News

Variety entertainer’s magic trick: Knowing whether his audience wants a clown (or Ruby in drag)

By Tommy Felts / April 27, 2023

Dennis Porter’s success as a performer is scripted by the North Kansas City native’s talent at reading a room — adapting his jokes and wide variety of entertainment styles to fit the audience. If he’s doing it right, one of Porter’s characters brings a healthy grin to their happy faces, he said. “I am over-blessed…

Broadband internet is no longer a luxury; meet a group bringing access to KC’s most underserved children, families

By Tommy Felts / April 26, 2023

Editor’s note: The following is the second in a series of stories focused on digital inclusion efforts in Kansas City, and is presented by Google Fiber. Those seeking change and equity in a rapidly evolving world of tech access must go directly to the people in need if they wish to truly eradicate the digital…

GIFT hopes NFL Draft visitors touch down at Saturday’s Black Business Market; nonprofit passes $1M in grants given 

By Tommy Felts / April 26, 2023

Packed streets for the NFL Draft around Union Station and downtown this week could mean added traffic to Saturday’s Black Business Market on Kansas City’s east side, said Brandon Calloway. “We’re gonna drive as many people over here so they see the vibrancy that can happen on Prospect, as well as exposing a lot of…

‘Red Zone’ concert puts KC’s brightest hip hop stars on stage as NFL Draft focuses eyes on Kansas City

By Tommy Felts / April 25, 2023

As football fans descend on Kansas City this week for the NFL Draft, a quartet of local musicians hopes to showcase to the world what the Kansas City hip hop scene has to offer. City Market Red Zone will bring together artists, musicians, and vendors for a free, all-ages concert and open-air Art Garden KC…

No time for risks or red flags: Why this fund backs ‘unbankable’ businesses in WYCO’s investment desert

By Tommy Felts / April 25, 2023

This story is possible thanks to Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV), a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. A partnership between NetWork Kansas and the Wyandotte Economic Development Council is providing minority entrepreneurs in Wyandotte County with loans and technical assistance to get their business ideas off the ground.…