Shop Small: 5 gifts supporting creators of color in Kansas City
November 24, 2023 | Taylor Wilmore
Editor’s note: This feature is the fourth in Startland News’ five-part holiday gift guide — presented in 2023 by nbkc bank — showcasing Kansas City makers and their products. Check out the featured maker below, then keep reading for five gift ideas to get started.
Embracing one’s roots is at the core of ParaMi’s identity, said Veronica Alvidrez, noting the name itself — “for me” in Spanish — establishes the apparel and home goods brand as a maker movement meant to spotlight and uplift Latina voices in KC.
Grounded by beloved holiday memories, co-founder Alvidrez described a favorite Christmas moment that ultimately laid the groundwork for ParaMi’s mission.
“The deep red poinsettias sitting on my grandmother’s table over the handmade white, crocheted tablecloth is an example of the types of memories that inspire what we do, ” said Alvidrez.
With ParaMi, she recognizes that culture and what home looks like to a person are not only integrated, but also play a part in forming who a person is or becomes.
“We know culture and the feeling of home are an important aspect of our identity,” she said. “We exist to create moments in your life that remind you of home and of the culture you come from.”
Alvidrez stands firm in her belief that supporting local creators of color is critical during the holiday season, and year-round.
“I believe we are better when we all thrive,” she said. Recognizing that creativity has no bounds, she emphasizes that artistic expression is universal.
“Creativity is unbiased; it belongs to everyone, and everyone should have a shot at sharing their creations,” said Alvidrez.
Veronica Alvidrez with her mother at the grand opening of ParaMi in September 2023; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
She also acknowledges the existing disparities in opportunities for creators, but believes in the power of consumer choice in driving change.
“Until we have equity in opportunities available to all creators, we, as consumers, must be equitable in our approach to whom we support,” she said.
Embracing diversity intentionally not only enriches consumers’ lives by integrating other cultures and perspectives, but it also creates a sense of collective purpose, said Alvidrez, who in addition to being an entrepreneur is the director of youth and community programs for Startland Education, a sister program of Startland News.
“I think this level of intentionality is not only what we need in our role as informed consumers, but it is also a lot of fun to be part of something bigger,” she said.
Keep reading for a selection of gift ideas from Kansas City creators of color.
Click here to check out more gift ideas from local makers.
5 gifts supporting creators of color in KC
¡No toques mis cosas! tote by ParaMI — $25
‘¡No toques mis cosas!’ translation: ‘don’t touch my things!’ This tie-dye ParaMI tote will be your new favorite grab and go! Vibrant and colorful just like you.
Available at ParaMI. Click here to shop online.
Vladimir Victorious by JQ Sirls — Hardcover $22, eBook $8
Young readers can join Lucy Brown’s magical transformation in ‘Vladimir Victorious’ by JQ Sirls as she enters the whimsical world of Fantoria—the cradle of imagination and birthplace of imaginary friends.
Available at The Black Pantry, Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Click here to shop books by JQ Sirls online.
Twin Volcanoes Blanket by Pancho’s Blanket — $135
This Mexican blanket, handwoven on century-old foot pedal looms by dedicated artisans, is a unique and timeless piece that you can take on your next adventure.
Available at Pancho’s Blanket. Click here to shop online.
Skincare Gift Bag by Herban — $47
Treat your skin to the best selling skincare products by Herban. Each bag includes African Black Liquid Soap, Mystical AF Massage Body Oil, and African Black Bar Soap.
Available at The Laya Center. Click here to shop Herban online.
RELATED: Laya Center expands with ‘Herban’ product line; earns top 50 honors from Square
Black Drip Coffee Renegade Blend — $16
For coffee enthusiasts – The Black Drip Coffee Renegade Special Blend, features medium-roasted whole beans sourced from Guatemala, Colombia, and Brazil. All harvested, washed and dried by farmers.
Available at The Blank Pantry. Click here to shop Black Drip coffee online.
Bonus stocking stuffers
Studio Lo Revolution Card Deck by TBP Studio — $30
This traditional deck of 54 playing cards has a powerful spin. This deck is meant to inspire by featuring the faces of iconic black figures from Malcolm X to Michelle Obama.
Available at The Black Pantry. Click here to shop TBP Studio online.
Smokey by Nature SmokeyDopalicious BBQ Sauce — $12
Smokey By Nature’s small-batch BBQ sauce, SmokeyDopalicious, lives up to its name with a sweet, smoky, and delicious flavor blend—an ideal complement for your BBQ meats and veggies.
Available at Made in KC. Click here to shop Smokey by Nature online.
About nbkc bank
At nbkc, we’re making banking what it should be: simple, transparent, and efficient. And we’re doing it across all of our services — checking, savings, business accounts, loans, and more. Simply said, what you see is what you get. Great customer service, awesome rates, and smart technology backed by smarter people. Named the strongest large bank in the Kansas City area1 and voted a Kansas City Business Journal Best Place to Work for six consecutive years. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 409631
1 From an analysis published on April 17, 2023, by the Kansas City Business Journal, comparing all banks with a presence in Kansas City and assets of $1 billion or more. The study used 2022 year-end data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to evaluate banks on eight metrics which, together, reflect banks’ financial wherewithal.
Taylor Wilmore
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.
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Tech startup Bungii is your new friend with a truck
“Hey, can I borrow you and your truck this weekend?” It’s a question dreaded by truck owners everywhere, and in April of 2015, it made Ben Jackson regret ever buying his 1999 Ford Ranger. Jackson — and his truck — had just finished an exhausting day helping friends make four hauls across Manhattan, Kan. The…
Google Fiber hops to new, pricier plans for businesses
All good things — or in this case inexpensive things — must come to an end. Google Fiber will soon nix early-access pricing for its gigabit business service and will more than double its costs for new customers in August. Google Fiber — which first arrived in Kansas City in 2012 with residential service —…
Amazon to bring 1,000 jobs, huge facility to KCK
Online retail giant Amazon will open a massive new facility in Kansas City, Kan. The Seattle-based company announced Monday that it will create more than 1,000 full-time jobs and construct an 855,000-square-foot fulfillment facility near the Turner Diagonal on I-70 in Kansas City, Kan. “These aren’t just any jobs. They are the best entry-level jobs our…
Survey: KC is sticky for startups with equity funding
A majority of Kansas City startups choose to maintain their hometown roots after they raise capital — even when the funds come from outside investors, a recent survey found. Of the companies that raised money in 2013 and 2014, 74 percent of them are still active and headquartered in the City of Fountains, according to…