Minority-Led

How can edtech startups tell if their products work? LEANLAB partners research tech use in real KC classrooms

By Tommy Felts / April 20, 2021

A rebooted accelerator concept for LEANLAB Education put four edtech companies into Kansas City classrooms this spring — focusing more on helping founders conduct research on their products inside of schools and de-emphasizing previous entrepreneur training aspects of LEANLAB’s programming. “As the first program of its kind in the U.S., this inaugural cohort represents a turning…

SnapIT sees 100 percent jump in female tech students; builds on ‘Future of Work’ summit

By Tommy Felts / April 17, 2021

As the job market shifts in a post-pandemic world, an Overland Park company reports virtual training options and changes in coastal employer mindsets have opened access for women in tech like never before. “COVID created a situation where working from home has become a long-term solution, leading to more opportunities for the Midwest [talent overall],”…

‘Not an over-glorified hobby’: Comic book creator designs app to help vendors find conventions, sketch path to profitability

By Tommy Felts / April 17, 2021

Juaquan Herron spent countless hours actively searching for comic conventions to share and sell his work — often feeling frustrated after learning about conventions too late, he recalled. “Especially starting out in the industry, I didn’t have many friends and wasn’t finding out about vending opportunities,” said Herron, who founded 2923 Comics and created the…

KC to DC: Students roll out legislation to ban secondhand smoke in vehicles; ‘Quit Kids Smoking’ nationwide

By Tommy Felts / April 15, 2021

Editor’s note: Startland is the parent organization of Startland News, though this report was produced independently by Startland News’ non-profit newsroom. Click here to read more about Startland’s education and real-world learning work. Four teenagers from high schools across Kansas City have banded together in hopes of passing legislation to prohibit smoking products that contain…

Liberation through innovation: Why KC Girls Prep focuses on history, culture to empower students 

By Tommy Felts / April 13, 2021

Striving to create feminist, anti-racist leaders does not come with a checklist, said Tara Haskins — rather it takes creative thinking and the willingness to go beyond established norms.   “To be anti-racist is to first acknowledge history and the stories we tell,” said Haskins, who serves as the founding school leader at KC Girls Preparatory…