Minority-Led

‘I Am’ the domino effect: This changemaker wants to show youth impacted by redlining another reality

By Tommy Felts / May 26, 2023

When Elijah Dormeus moved to Kansas City in 2019, he brought with him a nonprofit that provides mentorship and leadership training to students in underserved communities, with the end goal of empowering them to achieve their dreams. “The I Am Foundation really came from leading, encouraging, and motivating students to see themselves greater than their…

World Cup is coming to KC (and so are the asks): How leaders must boost the region before 2026

By Tommy Felts / May 26, 2023

Kansas City is steadily growing and evolving, said Neal Sharma, making it more important than ever to engage at the community level to tackle challenges and secure opportunities facing the region. That’s especially true as Kansas City prepares for the 2026 World Cup, echoed fellow leaders who spoke Thursday at KC Rising’s Horizon 2023 event.…

KC Current drops apparel collaboration with streetwear brand to celebrate AAPI heritage

By Tommy Felts / May 25, 2023

A new, limited-edition collection from MADE MOBB and the Kansas City Current features designs that blend the KC streetwear brand’s icon style with input from hometown women’s soccer players Chardonnay Curran and Hailie Mace. The merchandise collaboration — a first between the two organizations — launched this week in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian…

Former Chiefs star wants to change the way employers look at tech talent — starting with untapped ‘forever learners’

By Tommy Felts / May 24, 2023

A new-to-Kansas City nonprofit is expected to provide young adults from underrepresented backgrounds with workforce development training and placement into technology sector jobs, opening another pathway toward achieving educational, economic, and racial equity. i.c.stars, headquartered in Chicago, launched in Kansas City in April — thanks in part to years of support from NFL Hall of…

Kinship Cafe owner paves plans to take ownership of his coffee shop (with a little help from his community)

By Tommy Felts / May 23, 2023

In April, TJ Roberts was at risk of losing his coffee shop to a parking lot. Now, Roberts is standing his ground, with the help of his community, to purchase the building that houses Kinship Cafe.  “It was a very dark couple of weeks, but now there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Purchasing…