Minority-Led Stories

Photos: Culture pops as Kritiq puts KC’s fashion family on the runway

The evolution of the Kritiq fashion show — from a one-night event to a full weekend showcasing up-and-coming artists and fashion designers in streetwear and high fashion — was an intentional effort to reflect Kansas City’s booming creative landscape, said Mark Launiu. “The culture [of Kansas City] is changing and we have to be a…

Dan Smith, The Porter House KC

KCultivator Q&A: Dan Smith coaches retail potential from within east side entrepreneurs

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. As Dan Smith looked around Kansas City, he saw his hometown continuously…

OHUB needs whole community to achieve vision of ecosystem inclusion, leaders say 

Opportunity Hub isn’t an exclusive club, said Rodney Sampson. “What I would like to see is greater collaboration with the existing players already on the ground,” explained Sampson, founder of the Opportunity Hub (OHUB), noting that his organization’s goal to foster entrepreneurship within Kansas City’s minority communities doesn’t mean animosity toward the broader startup landscape.  …

AccessAble Living

AccessAble Living: $10K prize will help AltCap Your Biz winner speed services to seniors

A medical supply startup designed to help Kansas Citians age in place earned judges’ seal of approval — and $10,000 — in the 2019 AltCap Your Biz Competition. “I hope this is a jumpstart for us to help solve a common healthcare problem,” said Dr. Brandy Archie, director of AccessAble Living, Wednesday night during Global…

Saturday MRKT, Justin Ikerionwu, By Design magazine

Saturday MRKT invites creatives, makers to vibe in a space with vintage grocery store feel

A crossroads for creative collisions is planned this weekend amid a celebration of street/pop culture, said Justin Ikerionwu. “[We want to] bring together the different members of the creative and entrepreneur community and through … conversations and overall just a great vibe, they can interact and form future collaborations,” said Ikerionwu, organizer of the Nov….