Midwest Book Beat is built by people who care about books, community, and making it easier for readers to find the writers, bookstores, events, and literary spaces worth knowing.
Community firstEst. 2024501(c)(3) nonprofit
Leadership
A small team with a big map.
Our roots are in Kansas City, but our work keeps expanding. The leadership team brings together communications, nonprofit development, events, operations, and financial oversight to support literary communities across the region.
01
Founder & Executive Director
Staci Hubbard
Staci Hubbard is the Founder and Executive Director of Midwest Book Beat, where she leads grant development, community partnerships, literary programming, publications, and organizational strategy. She holds a master's degree in Communication and Leadership from Park University and a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from the University of Maryland Global Campus. With more than 15 years of experience in higher education, communications, and program development, Staci is committed to creating inclusive opportunities for authors, readers, and community partners.
02
President
Matthew Hawkins
Matthew Hawkins is President of Midwest Book Beat and owner of Hawkins Events, bringing more than 20 years of experience in event production, logistics, and community building. After losing his leg in a 2008 accident, Matthew founded Adaptive Skate Kollective, a nonprofit that spent a decade proving what's possible when community shows up for people. That same conviction drives his work with Midwest Book Beat. A poet himself, Matthew brings both the operational precision of a seasoned event professional and the creative perspective of someone who believes deeply in what stories can do.
03
Interim Treasurer
Dane Hubbard
Dane Hubbard is Interim Treasurer of Midwest Book Beat and owner of H3 Answers LLC. With a background in facilities management, project coordination, and budgeting, Dane helps make sure the details are handled so the mission can move forward. He supports Midwest Book Beat through financial oversight, operational planning, and the steady, practical problem-solving that keeps an organization running.
How we work
Community is the point.
Show up.Build relationships with authors, readers, bookstores, businesses, and community partners.
Make room.Create opportunities that welcome more voices and make literary community easier to enter.
Share the story.Help people discover the writers, places, and events shaping literary life across the Midwest.
Keep building.Turn good ideas into programs, partnerships, publications, and experiences that can grow.
Get involved
There is room in the next chapter.
Want to volunteer, collaborate, support the work, or bring us an idea? Midwest Book Beat runs on people who are willing to show up for literary community.
