‘Mass shootings aren’t really stopping’: KC interns propose way to mitigate gun violence

Two interns in the Kansas City mayor’s office have proposed a solution to increasing the representation of young voices in conversations around gun reform, part of a citywide internship program where interns offer solutions to businesses.

Sophia Herrera, 16, and Krish Patel, 17, began the Wednesday presentation to the mayor’s office by acknowledging their hearts were with the victims of the most recent mass shootings.

The 19 children and two teachers killed at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

The ten Black people killed in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York.

The seven people killed during a Fourth of July parade in a Chicago suburb.

Herrera and Patel spent the last five weeks as interns researching how to encourage young adults to advocate for gun reform in the Kansas City region as part of a citywide internship program, ProX, designed to give young people authentic work opportunities.

“A lot of people want to advocate for that or have a passion possibly for advocating for (gun reform), but they might not know how to start,” Herrera said. “And so we wanted to have an opportunity for students to be able to have that starting point.”

Their solution: a Kansas City Youth Committee for Gun Reform.

“Our leaders are implementing laws,” Patel said, mentioning the bipartisan Safer Communities Act. “But these mass shooting aren’t really stopping. And I don’t think they’re focusing on the core issues.”

While also focusing on gun laws, Patel said, leaders need to focus on core issues such as educational and employment opportunities.

Their proposal would include a citywide committee, as well as chapters for local schools.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said Herrera and Patel helped the city address issues that it is usually reactive to. He said collective action from young people can make a huge difference.

Getting interns involved in the conversation around gun violence is also part of the mayor’s strategy to push for gun reform.

Lucas said his own internship with former Mayor Kay Barnes taught him that his voice matters. It was where Lucas learned that he didn’t have to think of sitting in the mayor’s office as just a dream.

“It was something I can really do,” Lucas said. “Whether it’s an internship at the mayor’s office or in public works or anywhere at City Hall, I want young people to know that they are key, actually, to the future of this city.”

What is ProX?

Herrera and Patel are just two of the more than 400 interns who were spread out among Kansas City employers this summer tasked with solving a variety of problems, from gun violence to affordable housing.

The 109 employers gave their interns a problem statement. The students came up with a solution.

They ended the program having developed communication skills, expanded their professional networks and new confidence to succeed in their careers. In addition to the plethora of skills students build, they are also paid $1,250 — which comes out to about $10 an hour over 25 hours for five weeks. Students receive professional development on Mondays and spend the rest of the week at their respective employers.

ProX director Thalia Cherry first started a program called Entrepreneurship KC.

“I saw there was this huge void around students having direct access to entrepreneurs and experiences,” said Cherry, who also founded local sports gear company Cherry Co. “I really wanted to utilize my platform and catalyst in my network to be able to give young people opportunities.”

Since then, Entrepreneurship KC blossomed into ProX with hundreds of students. This summer, there were double the number of opportunities than there were students, Cherry said.

“My favorite, favorite (part) is the connectivity of young people working collectively for a goal to solve a problem for businesses,” Cherry said. “We really want them to have high level experiences.”

What’s next?

The participants come from all sectors of the city, Cherry said.

“There’s this powerful connection that happens towards the end,” Cherry said, as it brings together students from urban, suburban and rural schools. “And the friendships that are developed, that is the most powerful piece. It really will transcend as they get older.”

Herrera, a rising senior at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, wants to be an immigration lawyer. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish. Also a rising senior, Patel attends Blue Springs South High School. He hopes to attend the University of California, Berkeley to study economics.

They learned how local government operates and even attended Gov. Mike Parson’s bill signing exempting the 2026 FIFA World Cup tickets from state and local taxes.

Patel said he started the summer shy, but ended more confident in his ability to speak and connect with others.

Herrera was able to utilize her bilingual skills and said she’ll take the lessons learned from the internship through the last year of high school and into college.

The best pitches from the interns will be selected Friday evening.