“Voices of Kansas City” is a community conversation show produced by The Kansas City Star. It is brought to you in collaboration with 90.1 FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio.
Season 2 will highlight the personal stories of Black grassroots activists from the Kansas City area. Your hosts each week are Kansas City Star assistant managing editor Mará Rose Williams and culture and identity reporter JM Banks. Voices of Kansas City: Season 2 will air Wednesdays at 6pm beginning April 17th on KKFI 90.1 FM.
This show is part of The Star’s continued efforts to improve coverage of Black Kansas Citians following publication of “The Truth in Black and White,” an apology for the news organization’s role in perpetuating systemic racism in Kansas City.
May 8, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Podcast
Season 2 Episode 4: Ryan S. Harvey and Janay Reliford
In Part 1, Voices interviews Ryan S. Harvey, Motivational Speaker and Author who is passionate about helping Black men realize their full potential and develop and maintain a healthy mindset. He is the author of the e-book "Creating Your World". In Part 2, we speak with Janay Reliford, President of the Kansas City Reparations Coalition, which has been working with the city and educating Kansas City about reparations for qualified Black residents.
ListenMay 1, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Podcast
Season 2 Episode 3: Cornell Ellis and Christa Rice
In Part 1, Voices interviews Cornell Ellis, Co-Founder and Executive Director of BLOC (Brothers Liberating Our Communities), a Kansas City organization founded by a group of Black male educators as a means of connecting with and supporting other black men through education. In Part 2, we speak with Christa Rice, founder of KC Curly, an annual event that encourages Black women to not only embrace their natural coils and curls, but to flaunt them.
ListenApril 24, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Podcast
Season 2 Episode 2: Nyla Foster and Logan Stacer
In Part 1, Voices interviews Nyla Foster, executive director at Kansas City's Trans Women of Color Collective, who works to stop the violence perpetuated against trans women of color in the Kansas City area. In Part 2, we speak with Logan Stacer, a local performance artist who founded a theatrical group that trains performers to use their art as a means of social justice activism.
ListenApril 17, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Podcast
Season 2 Episode 1: Darvius “DJ” Yearwood and Johnny Waller
In Part 1, Voices interviews Darvius Yearwood, a 17 year-old youth activist and winner of the 2023 National Youth Advocate of the Year. Darvius is working to get more young adults involved in civic engagement in Kansas City, and advocating for local teens gaining the right to vote in schoolboard elections. In Part 2, we hear from Johnny Waller, a young man who was formally incarcerated and now works to create opportunities for people coming out of prison.
ListenOctober 13, 2023 News & Public Affairs, Podcast
Season 1 Episode 4: The Next Paige Talent Agency + Haul Pros Moving Company
In Part 1 of this week’s episode, Voices of Kansas City highlights local entrepreneur Elaina Paige Thomas and her business The Next Paige Talent Agency, which is Kansas City’s first Black-owned talent management agency. In Part 2, we speak with Antonio Hatcher of Haul Pros Moving Company.
ListenOctober 6, 2023 News & Public Affairs, Podcast
Season 1 Episode 3: Fire and Ice Athletics + Mirror Mirror Books
In Part 1 of this week's episode, Voices of Kansas City highlights local entrepreneur Keisha Shannon and her business Fire and Ice Athletics, which is based in Raytown and specializes gymnastics coaching. In Part 2, we speak with Dayonne Richardson, owner of publisher Mirror Mirror Books in Kansas City.
ListenSeptember 29, 2023 News & Public Affairs, Podcast
Season 1 Episode 2: Pinklipps + Ophelia’s Blue Vine Farm
In Part 1 of this week’s episode, Voices of Kansas City highlights local entrepreneur Kenyata Gant, owner of Pinklipps Cosmetics. In Part 2, we speak with Mike Rollen, owner of Ophelia's Blue Vine Farm.
ListenSeptember 22, 2023 News & Public Affairs, Podcast
Season 1 Episode 1: Equal Minded Café + Dash Delivery
In Part 1 of this week’s episode, Voices of Kansas City highlights local entrepreneur Dontavious Young, owner of Equal Minded Cafe. In Part 2, we speak with Damesha Cook, owner of Dash Delivery Services.
Listen