Mary Esselman
Kauffman earmarks $32M in grants to boost entrepreneurship, workforce, education efforts
Just-announced Kauffman Foundation funding for a cohort of 27 organizations — each focused on advancing economic mobility in Kansas City — reflects the grantees’ “relentless commitment to innovation and equity,” said Allison Greenwood Bajracharya. “Rather than being defined by the challenges our communities face, they’re defining what’s possible — building on the brilliance and resilience…
This weekend only: Festive balloon wonderland inflates holiday spirit at 18th and Vine
More than 125,000 biodegradable balloons are lifting holiday spirits this weekend in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. The Big Balloon Build — an international festival — is popping up Dec. 2-4 at the Gregg/Klice Community Center. Led by Peyton Westfall and Darren Huffman of Kansas City’s Pop Culture Sculptures, more than 70 balloon…
Make48 reality TV series plans maker competition at School for the Blind in KCK
Make48 might be entering its sixth season, but the Kansas City-based, maker-focused reality series is still evolving, said Tom Gray. For the first time, the Make48 competition is set to take place in the makerspace at the Kansas State School for the Blind in Kansas City, Kansas. The teams in this year’s last City Series…
Donations honoring late podcast host, comedian fund ‘place of peace’ for young creators; recording studio dedicated to Mathew George
Friends and family of the late podcast host Mathew George gathered to celebrate the dedication of Operations Breakthrough’s newly-debuted recording studio on what would have been Mathew’s 27th birthday. “What could have been a really depressing day was more celebratory, like it would have been if he were still here,” shared Mary Ann George, mother…
New in KC: How Travis Kelce lured Pennsylvania startup inventXYZ (and its team) to Kansas City
Editor’s note: New in KC is an ongoing profile series that highlights newly relocated members of the Kansas City startup community, their reasons for a change of scenery, and what they’ve found so far in KC. This series is sponsored by C2FO, a Leawood-based, global financial services company. Click here to read more New in KC profiles. Nikil Ragav’s journey to…
