Minority-Led Stories

K-State opens physical innovation hub space to boost research, economic development

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro.  MANHATTAN, Kansas — A newly unveiled collaborative office space at Kansas State University  is expected to catalyze research commercialization, industry partnerships and economic growth, said Richard Linton.  “This new space…

Northeast Pizza shop bakes KC’s most accessible food into a new restaurant for all, owner says

Rising from a family of restaurateurs, Noah Quillec is striking out on his own — with the help of some culinary friends — to bring a new pizzeria to Kansas City’s Northeast; it’s a move he hopes will bring unity by the slice. “This neighborhood is very accessible, so diverse and so all over the…

Acting camp to cast: Lifetime movie filmed in KC gives young actors their TV dream moment 

A Lifetime movie debuting this weekend not only shines a spotlight on Kansas City, said Elaina Paige Thomas, but it showcases talent at The Next Paige, Kansas City’s first Black-owned talent management agency. “Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story” — set to premiere Saturday, Jan. 18 — was filmed this fall in various…

Cherry catches history with new Chiefs playoff collection — a first for a female designer

An exclusive apparel collection from the Chiefs and fashion-forward brand Cherry is taking the field ahead of Kansas City’s latest playoff appearance. And the woman wearing the cherry-red captain’s patch: a familiar face within Kansas City sports and entrepreneurship. “This collaboration means the world to me,” said Thalia Cherry, who founded Cherry Co. in 2012….

Noelia Olivares had a vision of the sea in KC; her food truck-turned-restaurant serves up the surf

A new brick-and-mortar restaurant docked along one of Kansas City’s popular dining corridors is sailing into the blustery Midwest market this winter — with the young entrepreneur behind the counter offering her family’s fresh take on Mexican seafood cuisine. Mariscos Mr. Culichi is now open at 910 Southwest Boulevard (Taqueria Mexico long operated in the…