News

Brandon Calloway, GIFT

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

By Tommy Felts / June 29, 2021

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…

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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

By Tommy Felts / June 28, 2021

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…

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Sky Jackson, Scoops

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

By Tommy Felts / June 26, 2021

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…

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Carson Ross, Blue Springs mayor

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

By Tommy Felts / June 26, 2021

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…

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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

By Tommy Felts / June 25, 2021

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…

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