Minority-Led Stories
KCMO investing $900K in entrepreneur support as advocates push for more funding
The City of Kansas City, Missouri, has budgeted an $900,000 investment in its KC BizCare Office as part of a broader plan to better support the metro’s entrepreneur community While advocates from within Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community love the city as much as its next fan, they acknowledge it can be a tough place to…
Meet the Small Biz of the Year finalists: KC Chamber surprises Top 10 Mr K contenders
The Kansas City Chamber just unveiled its hotly anticipated Top 10 finalists for the 2024 Small Business of the Year honor — surprising leaders from a wide range of industries with their tickets to the next round of the city’s most prestigious business competition. “This year, 60 candidates applied for awards, and we were awed…
Growing movement by Black farmers seeds plan to honor land, ancestors while cultivating better health
Dina Newman wanted to reclaim Black growers’ seat at the table — helping an overlooked community in Kansas City create their own healthy and affordable food systems to nourish themselves. “When I’m talking food system, I’m talking from a seed to plant,” said Newman, founder of Kansas City Black Urban Growers (KCBUGS). “When you look…
KCK milkman reclaims his passion for painting; splattering pop art portraits of KC sports stars, celebrity icons
While his pieces don’t feature happy, little trees, David Alston’s pop culture-inspired portraits still reflect the influence of the iconic painter Bob Ross. About a decade ago, a chance viewing of the well-known artist’s PBS show “The Joy of Painting” — Alston’s youngest son accidentally left the TV on before leaving for school — inspired…
UMKC pitch competition brings validating relief, cash prizes for emerging founders with big ideas
A popular UMKC pitch competition awarded more than $80,000 in cash prizes to student and full-time entrepreneurs Friday — validating new ideas and emerging ventures alike. “I never saw anything like this when I was in college,” said Dr. Brandy Archie, founder of AskSAMIE, who competed in a category especially for established startups at the University…
