Recently GLAAD's Central Region Media Field Strategist, Sarah Kennedy, visited Kansas City, Missouri, to participate in PROMO's Annual Equality Conference and engage local journalists in conversations about reporting on LGBT issues. Sarah arrived on Friday, in time to meet with the past and current board presidents of the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP) for breakfast. They discussed the state of local media and LGBT issues, and also laid groundwork for future collaborations between Sarah and the KCAVP's communications committee. Later that day, Sarah met with the Executive Director and Associate Director of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri to discuss their work on LGBT issues. Sarah was also able to speak with local journalists, including the editor of LGBT publication Camp KC, and the Readers' Representative of the Kansas City Star, one of the top 50 largest-circulation papers in the country. A big part of GLAAD's successful media advocacy work comes from our relationships with media. Our work with local community partners is also vital to success. GLAAD met up with supporters, members and staffers of PROMO at an event at one supporters' home Friday evening. The event was well-attended by both new and longstanding supporters. Local LGBT and LGBT-friendly politicians were on hand to talk about PROMO's great work throughout the state as well. Most memorable perhaps was when openly lesbian Sen. Jolie Justus addressed the crowd and talked about how vital PROMO's support was to her campaign win. Rounding out the weekend, Sarah presented a Media Essentials workshop to attendees of PROMO’s yearly Missouri Equality Conference, which brought together LGBT activists, faith leaders, college students and allies. All participants left the training with talking points and counsel on sharing their individual and organizational work with local media. Later in the conference, Sarah met with student activists and reporters from St. Louis’ Washington University to distribute copies of GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide for College Journalists. Sarah's trip to Missouri was a very productive and successful one, further building GLAAD's relationships while also helping to educate many advocates and allies.