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Central Standard

Seg. 1: Anglo Names (R) | Seg. 2: Calvin Arsenia (R) | Seg. 3: Better Leotards

Segment 1: Research shows white-sounding names curry favor in academic settings.

Xian Zhao's name means something to him. It means something to his parents. That's why he won't adopt what he calls an "anglo name." But his own research suggests he might be missing opportunities because of that.

  • Xian Zhao, researcher, University of Toronto

Segment 2, beginning at 14:47: A recent Calvin Arsenia album is a milestone in his professional and personal growth.

A Kansas City harpist and vocalist recorded a new album in 2019, LA Sessions, with a star-studded band in a Los Angeles studio. It was a big step for the artist, not just as a musician but also as someone trying to live authentically, out loud. Hear Calvin Arsenia's story (and catch a little bit of the music from the album, too).

Segment 3, beginning at 38:12: When you don't like the product being offered, what do you do? Make your own.

A former Kansas City Ballet dancer was frustrated with the lack of leotard options available, so she cobbled together her own patterns. 10 years later, she has a 10,000-square-foot building in Midtown, she's about to open a store in Manhattan, and she's being called the Leotard Queen on a national stage.

People don't make cameos in news stories; the human story is the story, with characters affected by news events, not defined by them. As a columnist and podcaster, I want to acknowledge what it feels like to live through this time in Kansas City, one vantage point at a time. Together, these weekly vignettes form a collage of daily life in Kansas City as it changes in some ways, and stubbornly resists change in others. You can follow me on Twitter @GinaKCUR or email me at gina@kcur.org.
Melody Rowell is the lead producer for KCUR’s Central Standard. You can find her on Twitter at @MelodyRowell, or by email at melody@kcur.org.
Mackenzie Martin is a senior podcast producer at KCUR Studios and host of the podcast, A People's History of Kansas City. Contact her at mackenzie@kcur.org.
As KCUR's health reporter, I cover the Kansas City metro in a way that reflects our expanding understanding of what health means and the ways it touches different communities and different areas in distinct ways. I will provide a platform to amplify ideas and issues often underrepresented in the media and marginalized people and communities in an authentic and honest way that goes beyond the surface of the issues. I will endeavor to find and include in my work local experts and organizations that have their ears to the ground and a beat on the health needs of the community. Reach me at noahtaborda@kcur.org.