black-owned businesses

The Kansas City Defender organized the celebration from Oct. 1-14 to bring awareness to Black-owned restaurants, with the hope of helping their long-term sustainability. “We are in a crisis for Black restaurants right now," says founder Ryan Sorrell.

Cori Smith opened BLK + BRWN on 39th Street in 2021, with a focus on authors of color. But she says that rising costs — and the downturn in demand after the pandemic readership surge — have made business tough.

Created by Jhy Coulter, Orange By: Devoured is the latest evolution of a pizza pop-up that began during the COVID pandemic. The Midtown restaurant is inspired by her travels to Spain, but it took more than a year to open after fundraising.

Kansas City G.I.F.T. is a local nonprofit working to address the racial wealth gap in our metro by helping Black entrepreneurs build and sustain their small businesses. While they provide grants, the organization's business center also provides free business coaching, accounting, marketing and more.

Businesses were split on their reaction to the vote on April 2 that rejected the extension of a 3/8th-cent sales tax for a ballpark in the Crossroads. Some said the loss of a downtown stadium just blocks away would hinder progress in the district. Others said the campaign was doomed from the start.

New eateries continue to open on Troost between 30th to 79th Street, with offerings that include African, Jamaican, Irish, Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisines. Restaurant owners hope that the rest of the city rallies around the historic thoroughfare as a business district of its own.

The founders of SK8 Shot Studios are taking Kansas City roller-skating rinks by storm. Their plan is to revive the once thriving scene and grow it into a global destination for Black skate culture — one class and skate party at a time.

The founders of SK8 Shot Studios are taking Kansas City roller-skating rinks by storm. Their plan is to revive the once thriving scene and grow it into a global destination for Black skate culture — one class and skate party at a time.

The Ascend Cohort Program aims to generate a 30% increase of income for Black professionals and entrepreneurs over three years through a series of professional development seminars.

Cherry grew up loving pickles but couldn't find what he liked when he moved to Kansas City. So he started making them and now sells them online, at barbershops and coffeeshops and on social media.

After several years inside Made in KC's Midtown market, Brian Roberts is expanding the Black Pantry into its own, 1,500-square-foot storefront on Troost Avenue. The store is expected to feature a retail area with a diverse selection of Black-owned home goods and self care products.

This month, Alan Kneeland becomes the first Black president of the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association. He's the co-owner of The Combine, a pizza restaurant at the corner of 30th Street and Troost Avenue.