All Stories

Yoli Tortilleria, Drastic Measures among 7 local restaurants, bars named James Beard semifinalists

By Tommy Felts / January 26, 2023

Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Kansas City is well represented in the national food competition this year — with The Town Company, Yoli Tortilleria, Drastic Measures and…

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Diverse startups are growing in KC, but is equitable funding matching their traction?

By Tommy Felts / January 26, 2023

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Kansas City Beacon, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. While Kansas City has ample resources for the growing number of budding entrepreneurs, BIPOC…

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The Nelle — a ‘third space’ for women and LGBTQ+ creatives — closing its doors Jan. 31

By Tommy Felts / January 26, 2023

Lauren Saks Merriman is proud of The Nelle HQ’s two years in the Crossroads Arts District, she said, recalling its impact as a genuine environment for empowered thought, inclusion and connection. “We set out to offer a safe space for inspiration and community,” said Merriman, founder of The Nelle. “And that’s exactly what we’ve accomplished.” …

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nbkc partners with Acorns as Kansas City bank deposits expanded fintech focus

By Tommy Felts / January 25, 2023

A move by nbkc bank to provide Banking as a Service (BaaS) solutions to Acorns — a leading saving and investing app — is part of a broader strategy to invest in fintech companies without bank charters, said Melissa Eggleston. “We see a lot of potential as fintechs are taking off around the country. These…

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2023 is about ‘going deeper’: Startups to Watch gathers founders from streetwear, tech to NFTs, Esports (Event Photos)

By Tommy Felts / January 25, 2023

Storytelling brings communities together, said Austin Barnes, as nearly 200 of the region’s corporate, small business and startup leaders gathered for Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2023 reception and awards presentation.  “Startups to Watch is an opportunity for Startland News to do what it does best — amplify the story of entrepreneurship…

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What’s in a name? KC filmmakers’ documentary short finds ‘Black joy,’ Sundance premiere in reclaiming a family name

By Tommy Felts / January 25, 2023

Names hold a person’s legacy and connect them to their past. Names are individualistic while also a representation of family units. Names are the first thing people own in the world, said Kansas City filmmakers Sharon Liese and Catherine Hoffman.  The duo came together to tell the complicated, yet joyous, story of the Parker family.…

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KC is the nation’s leading exporter of authenticity; How a city with no oceans or mountains gets it right

By Tommy Felts / January 25, 2023

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Matthew Mellor is interim CEO for Startland, the parent organization of Startland News. What is it about Kansas City? Even people from Kansas City struggle with the “but why.” “Everyone who’s been to Kansas City says it’s someplace special. But why?” As Kansas…

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SnapIT’s founder builds tech company’s mission overseas while growing talent pool in Kansas

By Tommy Felts / January 23, 2023

Employers across the globe need access to tech talent as demand for skilled IT workers surges, said Neelima Parasker, noting her Overland Park-based firm writes critical coding for the solution.  “What we provide is unique in the sense that we are producing tech talent the fastest through microcredentials,” said Parasker, the founder and CEO of…

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How this reality TV star is using his platform to help tech students start life-changing careers without heavy debt

By Tommy Felts / January 23, 2023

Nehemiah Clark stands at the crossroads of reality TV and inclusive tech education. As a former cast member on MTV’s “The Real World: Austin” and a frequent competitor on the Paramount+ “The Challenge” series, Clark leverages his audience to further the mission of SnapIT Solutions, he shared. “On [‘The Challenge’], I’ve talked about what I…

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How Charlie Hustle’s wholesale expansion, collegiate licensing is growing its brand beyond the KC Heart

By Tommy Felts / January 23, 2023

Chase McAnulty is on a mission to build Charlie Hustle into a national brand, he shared, without losing the company’s roots in Kansas City. “We’ve really driven the narrative that not only celebrates culture, but civic pride. It’s a challenge to go to these other markets and give them their version of the KC Heart,…

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