Minority-Led Stories

Siblings spin family pet into family business, capitalizing on alpaca’s plush potential

One Wyandotte County family’s trip to a local fair inspired their interest in alpacas, but it wasn’t until they brought one of the animals home as a pet that they realized the business opportunities they’d unleashed. “That’s where the idea started of — ‘Hey, we can actually make this an Alpaca clothing company and reduce…

Black Drip releases canned cold brew as KC coffee maker leans into creative blends

A new cold brew version from Charon Thompson’s popular Kansas City coffee brand drips with strength, the co-founder said, teasing its arrival on the market just as the metro begins to heat up for the spring. “I can’t sell hot coffee when it’s like 92 degrees,” said Thompson, recalling an experience during a Black Drip…

Food fit: Kansas City health startup attains Endeavor Heartland greenlight at first KC selection panel

Moving forward in the process to become an Endeavor Entrepreneur builds on 18 months of momentum for the newly branded Attane Health, said founder Emily Brown. Her Kansas City-based, food- and nutrition-focused startup moved one step closer to the Endeavor designation — a move that ultimately would elevate Attane Health on a global scale —…

Waldo Thai owner serves first chef collaboration for Kemper Museum’s Artist Dinner Series

The first in a series of three dinner events at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is set to feature James Beard semifinalist Pam Liberda, head chef and owner of Waldo Thai — creating a one-of-a-kind dining experiences blending together the creative worlds of food and art. “Kemper Museum has always cultivated connections between contemporary artists…

How the Kauffman Foundation is tripling down on its KC-focused strategy with trio of high-profile hires

Three new executives are joining the leadership team at one of Kansas City’s most-impactful foundations — a move meant to deepen connections to the city and drive a renewed approach to its mission of economic stability, mobility and prosperity for all.  The trio — two Kansas City natives who became experts in their fields and a…