Minority-Led

Initiative to employ at-risk KC youth provides jobs for 427 teens, raises $600K for stipend fund

By Tommy Felts / July 24, 2021

A community’s most impactful investment is in its youth, Mayor Quinton Lucas said Friday during a media event for the Working for Youth anti-violence and youth employment initiative.  In April, the mayor’s office announced a partnership with KC Common Good, Hire KC and Entrepreneurship KC to establish the Working for Youth program that would train…

Music tech startup doubles crowdfunding goal with more time on the clock: It’s like having the opportunity to invest in Disney on the ground floor, founder says

By Tommy Felts / July 22, 2021

Roy Scott hopes to repeat history, he said, drawing parallels between his company’s trajectory and the opening scenes of Walt Disney’s successful career in Kansas City.  “Anybody who knows me, or does their research on me, can see that my passion and my perseverance and my whole mission is to continue pushing Healthy Hip Hop…

How Yoli Tortilleria’s co-founder went full-time, launched a new zine to showcase Mexican culture

By Tommy Felts / July 22, 2021

Kansas Citians should get ready for a bold taste of culture, Marissa Gencarelli said, teasing the release of a new mini publication inspired by her rapidly scaling business and its mission to bring a bit of authentic Mexico to the metro. “I posted a picture on Instagram and someone [asked] me if I had ever…

KC’s first Black-owned brewery reveals future home: Historic redevelopment project on Vine Street

By Tommy Felts / July 20, 2021

A piece of Kansas City history — now an in-the-works east side business development near one of the city’s famed entertainment districts — is expected to be the home of KC’s first Black-owned brewery, Kemet Coleman confirmed Monday. “The cat’s out of the bag,” said Coleman, revealing plans for the soon-to-debut Vine Street Brewing company to…

Making home haircuts fresh again: KC barber reimagines barbershops with mobile service, app

By Tommy Felts / July 20, 2021

Michael Thurman had a 1-year-old child at home and another baby on the way when COVID-19’s outset left him without work for eight weeks, he shared. Contemplating how he could have more freedom and stability as a barber, the wheels began turning beneath Thurman’s scalp. His idea: create a traveling barber platform — now known as…