News

‘More than a thrift store’: Goodwill’s efforts to close digital divide sell an expanded mission — upskilling workers 

By Tommy Felts / March 22, 2023

Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of stories focused on digital inclusion efforts in Kansas City, and is presented by Google Fiber. Ron Carr’s retirement made him restless, he shared. Wanting to be a valuable player in Kansas City’s economy once again, Carr enrolled in Goodwill’s Digital Skills Training program.  “With…

Thrive Homes builds ‘life-changing’ independence for those struggling with mobility, aging in place

By Tommy Felts / March 21, 2023

The impact of Thrive Homes is as simple as it is profound, said Christian Hill, whose startup taps into state and federal health funds to provide timely home modifications for residents with disabilities and accessibility issues. The Overland Park-based company makes it possible for people with certain health conditions — and those who are experiencing…

She started by getting Black art into Black spaces; now Natasha Ria El-Scari wants all of KC to know what they’ve been missing

By Tommy Felts / March 21, 2023

A Renaissance woman, Natasha Ria El-Scari — gallerist, curator, poet, spoken word performer, educator, and life coach — has surrounded herself with art throughout her life. However, as the Kansas City native watched her hometown’s art scene flourish and thrive, she noticed not everyone was included. “As the city started to change, and the Crossroads…

Travel on tap: How a KC couple built a self-serve port for international wine lovers north of the river

By Tommy Felts / March 17, 2023

Grab your wine passport, Russ Johnson said, because this self-serve wine bar allows customers to taste the world one sip at a time. And the technology that makes the business possible? Johnson — a software developer-turned-entrepreneur — built it himself. “Our brand is really focused on going on a vacation and having this world experience —…

Don’t like cookies? Your new favorite weirdough baker hungrily accepts the challenge

By Tommy Felts / March 17, 2023

Tierney Larson is on a mission to bake the perfect cookies for those like herself with a not-so-sweet tooth, the Outliers Baked Goods owner shared. Each month, the self-taught baker and New York native experiments, developing four new adventurous flavors to please the taste buds of the outliers or weirdoughs of the dessert community —…