Minority-Led

Identity festival returns, bringing Asian-owned business, culture from the shadows to the pitch

By Tommy Felts / May 11, 2024

A celebration of often-overlooked heritage and culture is scoring its biggest match yet: a showcase this weekend at CPKC Stadium — where intentional diversity and inclusivity have a home field advantage, said Jackie Nguyen. “It’s our first time partnering with such a big venue,” said Nguyen, founder of the annual AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian,…

Mr K finalists: Diversity is a strength, but the vibes defining these Top 10 businesses don’t stop there

By Tommy Felts / May 10, 2024

Yes, 80 percent of the finalists for this year’s Small Business of the Year Award are ventures run by women, Karen Crnkovich acknowledged, but it’s not just their owners’ gender that put them in the top-tier of contenders for the coveted “Mr. K” honor. “There are eight really brilliant, smart ladies on the stage,” said…

$11M renovation in the works for historic hub of Black entrepreneurship; project ties into 18th Street pedestrian mall plans

By Tommy Felts / May 9, 2024

Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by AltCap, an ally to underestimated entrepreneurs that offers financing to businesses and communities that traditional lenders do not serve. For more than one hundred years, the Lincoln Building has served as a cornerstone of commerce and community in the 18th and Vine district. The historic district —…

Block by block: Prototype builds startup’s housing vision where everyone can afford their own castle

By Tommy Felts / May 7, 2024

A mock home facade project on the grounds of Kansas City’s historic Workhouse Castle serves as a proof point for Godfrey Riddle’s rebooted Civic Saint — a social venture built on compressed earth blocks as its key to affordable, sustainable housing. “CEBs (compressed earth blocks) are great for Kansas City, because non-expansive sandy clay soil…

Meet the founder distilling greatness (and fusion flavors) into Kansas’ first Black-owned vodka brand 

By Tommy Felts / May 3, 2024

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro.  WICHITA — Greatness isn’t given; it’s earned, said Troy Brooks. But it comes one step at a time, and not without its challenges, he said. The entrepreneur behind Kansas’ first Black-owned…