Black Pantry coming to Midtown: Boutique for Black-owned essentials opening storefront in shared space with Made in KC

Brian Roberts, The Black Pantry

When an opportunity pops up, make it permanent, said Brian Roberts, teasing the opening next month of The Black Pantry’s first brick-and-mortar storefront. The 650-square-foot space on the revitalized Martini Corner in Midtown is expected to open in early April: the product of an evolving partnership with the team at Made in KC. Roberts originally…

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Not all entrepreneurs wear capes: Chamber’s ‘Superstars’ campaign unmasks heroes of KC business scene

Juaquan Herron, Scarlet Knight

A critical need is driving changes to one of Kansas City’s longest-running annual business events: support for every small business — no matter their scale or the neighborhoods in which they belong.   “This is a time like no other,” explained Vicky Kulikov, small business director for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, detailing changes to…

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Why Husch Blackwell’s free legal counsel to minority-led small businesses could create a ‘ripple effect’ in KC and beyond

Quinncy McNeal, Husch Blackwell

Editor’s note: The following commentary, sponsored by Husch Blackwell, is the second in a two-part series looking at an initiative at one of the city’s largest law firms to provide pro bono legal representation to minority businesses. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Quinncy McNeal is pro bono counsel at Husch…

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