Minority-Led

Alone or in the club: Virtual jukebox app spins back after laying new tracks as a social experience

By Tommy Felts / August 9, 2022

Former music promoter Adell Hendon said he knew he couldn’t keep the turnup going forever on his own. Now the Kansas City native is helping other people party even longer with his socially-interactive virtual jukebox app — YouSpin. “I used to throw a lot of parties with DJs and even independent artists — a lot…

Nightlife app enhances its flavor with Westport Bars, KC brewing company partnerships

By Tommy Felts / August 9, 2022

A strategic partnership with Westport Bars is going to do more than drive partygoers to the UpDown Nightlife app, Joshua Lewis said; it will give the startup data needed to scale its platform nationwide. “Through this partnership, we’re going to be able to really build out our business model,” said Lewis, the founder and CEO…

Stream smarter, safer: Former Cisco engineer aims to replace Zoom as top video conferencing platform

By Tommy Felts / August 6, 2022

Kenneth Yancy has been live streaming since the early 2000s — a time when not many were interested in the technology, he said. But 20 years later, a virtual-hybrid work model featuring video conferencing is the norm.  “In 2001, I was working for Cisco as an engineer. My team and I built the first live…

Feeling bad vibes at work? It actually could be your own fault (Holistic Hustle)

By Tommy Felts / August 5, 2022

Kharissa Parker-Forte is a news producer, writer, certified health coach, and columnist for Startland News.  Read her “Holistic Hustle” columns for Startland News here. For more of her self-care tips on how to keep your cup full, visit kparker.co. Editor’s note: This commentary kicks off Parker-Forte’s series on the 7 Pillars of Self-Care by discussing…

Outside look from the inside: What a visiting economic fellow found in KC (rival BBQ is just a taste)

By Tommy Felts / August 3, 2022

After spending his summer in Kansas City, the metro reminds Alvin Gusman a lot of his hometown, Austin, he said. The Texas A&M student is in the last two weeks of his 10-week Equity in Economic Development Fellowship with the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), reflecting on the experience. “I’ve actually really enjoyed…