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IT firm honored as ‘Emerging Business of the Year’ finds inclusive welcome in Kansas City
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. NvisionKC — founded during the throes of the pandemic — more than survived 2020, Grace Ahn said; the IT consulting company is positioned for power, earning the…
Chamber makes history with Mr. K winner, first Black woman-owned company to earn Small Biz of the Year
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Fahteema Parrish built a foundation for success in Kansas City by stepping outside her comfort zone, the Parrish & Sons Construction founder said; Wednesday’s win as the…
Photos: Rebooted Startup Crawl reconnects entrepreneurs with a curious Kansas City
Kansas City’s Power & Light District was crawling with curiosity Friday as a sellout crowd made its rounds, participating in the recently revived Startup Crawl event and exploring a new side of the city they call home. “We saw a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces,” said Austin Barnes, executive editor of Startland News and…
Give Black campaign returns, aiming to recapture energy needed to close racial wealth gap
The 2023 Give Black KC campaign kicked off Monday, beginning the annual week of fundraising efforts focused on supporting Black-led nonprofits in Kansas City in an effort to achieve racial equity. This year’s fundraiser will benefit four organizations: Be Great Together, Front Porch Alliance, WeCode KC, and Kansas City G.I.F.T. Brandon Calloway, CEO and co-founder…
Too many gyms leave people with disabilities to the wolves, says Wesley Hamilton; his solution: become a wolf yourself
Wesley Hamilton’s latest project — an inclusive gym in Westport — provides community and a comfortable environment for other people with disabilities, the entrepreneur-turned-reality TV personality and advocate shared. Hamilton, founder of the Disabled But Not Really Foundation and Kansas City social entrepreneur, opened the doors to his new training hub at 3939 Washington St….
Pride Month campaign at Lifted Spirits celebrates humanity’s brilliant creations: humans, founder says
Michael Stuckey’s personal commitment to equitable treatment for all people made a Pride Month initiative for Kansas City distillery Lifted Spirits a no-brainer, he said — even as multinational brands like Bud Light and Target have seen backlash to pro-LGBTQIA+ campaigns. “It’s not a complex issue to me, honestly,” said Stuckey, founder of Lifted Spirits….
Their one-night concert event boosts Band of Angels; Why this duo turned up the volume for fifth year on stage
Music connects community in ways other mediums cannot, said Amber Giangregorio. “Life can be so serious sometimes, so it’s good to take a step back and have some fun. On Stage with SIS is all about having fun, while also supporting a good cause. It’s a time for our clients and community to get to…
Chef behind The Prospect KC selected for accelerator focused on employment, social impact
An emerging Kansas City culinary icon will help lead the way among socially-engaged entrepreneurs creating a more inclusive economy that helps overlooked individuals move workforce barriers to the back burner. Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant is among 18 employment social enterprise leaders from across the country chosen by leading venture philanthropy REDF (the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund)…
Global capital network selects IoT startup as its first ‘Endeavor Entrepreneur’ candidate from KC
Endeavor Heartland, the Northwest Arkansas-based division of a global network built to support high-impact entrepreneurs, has officially made its first foray into the Kansas City market, the organization announced. Pepper, a full-stack Internet of Things (IoT) platform-as-a-service provider, in May became the inaugural company from the Kansas City region to join Endeavor’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Shawn…
New CEO for KC Fashion Week; transition keeps an industry champion on the runway
A shift in leadership at Kansas City Fashion Week is expected to emphasize the brand’s commitment to showcasing and promoting local and national talent within the industry, its outgoing executive said. “The future of the fashion industry in Kansas City is in the best possible hands,” said co-founder and CEO Philip Willoughby, announcing the sale…
