Fund Me, KC: ‘Black Spartans’ returns with supernatural new chapter, summer crowdfunding push

Darkmoon Comics

Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses or lend a helping hand to others. This is an opportunity for business owners and innovators — like Brandon Calloway’s third installment of the “Black Spartans” series — to share their crowdfunding stories and potentially gain backing…

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Truth, not Troost: Ruby Jean’s founder wants East Side corridor renamed over slavery ties

Chris Goode, Ruby Jean's Juicery

Despite its widely-known street name, “Troost Avenue” does not accurately represent the small businesses, nonprofits and families along the increasingly dense Kansas City corridor, said Chris Goode. “So many beautiful efforts take place on Troost — from The Combine to Operation Breakthrough or Urban Cafe and Rockhurst University… We are all collectively pushing for community,…

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New focus will offer jobs to formerly incarcerated people on the path to second chance entrepreneurship, says nonprofit

Jamon Buford and Kyle J. Benson-Smith, Strong Start Make Readies, Determination, Incorporated

Kansas City-based Determination, Incorporated is refocusing its mission with a new social enterprise business that will directly place formerly incarcerated individuals into employment soon after they return home. Strong Start Make Readies is expected to provide jobs to people exiting incarceration as members of make ready crews at Kansas City area apartment complexes, single-family rental…

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Kauffman leader: Our economy can’t afford to leave half the population behind; there’s a new way forward

Wendy Guillies, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Wendy Guillies is president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Startland News is financially supported by the Kauffman Foundation and other sponsors. This commentary originally appeared in The Hill. I am not oblivious to the political divisions that dominate national news outlet…

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