South KC Perspective
Center High School honors physician and attorney as distinguished alumni
By John Sharp
Distinguished alumni awards were presented April 10 to Dr. Mark Kahler, Center High School class of 1970, and Ese’ Ighedosa, class of 2005, by the Center Education Foundation at its annual celebration of the accomplishments of Center alumni and fundraiser for its teacher grant program.
The awards are presented to Center alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers or through their community service since graduation.
Kahler is a co-founder of College Park Family Care which has become one of the largest family care practices in the metropolitan area with over 90 physicians.
In addition to the medical care Kahler and his associates have provided to thousands of area families, Kahler also has donated countless hours of service to numerous health care missions throughout the world.
Kahler received his medical degree from the University of Missouri and received further medical training here at Baptist Medical Center.
Ighedosa is an attorney who has chalked up a long list of firsts for an African-American woman working in the white male dominated world of professional sports executives while promoting diversity and social involvement.
Beginning her legal career with the National Football League, Ighedosa helped start the Black Engagement Network to provide support and resources to African-Americans in pro sports which successfully advocated for the NFL to respond more strongly to racial injustice.
Ighedosa went on to become associate counsel for the Carolina Panthers NFL team where she led the Player Impact Committee that advised Panthers players on community engagement and social justice.
Last year she founded the House of Athlete, a Florida-based company that focuses on wellness, performance and social involvement for high level athletes. She also is continuing to serve as a founding Advisory Committee member of the Pro Sports Assembly, a national organization of professional sports executives committed to diversity, equity and social responsibility.
Ighedosa earned her bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and received her law degree from Florida A&M.
This year’s virtual event was broadcast live on Facebook on the Foundation’s website and featured a video tribute to longtime music educator Don Shaffer; appearances by Superintendent Dr. Yolanda Cargile, alumni, students and teachers; a Yellowjacket trivia contest; raffle; and silent auction.