Kansas City G.I.F.T. (Generating Income for Tomorrow) is a Kansas City nonprofit founded in 2020 that give out grants and bring jobs to Black businesses in underserved communities, especially in communities east of Troost.
That's where Kansas City G.I.F.T. cofounder Brandon Calloway grew up, and he says he wanted to tackle the racial wealth gap that he saw there.
"Me and my co founders, we all grew up on the east side of Kansas City," Calloway says. "We were born and raised and have seen firsthand and experienced the large racial inequities on the east side of Troost. We have seen how it's an economic desert, while the other suburbs of Kansas City are booming economically."
This past year, G.I.F.T. gave out $460,000 in grants to 21 businesses, and opened a 7,500 square foot business center on Prospect Avenue to increase access to technical assistance. In their first two years of operation, G.I.F.T. says it's created 58 new jobs.
Among the businesses that have benefited are Blueprint KC, The Next Paige Talent Management and Production, and Equal Minded Café.
The Blueprint KC is a clothing and wedding boutique, while The Next Paige Talent Management and Production is the first female Black-owned talent agency in Kansas City.
Equal Minded Cafe is a Black-owned café located on Troost that also offers an event and performance space.
The owners of these businesses joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss the impact of Kansas City G.I.F.T.
- Brandon Calloway, CEO and cofounder of Kansas City G.I.F.T.
- Ashley Pompey, co-owner and founder of The Blueprint KC
- Dontavious Young, owner of Equal Minded Café
- Elaina Paige Thomas, owner of The Next Paige Talent Management and Production
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