Minority-Led Stories
Startup veterans hope to save community banks from fintech ‘feeding frenzy’
The future of small business lending has arrived — and it’s being built by a team of Kansas City tech veterans, at a critical time for the industry, said Hugh Khan. “Small financial institutions are dying; they’re going away. Since the Great Recession, 40 percent are gone,” added Khan, founder and principal of Highploom. “They’re not…
How two hungry vegan sisters went from making queso to their own storefront on Holmes
Arvelisha Woods and India Monique just wanted to style hair and eat nachos, the duo said, breaking into laughter. “It all started with being hungry,” Monique recalled, with Woods emphasizing the “hungry.” The sisters behind Mattie’s Foods went on a fast in 2015 as part of their mission work. They took what they loved the…
As seen on Troost (and Ellen): Plus-size thrift store owner uses momentum to inspire others
Alesha Bowman had plans March 15 to celebrate the two-year anniversary of her plus-size thrift store, UnLESHed+, by opening a new storefront on the historic Troost Avenue. But on March 14, a nationwide pandemic forced Bowman’s plans to be entirely reworked. “You just have to pivot,” Bowman said, noting that she used Facebook and Instagram…
Guadalupe Centers gala, ofrenda pass from physical to virtual world; pandemic could reshape cultural traditions
It’s not a normal year, Alyx Bartrom said, acknowledging the obvious and embracing opportunities to innovate a more-than-30-year-old community tradition. “You have to either adapt or you get left behind,” Bartrom, director of fund development and marketing for Guadalupe Centers, said of the century-old non-profit and social service agency’s upcoming Blanco y Negro Awards Gala…
Google’s $100K cash prize keeps Healthy Hip Hop dancing toward ‘Tik Tok for kids’ status
With a new cash infusion from the Google Black Founders Fund, Roy Scott said Healthy Hip Hop is ready to perfect the next generation of its youth entertainment and education tech, strengthen the company’s sales and marketing efforts and hire a C-suite level employee. “We found our niche in the tech space, and it’s how…
