James H. Block Scholarship Fund Celebrates 15+ Years of Supporting the Next Generation of Hospitality Professionals

Contact Information:
Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association
Trey Meyers | Director of Marketing & Communications
(913) 302-7079
treym@morestaurants.org

Block & Company, Inc., Realtors
Sara Zahner | Vice President of Marketing
816.412.7319
szahner@blockandco.com

Longstanding partnership between Block & Company, Inc., Realtors and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association has awarded $34,000 to 19 students pursuing culinary and hospitality careers

KANSAS CITY, Mo—The James H. Block Scholarship Fund is continuing its longstanding commitment to developing the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals, awarding scholarships to four students in 2026 while celebrating more than 15 years of impact in the Greater Kansas City community.

Established in 2010 through a partnership between Block & Company, Inc., Realtors and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association (GKCRA), the James H. Block Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to students pursuing education and careers in culinary arts, hospitality, and related fields.

Since its inception, the fund has awarded approximately $34,000 in scholarships to 19 students, helping recipients further their education and prepare for careers within the restaurant and hospitality industry.

2026 James H. Block Scholarship Recipients
This year, the James H. Block Scholarship Fund is proud to recognize four students
from across the Greater Kansas City region and Missouri:

• Caleb Rayson—Independence, Missouri


• Ella Dorton—Lenexa, Kansas


• Ashton Allen—Independence, Missouri


• Aiden Patten—Lexington, Missouri

The 2026 recipients were recognized during the annual Gilbert/Robinson Awards
Dinner, held this year at Johnson County Community College. The annual event brings
together restaurant owners, operators, hospitality professionals, community partners,
and emerging industry leaders to celebrate the individuals who make Kansas City's
restaurant community exceptional.

In addition to honoring outstanding professionals across the restaurant industry, the
Gilbert/Robinson Awards Dinner recognizes students pursuing hospitality and culinary
careers and celebrates the industry's future.

"The James H. Block Scholarship Fund represents exactly what we hope to accomplish through our education and workforce efforts, connecting the strength of today's restaurant community with the future of our industry," said Natasha Fuller, Event Coordinator with the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association."For more than 15 years, this scholarship has helped students pursue their passion for hospitality and culinary arts, and we are proud to recognize Caleb, Ella, Ashton and Aiden as this year's recipients."

The scholarship reflects the longstanding relationship between Block & Company and
the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association and a shared commitment to
strengthening the restaurant and hospitality workforce through education and
professional development.

By continually investing in students, the James H. Block Scholarship Fund has built a
meaningful legacy in Kansas City's hospitality community. This investment supports not
only individual students but also the future workforce and leadership of the restaurant
industry.

"The James H. Block Scholarship Fund holds deep meaning because it celebrates my
father's lasting legacy while investing in the future of Kansas City's culinary arts," said David M. Block, President | Principal of Block & Company, Inc., Realtors.

About the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association
The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association (GKCRA), a chapter of the Missouri Restaurant Association (MRA), represents and supports the restaurant and hospitality community throughout the Greater Kansas City region. Through advocacy, education, workforce development, networking and industry programming, the association works to strengthen the restaurant industry and the professionals who make it successful.

About Block & Company, Inc., Realtors
Block & Company, Inc. Realtors is a full service commercial real estate company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri since its inception in 1946. The firm's services include brokerage, development, investment, asset/property management, tenant representation, and corporate real estate services. Our commercial brokerage specializes in restaurant, retail, automotive, hotel, industrial, office, shopping center/development, commercial investments, asset/property management, and many other real estate services. With transactions extending to 187 cities in 35 states, Block & Company manages millions of square feet of retail, restaurant, office, and industrial space. Block & Company is proud to be known as one of the Midwest's premier full service real estate organizations, consistently ranked among the industry leaders by trade magazines, local business publications, and our industry peers.