Taylor Wilmore
Reporter, Startland News
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
Recent Articles by Taylor Wilmore
‘Belonging is not a luxury’: KC Chamber winner links DEIB commitment to hope, dignity
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging aren’t just words in reStart Inc.’s strategic plan, CEO Stephanie Boyer said, noting they are the foundation of how the nonprofit’s leaders show up, serve, and lead. “We believe that belonging is not a luxury,” she continued. “It’s a right, and it’s a right that we’re committed to protecting and…
How KC transformed entrepreneurship from counterculture into a model for the mainstream
Veteran ecosystem builders returned to the Heartland this week, urging a new generation of entrepreneur advocates to embrace Kansas City’s style of experimentation and its uniquely collaborative startup culture. “Entrepreneurship is not spreadsheets and business plans,” said Jonathan Ortmans, who founded the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) — the nonprofit parent of Global Entrepreneurship Week —…
KC-built delivery platform recruiting drivers, retailers ahead of summer app launch
Dwayne Overton is no stranger to the hustle, he said. The Kansas City entrepreneur once juggled gigs with Lyft and DoorDash — jobs that gave him an up-close look at the struggles drivers face every day. Now, as founder and CEO of VendiSafe, he’s building a delivery platform that spins the traditional model on its…
KC Defender invests in Black-owned bookstore’s legacy, keeping its story alive as media startup’s new HQ
Missouri’s oldest-operating Black-owned bookstore is set to evolve into a public archive, programming venue, and the new headquarters for The Kansas City Defender — a bittersweet turn of the page for a space marked by resilience and community action, organizers said. Willa’s Books and Vinyl, 5547 Troost Ave., has long stood as a sanctuary of Black…
Small Biz to Watch: El Café Cubano brews rich simplicity inspired by ancestors’ appetite for the American dream
Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing five Kansas City small businesses this week through the newsroom’s first-ever Small Biz to Watch series, presented by Bank of America. The following highlights one of the 2025 honorees, curated by editors from Kansas City’s wide array of hard-working entrepreneurs and business owners. Selection criteria is based on factors…
Small Biz to Watch: Deposit The Work builds mass with tech-enabled consistency — no excuses, all grit
Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing five Kansas City small businesses this week through the newsroom’s first-ever Small Biz to Watch series, presented by Bank of America. The following highlights one of the 2025 honorees, curated by editors from Kansas City’s wide array of hard-working entrepreneurs and business owners. Selection criteria is based on factors…
Small Biz to Watch: Someday Sunday opens the door to me-time without guilt (or toxins)
Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing five Kansas City small businesses this week through the newsroom’s first-ever Small Biz to Watch series, presented by Bank of America. The following highlights one of the 2025 honorees, curated by editors from Kansas City’s wide array of hard-working entrepreneurs and business owners. Selection criteria is based on factors…
Inspiration took him to a dark space; why ‘Macbeth KC’ creator wants to trap audiences in a world with no heroes
An immersive experience set in a post-apocalyptic world — the brainchild of Kansas City artist and designer Keyon Monte — transforms an iconic Shakespearean tragedy into a warped, high-fashion human drama staged within a downtown coworking space. “Macbeth KC” removes the polish and distance often seen in adaptations of William Shakespeare’s works, said Monte, describing…
Entrepreneur turns to Missouri elderberries to unlock treatment alternative, wellness brand
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. ST. LOUIS — As a mother frustrated by years of…
Big ideas for young people: How Equal Minded Café crowdfunded its coffee shop youth incubator’s next blend
Dontavious Young is betting on the next generation. As founder of Equal Minded Café and the Big Ideas Foundation, Young is creating space for high school students to build businesses, find purpose, and take ownership of their futures. “I want to be someone who kids remember their whole life,” Young said. “Almost everyone has an…