Tag: GIFT

Give Black campaign for Black-run businesses, orgs eyes $80K goal by Juneteenth

By Tommy Felts / June 5, 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 newly launched campaign intended to back Black-owned businesses needs widespread community support to make the most impact, Brandon Calloway said, shedding light on why eight…

Read More >
Sulaiman Z. Salaam III, Suli4Q

R3AL potential: Why Suli4Q’s work in KC doesn’t stop with the final track on his Top 10 hip hop album

By Tommy Felts / May 25, 2021

A wildly successful 2020 for indie performer Suli4Q wouldn’t mean as much if the entertainer, entrepreneur, and evangelist for Kansas City prosperity didn’t also focus on impact in the real world, he said. “In my journey, my biggest goal in reaching my full potential is being able to visibly see the changes that I’m having…

Read More >
The Next Paige Agency

Talent agency plans Next Paige in Kansas City’s story; a $50K grant could bring dream closer to reality

By Tommy Felts / May 25, 2021

A shift in the arts and entertainment world is allowing Kansas City creatives to step into roles they’ve long deserved, Elaina Paige Thomas said, looking back on a performance career — and new opportunities — that reflect childhood dreams dancing toward reality. “It has been a journey and I never imagined being here this quickly,…

Read More >

KC Cajun chef brings plans for east side restaurant to a boil with help of $22K grant

By Tommy Felts / March 11, 2021

Opening a restaurant doesn’t happen overnight; it takes planning, hours of hard work, a good team, and solid funding, said Esra England — the head chef and founder of KC Cajun.  “I knew opening a restaurant was a strategic move, and everything needed to be calculated,” explained England, who increased his business’ sales by 500…

Read More >
LaRonda LaNear, We Got It Covered

We Got It Covered: LaRonda LaNear feeds her soul (and yours) in a world catered to men

By Tommy Felts / March 11, 2021

LaRonda LaNear was tired of the working world’s status quo.  “I’ve always hated authority and it’s always been men in power, telling me what to do — and it never made sense,” she joked, shedding light on a real problem that robbed her of joy nearly every shift at every job she held.  “I took that…

Read More >