Minority-Led Stories

Tammy Buckner, WeCode KC

Community Builders to Watch: Tammy Buckner codes new career path for teens, a ‘Scouts’ for technology

Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing five Kansas City changemakers from five local organizations through its second annual Community Builders to Watch series. The following highlights one of the 2022 honorees, selected from more than 100 initial nominees. Click here to view the full list of Community Builders to Watch — presented by Engenious Design. Tammy…

Kharissa Forte, Holistic Hustle, Grace & Grind

Urgent culture: Let your brain breathe by setting, enforcing work boundaries (Holistic Hustle)

Kharissa Forte is a writer, certified health coach, and columnist for Startland News. Read her “Holistic Hustle” columns for Startland News here. For more of her self-care tips on how to keep your cup full, visit graceandgrind.co. Truth be told, urgent culture isn’t anything new, but it’s a problem that seems to be impacting more…

The Next Paige Agency

Alchemy Sandbox awards 5 more grants: Lean into failure to make your business ‘worthy to win’

Success isn’t always immediate, Elaina Paige Thomas said, grateful for lessons learned through trial and error, as well as a firm belief that persistence pays off.  “What I originally thought my business needed was not seen as a necessity to my panel of judges,” said Thomas, founder of The Next Paige Agency, recalling an experience…

Benay Shannon, Restless Spirits Distilling Company

‘HERstory’ roundtable distills women entrepreneur’s restless spirits into June 4 celebration

When women are at the helm, there’s herstory to be made. A new Kansas City-based conference hopes to showcase it.  “The Sewing Labs proudly presents, Make’n HERstory, a celebration of women who use their creative muse to make a living and a life,” the nonprofit organization said, teasing its Saturday, June 4 conference experience.  The…

Derecka Purnell

Two Black, women-owned bookstores open conversation on police abolition; Why this UMKC alumna says it could reduce gun violence in KC

Two of Kansas City’s newest Black-, woman-owned bookshops are teaming up to host Derecka Purnell — human rights lawyer, author and University of Missouri-Kansas City alumna — for a community discussion on police abolition and eliminating harm.  Aya Coffee + Books and BLK + BRWN are presenting “Community Book Chat with Derecka Purnell” 6:30 p.m….