Our Founder

One does not have to search far to find where the roads for passion and poise meet. In a quest to uncover a combination of the rare attributes, you will find Kara P. Simmons standing at the intersection–gracefully painting a picture of what hard work and a charitable spirit looks like.

As a native of North Charleston, SC, Kara always challenged societal norms and questioned systems that disproportionately affected minority and marginalized communities. Knowing that she had the ability to “be the change”, she landed at Columbia College (Columbia, SC) as a Communication student. Earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and later her Master of Arts in Management and Leadership, Kara was ready to use her knowledge to lead change in the nonprofit and government realm.

Since 2010, she served in roles such as: Career Development Instructor for Remington College; Vita Program Tax Site Manager at The Cooperative Ministry; Special Projects Coordinator and Senior Project Manager of the Summer Leadership Institute for Columbia College. Her latest assignment was as a National Advancer on the Biden-Harris 2020 presidential campaign.

As the Founder and CEO of KP Connects, Kara maintains a reputation for premier brand management, streamlined and simplified strategic planning techniques, project management and event coordination. The powerhouse possesses a niche for helping others address and eliminate static from concepts. Her list of esteemed clients and partnerships include: The Honorable Mayor Steve Benjamin, Senator Vincent Sheheen, The Barack Obama Foundation, Dominion Energy, Avah’s Closet and the USC Black Alumni Association and Affiliates.

Kara has received numerous recognitions and awards for her dedication to community change. She was named one of the region’s ‘Best & Brightest 35 and Under’ by Columbia Business Monthly Magazine in 2016, a ‘Top 20 Under 40’ by the State Newspaper, one of 2020’s Top 20 Under 40 for Black Pages SC, and a member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Columbia Class of 2015. She was appointed as a board member for the Columbia Housing Authority, is member of the Junior League of Columbia and co-founded the No Boys Allowed College Tour. While she remains focused on her work, community will always be her primary area of dedication. Today, Kara maintains her roles as Adjunct Professor at her alma mater, and Executive Director of the Bethlehem Community Center.

The late Maya Angelou once said, “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can transform one million realities.” Simply put, Kara Simmons is a dreamer and deliverer of the change she wishes to see in the world.