News

Troostapalooza aims to shed the old skin of city’s racial dividing line, says Kemet Coleman

By Tommy Felts / September 6, 2018

Troostapalooza will build community while constructively addressing the elephant in the room, said Kemet Coleman, organizer of the newly developed street festival. “We wanted to create a home away from home on Troost that is inclusive and sensitive to the historic and existing nuances,” he said. “Not the violent, divisive one that is portrayed by…

Defiant anti-gentrification voice: Clock is ticking on east side neighborhoods, Movement KC

By Tommy Felts / September 6, 2018

Daniel Edwards isn’t shy about his frustrations with the perception of Kansas City’s east side. “I remember my first corporate lunch after graduating college: the joke was, ‘Nobody wants to go near 35th and Prospect at night time,’” said Edwards, a Kansas City area developer and the founder of Movement KC. “I was like, ‘Yo, it’s…

Fried gator to chicken alfredo: Flavors driving KC Cajun to entrepreneur’s next phase

By Tommy Felts / September 5, 2018

Kansas City businesses should utilize every resource at their disposal to build stronger brands, said Israel England, owner and operator of KC Cajun. “I’m branching out,” England said with confidence as he detailed his coming venture — adapting his KC Cajun catering service into a food truck. “There is so much more room to improve,…

LaunchKC finalists revealed: Kansas City newsmakers and startup stars in the making

By Tommy Felts / September 5, 2018

A dozen Kansas City tech entrepreneurs are set to compete next month against a mix of firms from across the country — and one startup from Israel — in arguably the city’s most elite and hotly anticipated pitch event of the year. LaunchKC announced its 20 finalists Tuesday — each vying for their piece of…

‘Buddha was a Baller’ seeks to awaken success without overthinking, Mindsport founder says

By Tommy Felts / August 31, 2018

Buddha had the mind of an athlete, said Ryan Stock. The spiritual sage on whose teachings Buddhism was founded inspired Stock, creator of the MindSport app and a former basketball coach, to put his own thoughts to paper. His book, “Buddha was a Baller,” is set for release Oct. 28, the Kansas City entrepreneur said.…