These ‘Urban Heroes’ are helping evolve downtown KC; here’s why they’re on the right path
April 12, 2024 | Tommy Felts
In a prelude to today’s celebration of downtown Kansas City’s evolution and momentum, four “urban heroes” were honored Thursday for their passionate work to make downtown a more vibrant place to live, work, and play, organizers said.
Winners of the “Urban Hero Awards” ranged from honorees on the east side to the Crossroads and the downtown core — encompassing the wide swath of Kansas City represented by the Downtown Council of KC, which organized the awards along with today’s annual luncheon.
Jennifer Wampler, KC Ballet; Teresa Bolton, KC Public Library; and Bill Dietrich, Downtown Council of Kansas City; photo courtesy of Downtown Council of Kansas City
Among the latest round of urban heroes:
- HITIDES Coffee (Michele and Johnny Dawbarn)
- Vine Street Brewing (Kemet Coleman, Woodie Bonds, Jr., Elliott Ivory, Annie McGinnis)
- Allan Gray (The Zhou B Arts Center)
- Teresa Bolton (KC Public Library – Central Branch)
Vine Street Brewing previously was named one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024, as well as earning numerous brewing competitions and industry awards in recent months. The business — Kansas City’s first Black-owned brewery — was founded in 2023 in the city’s historic jazz district.
“At Vine Street Brewing, we’re not just crafting beer — we’re fermenting the ‘Kansas City spirit’ and blending the flavors of 18th & Vine to help foster Kansas City’s cultural identity on the world stage,” said Coleman, co-founder of the business. “We are deeply grateful to receive the Downtown Council’s Urban Hero Award and will continue to play our part in strengthening the heartbeat of our city.”
Jennifer Wampler, KC Ballet; Kemet Coleman, Elliott Ivory, Annie McGinnis, and Woodie Bonds, Jr., Vine Street Brewing; and Bill Dietrich, Downtown Council of Kansas City; photo courtesy of Downtown Council of Kansas City
Jennifer Wampler, KC Ballet; Johnny and Michele Dawbarn; and Bill Dietrich, Downtown Council of Kansas City; photo courtesy of Downtown Council of Kansas City
Down the street in Kansas City’s East Crossroads, HITIDES Coffee is among a growing handful of ventures for serial entrepreneurs Michele and Johnny Dawbarn, whose headquarters and tiki-themed space anchors the corner of 18th and Cherry streets.
“Being a community based business that provides a connecting space (HITDES) as well as fabrication services (Collective EX/sewKC), we’ve been able to continue to grow as we work together with others locally,” said Johnny Dawbarn. “Every project, event and partnership allows us to expand as Kansas City continues to evolve.”
“Being recognized like this just validates that what we are providing and the quality of work is relevant and meaningful,” he continued. “It’s what you really hope your original ideas will become in the beginning. This kind of recognition suggests you’re on the right path.”
Click here to check out past winners of the Urban Hero Awards.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
City challenges startup leaders to swap social media for in-person dialogue on regulation
Editor’s note: Rick Usher is a member of the Kansas City Startup Foundation’s policy committee, and Sarah Shipley is a board member for KCSF, the parent organization of Startland News. This piece was independently produced. There’s a void of shared awareness between city government and the startup community, Rick Usher said. That’s why government officials and leaders…
8-year-old Raytown entrepreneur strings together jewelry business
Raelynn Heath’s bling is inspiring, her mother said. The 8-year-old entrepreneur has spent half her life developing a brand built on crafting original jewelry and repairing broken pieces, she said. “We take a little bit of the old and the new and the practical,” said Regina Lastiee-Heath. Young Raelynn markets her jewelry on Facebook and…
Firebrand Ventures inks $17.7M for oversubscribed seed fund
Kansas City-based seed fund Firebrand Ventures has crushed its original goal to create a $7 million seed fund for startups in the Midwest. Led by investor and former Techstars managing director John Fein, the fund raised $17.7 million for tech ventures in the Midwest, exceeding its initial goal by about 250 percent, said Fein. “I’m…
Integrated Roadways testing smart pavement tech in Colorado
Integrated Roadways is launching a pilot test of its smart pavement technology in Colorado in an effort to save lives. In partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation, Integrated Roadways will install one-half-mile of its smart pavement technology on U.S. 285 near Fairplay, Colorado. The technology, which makes roadways touch-sensitive to vehicle positions, will collect…