News Stories

Brandon Calloway, GIFT

‘Give Black’ campaign hits nearly $100K in donations for Black-run businesses, orgs

Editor’s note: Give Black and Kansas City GIFT are non-financial partners of Startland, the parent organization of Startland News. This story was produced independently by Startland News’ non-profit newsroom. A campaign to boost eight Black-owned businesses and organizations in Kansas City during the week of Juneteenth surpassed its goal this month, but the work is…

Stephanie Cummings, Please Assist Me, center, winner of the 2019 HERImpact DC pitch competition; Photo by My Bella Images LLC

Ford opens door to July 29 pitch competition, $50K in prizes for women entrepreneurs

The Ford Motor Company Fund is bringing a new pitch competition — and $50,000 in prizes — to Kansas City this summer as part of its effort to boost women social entrepreneurs. Announced during the final moments of last week’s HI-HERImpact virtual entrepreneurship summit for Kansas City, the planned July 29 competition is part of a national…

Sky Jackson, Scoops

First foot forward: LA dreamer returns to KC to launch shoe brand with one-of-a-kind pop-up

Sky Jackson walked through Motion House Studios in the West Bottoms wearing a shirt and pants he had sewn together himself, as well as a pair of Scoops — Jackson’s premier footwear line inspired by the light-heartedness and joy of ice cream.   “I have been wanting to make a shoe brand since I was a…

Carson Ross, Blue Springs mayor

Why Blue Springs, KC are so hungry for Whataburger: You have the brand; We have the people

When Whataburger arrives later this year in Kansas City, the popular Texas-based restaurant chain is expected to bring more than its spicy ketchup and an iconic burger that takes two hands to hold. Company and city officials on Thursday emphasized a local hunger for both the 70-year-old brand and the 700 jobs it plans to…

Jannae Gammage and Milad Ghasempour, The Market Base, center, with their mothers at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Small Business Celebration

‘What we’re doing matters’: On-demand marketing startup honored as top ‘emerging’ KC business

A never-give-up attitude and an appreciation for every opportunity that comes their way continues to fuel the founding duo behind Kansas City-built The Market Base.  “We’re just glad to be recognized for our relentless pursuit,” Milad Ghasempour, co-founder and COO, said moments after the startup was named Emerging Business Award winner by the Greater Kansas…