News

It’s a ‘movement, not just a moment’; H&R Block audits impact of Black excellence, businesses

By Tommy Felts / February 17, 2022

Reading is among the best way to learn about Black history, said Willa Robinson, the founder and owner of Willa’s Books & Vinyl. “I’m grateful to be able to educate people about what’s going on in the Black community through books. There’s so much history on what we have experienced, what we have accomplished,” said…

Final capital push expected to bring $13M rebuild to Troost, replacing building held together by ‘duct tape, plaster, and prayer’ 

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2022

Decades of dreaming are coming to an end, said Father Justin Mathews, announcing the final phase of a $13 million capital campaign that’s expected to realize a long-held plan to magnify the impact of Reconciliation Services.  “We’ve been in the building since 1987 — and its been held together with duct tape, plaster, and prayer,” Mathews,…

Trees might fall, but this duo’s salvaged, custom hardwood pieces are crafted to stand the test of time

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2022

Jay Norris and Nick Bianco witnessed an unexpected sight when dropping off debris from the remodel of their KCK warehouse — a discovery that would add new rings of life to their budding custom hardwoods business. “We see a bulldozer pushing trees into the dump, and we were like, ‘What the heck is going on over…

New bobblehead set replicates one of KC’s most iconic museum experiences for Black History Month

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2022

A new collection of bobbleheads is calling attention to the impact made by legends of the Negro Leagues — and offering fans and local enthusiasts the opportunity to recreate a Kansas City historical attraction at home. “These are the first bobbleheads to replicate the iconic Field of Legends,” explained Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the…

Kauffman grants $5.3M to AltCap to help those overlooked by lenders access capital

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2022

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News. A significant new grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is expected to help AltCap support the capitalization and administration of a fund that increases access to capital for entrepreneurs in distressed areas of Kansas City and for those whose credit applications…