Taylor Wilmore
Reporter, Startland News
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
Recent Stories by Taylor Wilmore
Curated to the core: How a chaplain-turned-entrepreneur is elevating streetwear to boost KC nonprofits
In a world of loud statement tees, sometimes the most impactful messages are quietly sewn into the tag, said Makenzy Jean, whose Kansas City-based apparel company partners with local nonprofits on brand-merging designs that give back to their community causes. “Streetwear is from the streets,” said Jean, founder of Associated Humanity and a former chaplain….
Crossroads small biz owners to Royals: Come back with a better plan (and put it in writing)
It didn’t have to be this way, said Crossroads business owners, blaming Tuesday’s failed stadium sales tax initiative on what they viewed as a lack of transparency and legally binding agreements, too many last-minute deals and changes, and a disregard for community input. Most, however, hope the conversation isn’t entirely finished. Jackson County voters this…
Voice of the Chiefs offers advice for startups: Stay hungry, humble and pointed toward your goal post
WICHITA, Kansas — Don’t settle for one winning season, Mitch Holthus — the longtime voice of the Kansas City Chiefs — told a group of startup founders, encouraging entrepreneurs to keep pushing forward before they find themselves hitting a professional plateau. “You celebrate milestones, but you don’t stay there,” said Holthus, comparing the average lifespan…
BlackBizFest aims to make Black-owned businesses top of mind for all KC consumers
Anticipation is growing for this spring’s debut BlackBizFest, said Marsha Willis, teasing a week-long celebration that puts Black excellence and entrepreneurship on full display. Among the standout elements of the May 13-19 festival: the Kansas City Black Expo and Black Business Ball & Honors. “We want people to put on their tourist hats, go participate,…
Why these Gen Z marketers want KC startups to channel the power of TikTok Shop
A Kansas City-built Gen Z ad agency is opening a TikTok Shop challenge this spring — scrolling through plans to elevate startups’ and small business’s social media brands and offer a chance to win $100,000 in services. TRNDSTTRS Media — ranked No. 3 in client revenue on TikTok — expects the challenge to run May…
‘Startup Weekend changed my life’: 3-day competition returns with potential $150K investment prize
COLUMBIA, Missouri — Organizers of Missouri Startup Weekend — a team-based competition that takes a glimmer of a startup idea to a fleshed-out business in three days — are upping the ante in an attempt to give Show-Me State entrepreneurs a platform to spark success. “Aspiring founders can find people who can help them build…
Advocate knocks mayor for Troost renaming delay; calls slave owner tie KC’s ‘dirty laundry, reeking from the basement’
Kansas City can no longer whitewash its history to pretend Benoist Troost — an early KC doctor, slave owner and the namesake for Troost Avenue — was anything other than a monster, said Chris Goode, pointing blame at Mayor Quinton Lucas for a stalled effort to change the east side corridor’s controversial name. “There’s no…
PHKC planning to open its retail incubator in mid-May; here’s a first look inside the east side space
A new space for entrepreneurs to test-run their retail businesses is envisioned as a 12- to 16-month stepping stone to their own permanent storefronts or locations, said Dan Smith, and the resource could be open as soon as this spring. “We’re preparing entrepreneurs to open their own brick and mortars on the east side,” said…
Google’s billion-dollar announcement comes with $100K for NKC schools; Here’s how they’ll use it
A $1 billion Google data center will begin impacting Kansas City before the tech giant officially opens its new facility in 2025, company and local officials said Wednesday, announcing a $100,000 investment to support North Kansas City schools. “This partnership is more than just about technology, It’s about empowerment,” said Dr. Rochel Daniels, school district…
$30K grand prize: Sisters embrace vegan comfort eats potential with Mattie’s Food’s big win
Arvelisha Woods and India Monique plan to use their grand prize winnings from Friday’s We Are Black pitch competition to invest in the community’s health, they said. Mattie’s Foods won $30,000 in the second annual G.I.F.T. event, which saw 10 Black-owned businesses vying for funding to fuel their business dreams. The winning co-founders of the…