Minority-Led

Their engineering firm built a legacy in KC; why these KC Chamber winners are rebranding

By Tommy Felts / June 17, 2025

A streamlined brand identity for one of the Midwest’s most influential engineering firms positions “T&B” as one of the secret weapons behind the evolution of Kansas City, the company announced, just moments after earning a top small business award from the KC Chamber. Taliaferro & Browne — the first minority-owned engineering firm to receive a…

Why a rival baseball icon joined the roster for this KC museum’s big league upgrade

By Tommy Felts / June 13, 2025

Baseball hall of famer Reggie Jackson values the 18th and Vine district’s rich history, he said Wednesday, but the Yankees icon known as “Mr. October” by fans across the globe is even more excited about what the Kansas City cultural hub’s future holds. “If I can be a part of that, I’m absolutely thrilled to…

Federal arts funding cuts hit AMERI’KANA festival in KC’s northeast; organizer says the show will go on

By Tommy Felts / June 12, 2025

Creating space for healing and connection in Kansas City’s historic northeast is too critical to abandon, said Enrique Chi, whose nonprofit — and a popular music and arts festival — faces federal funding cuts targeting heritage-related initiatives that don’t align with the priorities of President Trump. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently rescinded $85,000…

Brookside restaurant spot shifts from Irish to Mexican flavors as two families expand their dream

By Tommy Felts / June 5, 2025

Two longtime friends and their daughters — all seasoned restaurant workers — are joining together in a new East Brookside restaurant they can call their own. Muy Caliente Grill & Cantina is scheduled to open later this month at 751 E. 63rd St., Suite 110, in the former Brady & Fox restaurant. Owners Fredy Rivera…

Just-launched retail hub gets first tenant, battling ‘blight of the heart’ on Troost corner

By Tommy Felts / June 3, 2025

‘We are each other’s bootstraps’ Transforming a long-vacant building along Troost into a space for neighborhood small businesses is about empowering the entrepreneurs already living and working in the east side community, said Father Justin Mathews. The newly unveiled RS Impact Exchange — built within the renovated, 1920-built Baker Shoe Building at 3108-3116 Troost Ave.…