Minority-Led

From exclusive to expansive: What Pipeline’s first hire in three years (and a $3M grant) mean for its efforts to close region’s resource gap

By Tommy Felts / February 23, 2023

Kansas City — and the world — miss out when the potential contributions of promising entrepreneurs goes untapped, said Don Carter, pointing to Pipeline Pathfinder’s impact on minority, women, and rural-based entrepreneurs. “There are so many people doing so many dope things, so many cool things in the world, but they just aren’t connected to…

A new credit union on Prospect aims to be the pebble that causes a ripple effect east of Troost

By Tommy Felts / February 21, 2023

‘Moving individuals out of that payday loan cycle into a banking cycle’ The recent opening of a new credit union with a mission to serve residents of Kansas City’s east side marks a key milestone along “a long road” to build generational wealth for those historically disadvantaged. Since 2007, Dee Evans has been part of…

Influencer vows to ‘keep it smooth’ amid TikTok career highs, family health lows

By Tommy Felts / February 17, 2023

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Spark MHK,  a non-profit, community-based hub of programming and networks designed to connect entrepreneurs, startups and small business owners to each other and the larger ecosystem in the Greater Manhattan area. Click here to read the original story. The day JahVelle Rhone learned he’d been accepted to TikTok’s 100…

Hot biskuits on the rise: Classically-trained chef brings long lines, culture, collaboration to North KC 

By Tommy Felts / February 17, 2023

Guroux Khalifa had $150 to his name when he set out to serve the best biscuits Kansas City ever tasted, he shared.  “A lot of painstaking work, time, love and passion has been put into creating this amazing product. The people who really understand the value and quality of that product have stuck around and…

Dolphin Tank makes a splash with women in tech: Meet the next three founders pitching

By Tommy Felts / February 17, 2023

The Dolphin Tank pitch showcase returns to Kansas City this month with a trio of women-led tech startups riding a wave of heightened exposure for their ventures. Now in its second year in Kansas City, Springboard Enterprises’ Dolphin Tank is set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Polsinelli, 900 W. 48th…