Minority-Led

Wallpapered with flyness: She’s adding urban culture to home decor; why this founder is still searching for her tribe in KC

By Tommy Felts / August 30, 2024

Chicago transplant Keisha Jordan is bringing urban opulence to Kansas City through Complex Flavors Home + Life — just in time for the Kansas City cultural renaissance, she said.  Complex Flavors is a home decor brand, offering wallpaper lines that celebrate “city girl” energies, Jordan said, noting urban opulence is the fuel that sits at…

Kauffman’s new grants go live this week; here’s what we know about the revised funding priorities

By Tommy Felts / August 26, 2024

The announcement of five new grants opportunities from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation brings months of anticipation and potential uncertainty to a head, offering a more clear view into the relaunched grantmaking strategy of the influential Kansas City philanthropic organization. New applications for funding through the Kauffman Foundation open Aug. 29 — about four months…

Digital Health KC debuts Lumi Awards with star-powered roster of tech honorees

By Tommy Felts / August 23, 2024

Healthcare is a team sport and Kansas City has all the players, said Dick Flanigan, heaping praise on the region’s innovators at the intersection of healthcare and technology. “We have key entries in every sector, allowing us to tap into these companies and individuals to truly form a winning team,” said Flanigan, president of Digital…

ProX names equity-centered leader as first executive director of its popular student intern program

By Tommy Felts / August 22, 2024

The new leader of ProX — one of the largest paid internship programs in the country — is expected to be instrumental in taking the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation affiliate to the next level, said Dr. Bill Nicely. ProX and the Kauffman Foundation on Thursday announced the appointment of Solissa Franco-McKay —  a longtime supporter…

Meet the cohort: ScaleUP! KC’s latest brew hits with some familiar flavors, faces

By Tommy Felts / August 22, 2024

A new group of ready-to-scale entrepreneurs — including a half dozen boosting beverage businesses — were unveiled this week as ScaleUP! Kansas City prepares to help the cohort create new jobs, open new locations and strengthen the regional economy. ScaleUP! KC’s just-announced participants hail from a diverse cross-section of industries — from home insulation to…