Minority-Led

KC GIFT orders a full meal with $100K Wah Gwan grant: Job creation (with a side of inspiration)

By Tommy Felts / October 7, 2025

Young people on Kansas City’s east side need to see examples of what can be achieved when someone who looks like them works hard — and wins, said Tanyech Yarbrough, pledging to use her recent grant funding from KC G.I.F.T. to mirror entrepreneurship to her community, as well as expand her Troost eatery. Yarbrough’s Wah…

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Fan favorite vote: AltCap Your Biz launches crowd-sourced contest as pitch event nears

By Tommy Felts / October 3, 2025

One of 10 finalists in a popular fall pitch event for small businesses is expected to win $5,000 based solely on community votes, leaders at AltCap announced Friday, launching this year’s voting portal ahead of mid-November competition at Union Station. “The Fan Favorite Contest invites the community to discover amazing local businesses, to learn about…

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ATHENA honorees: Lifting up the next generation elevates us all; give them a reason to dream

By Tommy Felts / October 1, 2025

When women lead, communities rise, Dana Foote said, lifting up two ATHENA award winners whose work in Kansas City has created outcomes more meaningful than mere professional success: “the ripple effect of leadership.” “And I see that in the room tonight,” continued Foote, national managing partner of audit operations for KPMG, sponsor of the Greater…

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Photos: Folklore transformed this rooftop for one-night; its $100K impact on small biz lasts even longer

By Tommy Felts / October 1, 2025

A packed rooftop event that started five years ago as a small gathering among friends has grown into a sold-out celebration that not only highlights music, food, and tradition, but also invests back into local nonprofits and entrepreneurs, said Luis Padilla, founder of Folklore and its popular small business grant program. “That balance of culture…

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Check out the entrepreneur winners of this library pitch competition (and beyond-the-shelf resources)

By Tommy Felts / September 27, 2025

Overwhelmed and excited to make a bigger impact, Rasheedah Villarreal expressed joy and gratitude Thursday after her name was announced as the top winner among a wide-ranging catalog of entrepreneurs pitching for cash prizes, community support, and serious momentum. Her business, Social Emotional Yoga with Mrs. V, also earned “Crowd Favorite” honors, sending the founder…

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