Channa Steinmetz

Recent Articles by Channa Steinmetz

Chris Rehkamp, Technology Ventures Studio

Community Builders to Watch: Chris Rehkamp builds pipeline for early-stage tech entrepreneurs from within KC

Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing five Kansas City changemakers from five local organizations through its second annual Community Builders to Watch series. The following highlights one of the 2022 honorees, selected from more than 100 initial nominees. Click here to view the full list of Community Builders to Watch — presented by Engenious Design. Chris…

Megan Adams, Firebrand Collective

Community Builders to Watch: Megan Adams creates connection ‘beyond the business card’ with female-focused coworking

Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing five Kansas City changemakers from five local organizations through its second annual Community Builders to Watch series. The following highlights one of the 2022 honorees, selected from more than 100 initial nominees. Click here to view the full list of Community Builders to Watch — presented by Engenious Design. Megan…

Matt Brammlette, Mid Coast Modern, Bear Soap Co.

Business is a bear: Why Soap Bar closed its storefront to keep inventory flowing to Made in KC, refreshed retail spot

The shelving of Soap Bar in Westport wasn’t the end of a chapter — just a focused business shift, said Matt Bramlette, the Midtown maker behind Toilet Bombs and a variety of self-care products.  “We took the look and feel of Soap Bar and merged it with Mid Coast Modern. It was a total refresh,”…

Derecka Purnell

Two Black, women-owned bookstores open conversation on police abolition; Why this UMKC alumna says it could reduce gun violence in KC

Two of Kansas City’s newest Black-, woman-owned bookshops are teaming up to host Derecka Purnell — human rights lawyer, author and University of Missouri-Kansas City alumna — for a community discussion on police abolition and eliminating harm.  Aya Coffee + Books and BLK + BRWN are presenting “Community Book Chat with Derecka Purnell” 6:30 p.m….

DJ Stewart, Journey Pro Wrestling

Put a ring in it: Journey Pro enters the ‘Era of Agnes’ with new location on KC’s East Side

Founder combines passion for wrestling, fighting cancer in latest show Every window was broken. A solid foot of trash covered the floor. And there was a strange smell coming from the bathrooms. Yet, DJ Stewart stepped into the abandoned section of the Agnes Arts Center and knew it was going to be the perfect home…

Norman Kump, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC); Simon Williams; and Venita Thurman, Grandview High School

Real-world ready: Honeywell partners with local high schools, offering full-time careers to Grandview graduates

Simon Williams wasn’t interested in college; he instead saw a professional path after high school that avoided costly and time-wasting diversions. “I just didn’t want to start my career four years later, with almost $100,000 in the hole,” said the recent Grandview graduate and new hire at Honeywell as an assembler adjuster. The U.S. Department…

Startup pitch at a 2021 NMotion Venture Studio event

NMotion adds ‘concierge’ investment accelerator for early-stage founders; applications close May 30

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by the NMotion startup accelerator, but was independently produced by Startland News. Following NMotion Venture Studio’s successful launch in 2020, Nebraska’s largest and only startup accelerator is adding a new high-touch opportunity to its lineup: NMotion Growth Accelerator.  “Five out of the 10 companies that came through the NMotion…

Santosh George, Grace George, Meredith George, and Mary Ann George at the dedication of Studio 3030 at Operation Breakthrough's Ignition Lab

Donations honoring late podcast host, comedian fund ‘place of peace’ for young creators; recording studio dedicated to Mathew George

Friends and family of the late podcast host Mathew George gathered to celebrate the dedication of Operations Breakthrough’s newly-debuted recording studio on what would have been Mathew’s 27th birthday. “What could have been a really depressing day was more celebratory, like it would have been if he were still here,” shared Mary Ann George, mother…

Saroj Gupta, MyDigiRecords, pitching at the Futures Group during the Comeback KC Ventures Innovation Showcase

When a global health crisis exposed ‘broken’ systems, these KC startups jabbed back

Patients need easier access to their medical records, said Saroj Gupta, stressing the life-threatening outcomes for individuals who might miss important vaccinations — or erroneously obtain multiple doses — because of poor or hard-to-find documentation. “We call ourselves a developed country, but our healthcare system is so broken,” said Saroj Gupta, the founder and CEO…

Armondo Alvarez and Justine Dale Gelbolinga

Will climate change rob me of being a parent? Anxious Millennials, Gen Z question adding more children to Earth

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series on climate change in the Kansas City region produced by the KC Media Collective to support and enhance local journalism so every person in Kansas City can lead a richer life. Members of the KC Media Collective are KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, Missouri Business…