Woman-led

United Way’s $2M Kauffman-backed Catalyst Fund just picked its first 22 nonprofit grantees

By Tommy Felts / June 20, 2023

Leaders and organizations who are directly connected and engaged with their communities — especially communities of color — are essential to building a vibrant and inclusive Kansas City, said Gloria Jackson-Leathers, announcing a slew of grant winners from the new $2 million Nonprofit Catalyst Fund. “We are excited to see these grants begin to benefit small…

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Deep tech is the indie rock of innovation: How a summer festival’s return puts it back on stage

By Tommy Felts / June 20, 2023

After a successful debut in 2022, Kansas City’s Innovation Festival is returning in August with more beats, beer, and biologics, shared Sonia Hall, teasing the addition of burgeoning businesses and a berry. To industry insiders, the event — planned for Aug. 3-5 at Crown Center — is a deep tech conference (with the addition of…

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World Refugee Day draws diverse mix of Kansas Citians, businesses

By Tommy Felts / June 20, 2023

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. The Kansas City Public Library’s Northeast Branch parking lot was full of lively music and friendly…

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JuneteenthKC, Black businesses bake celebration of culture into holiday at 18th & Vine

By Tommy Felts / June 18, 2023

Thousands descended on the 18th and Vine Jazz District Saturday for the 12th annual JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival, a celebration of the Juneteenth holiday that greeted attendees with vendor tents, food and drink and musical performances. Makeda Peterson, program director for JuneteenthKC, described the weekend event as a celebration of the struggle for liberation and an…

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Pipeline gala salutes ‘thriving, ever-evolving’ Midwest startup scene boosted by its fellows

By Tommy Felts / June 16, 2023

The 2023 edition of the Pipeline Entrepreneurs Annual Innovation Gala honored a slate of innovators and inspirational forces from across the region, hailing the growth of entrepreneurship in the heartland — and a handful of top award winners. Melissa Vincent, executive director of Pipeline Entrepreneurs, credited the fellows with fostering a now-thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in…

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