End-of-life care platform wins top UMKC prize in young startup’s first-ever pitch competition 

Serving as someone’s informal caregiver is a rewarding experience, but the pressure of being fully responsible for taking care of a loved one can take a toll on a person physically and mentally, acknowledged Nicole Staab and Rachel Blankenship. Through their startup, Rings of Care KC, they are providing support and resources for informal caregivers…

Brewkery closing its North KC kombucha taproom as ‘Lucky Elixir’ production heats up

Five years after opening its popular North Kansas City hot spot, the Brewkery — home of Lucky Elixir Kombucha — is moving and closing its taproom, co-founder Amy Goldman shared.  With its lease about to end and rent increasing substantially, Goldman said, the move makes sense for the growing kombucha business. Although it’s bittersweet to…

Variety entertainer’s magic trick: Knowing whether his audience wants a clown (or Ruby in drag)

Dennis Porter’s success as a performer is scripted by the North Kansas City native’s talent at reading a room — adapting his jokes and wide variety of entertainment styles to fit the audience. If he’s doing it right, one of Porter’s characters brings a healthy grin to their happy faces, he said. “I am over-blessed…

Broadband internet is no longer a luxury; meet a group bringing access to KC’s most underserved children, families

Editor’s note: The following is the second in a series of stories focused on digital inclusion efforts in Kansas City, and is presented by Google Fiber. Those seeking change and equity in a rapidly evolving world of tech access must go directly to the people in need if they wish to truly eradicate the digital…

GIFT hopes NFL Draft visitors touch down at Saturday’s Black Business Market; nonprofit passes $1M in grants given 

Packed streets for the NFL Draft around Union Station and downtown this week could mean added traffic to Saturday’s Black Business Market on Kansas City’s east side, said Brandon Calloway. “We’re gonna drive as many people over here so they see the vibrancy that can happen on Prospect, as well as exposing a lot of…