Minority-Led Stories
Crafted within hip hop culture, Black-owned KC cannabis brand hopes to reshape a flowering industry
It isn’t enough to be first, Ronald Rice said, announcing Franklin’s Stash House’s entry into Greenlight stores — a move that sees the Kansas City cannabis company become the first Black-owned brand sold at a dispensary in the state. “While this deal represents a big milestone in the evolution of Missouri’s cannabis industry, the legacy of…
KC grassroots effort taps $225K funding pipeline to expand DEI education for KC students, corporate training
A year after Black Lives Matter demonstrations opened minds across the nation, Jamie Grayson sees progress in Kansas City, the home of his own movement, designed to disrupt division by celebrating commonalities. Newly announced this week: three sizable grants for Grayson’s People of All Colors Succeed (POAC), a nonprofit organization committed to breaking systemic cycles of bullying and…
‘Give Black’ campaign hits nearly $100K in donations for Black-run businesses, orgs
Editor’s note: Give Black and Kansas City GIFT are non-financial partners of Startland, the parent organization of Startland News. This story was produced independently by Startland News’ non-profit newsroom. A campaign to boost eight Black-owned businesses and organizations in Kansas City during the week of Juneteenth surpassed its goal this month, but the work is…
Ford opens door to July 29 pitch competition, $50K in prizes for women entrepreneurs
The Ford Motor Company Fund is bringing a new pitch competition — and $50,000 in prizes — to Kansas City this summer as part of its effort to boost women social entrepreneurs. Announced during the final moments of last week’s HI-HERImpact virtual entrepreneurship summit for Kansas City, the planned July 29 competition is part of a national…
‘What we’re doing matters’: On-demand marketing startup honored as top ‘emerging’ KC business
A never-give-up attitude and an appreciation for every opportunity that comes their way continues to fuel the founding duo behind Kansas City-built The Market Base. “We’re just glad to be recognized for our relentless pursuit,” Milad Ghasempour, co-founder and COO, said moments after the startup was named Emerging Business Award winner by the Greater Kansas…
