Minority-Led

2022 Startups to Watch: Interplay reimagines dog crating for the busy, but attentive, pet parent

By Tommy Felts / December 15, 2021

Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list, now in its seventh year recognizing founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2022’s companies. Click here to view the full…

New nonprofit surprises first-ever $20K ‘changemaker’ grant winner; he already knows how he’ll invest it 

By Tommy Felts / December 10, 2021

Pastor Adrian Roberson was initially too stunned to speak Thursday when he was awarded a $20,000 grant for KC United — a youth sports initiative he co-founded in 2009 with his wife Vicky. But the duo already have plans for the money: spreading blessings. “I want to say, ‘Glory to God,’” Adrian Roberson shared moments after…

They built a coffee table magazine to showcase Black creatives; Why this week’s issue will be By Design’s last

By Tommy Felts / December 9, 2021

The sixth and final issue of By Design magazine is a culmination of the work of three Black men who saw a lack of community and representation in Kansas City’s art ecosystem — and decided to create their own, shared Muenfua Lewis and Justin Ikerionwu.  “By Design has always been about going deeper and breaking…

For the good of the hive: KC pediatrician builds buzz with award-winning urban bee farm effort

By Tommy Felts / December 7, 2021

No one is more surprised by pediatrician Marion Pierson’s newfound career success as a beekeeper and advocate for urban apiaries, the Prairie Village doctor said. “I didn’t know this would happen,” Pierson said. “In fact, I’m scared of bugs. My husband asked me how I was going to start a bee farm. When I’m in…

Hometown startups want their due; sister-led QuickHire’s $1.4M round could be just the start

By Tommy Felts / December 6, 2021

QuickHire’s potential for success is enhanced — not limited — by the young tech startup’s south-central Kansas geography, said Deborah Gladney, one half of a sister-led Wichita venture that recently announced its $1.4 million round boosted by a leading Kansas City fund. “Being from Wichita, we’ve come to know and appreciate everything this city has to…