Minority-Led

Ford opens door to July 29 pitch competition, $50K in prizes for women entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / June 28, 2021

The Ford Motor Company Fund is bringing a new pitch competition — and $50,000 in prizes — to Kansas City this summer as part of its effort to boost women social entrepreneurs. Announced during the final moments of last week’s HI-HERImpact virtual entrepreneurship summit for Kansas City, the planned July 29 competition is part of a national…

‘What we’re doing matters’: On-demand marketing startup honored as top ‘emerging’ KC business

By Tommy Felts / June 25, 2021

A never-give-up attitude and an appreciation for every opportunity that comes their way continues to fuel the founding duo behind Kansas City-built The Market Base.  “We’re just glad to be recognized for our relentless pursuit,” Milad Ghasempour, co-founder and COO, said moments after the startup was named Emerging Business Award winner by the Greater Kansas…

KC’s premier queer sports league nearly doubles in enrollment; focuses on uniting diverse LGBTQ+ community

By Tommy Felts / June 24, 2021

Athletics has not always been a space where Jared Horman felt comfortable, he shared; but through Stonewall Sports, he discovered a way to genuinely enjoy games while connecting with other queer individuals and allies. “We get to kind of reclaim this thing that was terrifying for us as children,” said Horman, who was first introduced…

Demand more than the life you see scrolling Instagram, Ryan Harvey urges after scam inspires self-reflection

By Tommy Felts / June 22, 2021

Kansas City motivational speaker Ryan Harvey thought his dreams had come true when a duo from Los Angeles offered him a job creating videos for their up-and-coming self-help company, he recalled. To the community thought leader’s shock, the two took the revenue from the company and disappeared — leaving Harvey to answer to upset clients…

Right fit, refined: Carlanda McKinney’s third venture in apparel measures up to its digital design

By Tommy Felts / June 22, 2021

Online shopping is a staple for Carlanda McKinney, she noted, but the inaccuracy and variety of size guides leave both shoppers and retailers with major pain points.  “On the shopper side, it is frustrating to order multiple sizes and not have anything fit your body the right way. … On the seller side, retailers are…