Minority-Led

New bobblehead set replicates one of KC’s most iconic museum experiences for Black History Month

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2022

A new collection of bobbleheads is calling attention to the impact made by legends of the Negro Leagues — and offering fans and local enthusiasts the opportunity to recreate a Kansas City historical attraction at home. “These are the first bobbleheads to replicate the iconic Field of Legends,” explained Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the…

Kauffman grants $5.3M to AltCap to help those overlooked by lenders access capital

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2022

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News. A significant new grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is expected to help AltCap support the capitalization and administration of a fund that increases access to capital for entrepreneurs in distressed areas of Kansas City and for those whose credit applications…

Building a business is a lonely journey, says serial risk-taker; but access to resources can grow Black community, generational wealth

By Tommy Felts / February 14, 2022

Editor’s note: SCORE is an advertiser with Startland News, though this report was produced independently by the nonprofit newsroom. Forget the fluff, said Isaac Collins. Kansas City’s SCORE Community Strategic Alliance (SCSA) is planning a KC Business Ecosystem for Black Entrepreneurs webinar that will leave attendees with constructive teachings that they can bring into today,…

New tequila, same family: Why you’ll miss all the shots you don’t take of this soon-to-be iconic KC spirit

By Tommy Felts / February 11, 2022

They’re among Kansas City’s most popular brands, Andy Miller said, distilling just how crucial it is for the minds behind Spanish Gardens, Perez, and Silva’s to get it right as they launch a new brand: Una Familia Tequila. “There were sleepless nights,” recalled Miller, founder of Una Familia and COO of Spanish Gardens Foods — the…

Whitney Manney’s fresh prints: How one KC designer’s life got flipped-turned upside down by a call from ‘Bel Air’

By Tommy Felts / February 11, 2022

When the Kansas City-provoked reboot of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” begins streaming Sunday, its creator won’t be the only recognizable local name to roll in the credits.  “This has been a dream opportunity,” said Whitney Manney, founder of the WHITNEYMANNEY (WM) fashion label, announcing her participation in costuming “Bel-Air” — the dramatic retelling of…