Minority-Led Stories

LeAna Flores, H&R Block

It’s a ‘movement, not just a moment’; H&R Block audits impact of Black excellence, businesses

Reading is among the best way to learn about Black history, said Willa Robinson, the founder and owner of Willa’s Books & Vinyl. “I’m grateful to be able to educate people about what’s going on in the Black community through books. There’s so much history on what we have experienced, what we have accomplished,” said…

The Field of Legends Puzzle Set, pictured at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

New bobblehead set replicates one of KC’s most iconic museum experiences for Black History Month

A new collection of bobbleheads is calling attention to the impact made by legends of the Negro Leagues — and offering fans and local enthusiasts the opportunity to recreate a Kansas City historical attraction at home. “These are the first bobbleheads to replicate the iconic Field of Legends,” explained Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the…

AltCap team at the 2021 AltCap Your Biz competition during GEW KC

Kauffman grants $5.3M to AltCap to help those overlooked by lenders access capital

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News. A significant new grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is expected to help AltCap support the capitalization and administration of a fund that increases access to capital for entrepreneurs in distressed areas of Kansas City and for those whose credit applications…

Isaac Collins, Yogurtini

Building a business is a lonely journey, says serial risk-taker; but access to resources can grow Black community, generational wealth

Editor’s note: SCORE is an advertiser with Startland News, though this report was produced independently by the nonprofit newsroom. Forget the fluff, said Isaac Collins. Kansas City’s SCORE Community Strategic Alliance (SCSA) is planning a KC Business Ecosystem for Black Entrepreneurs webinar that will leave attendees with constructive teachings that they can bring into today,…

Una Familia Tequila

New tequila, same family: Why you’ll miss all the shots you don’t take of this soon-to-be iconic KC spirit

They’re among Kansas City’s most popular brands, Andy Miller said, distilling just how crucial it is for the minds behind Spanish Gardens, Perez, and Silva’s to get it right as they launch a new brand: Una Familia Tequila. “There were sleepless nights,” recalled Miller, founder of Una Familia and COO of Spanish Gardens Foods — the…