News & Public Affairs • Podcast
“Voices of Kansas City” is a community conversation show produced by The Kansas City Star. This season is brought to you in collaboration with KKFI community radio and Kansas City G.I.F.T., a non-profit supporting Black small businesses in the metro area.
Listen Live on KKFI
Every Wednesday at 6:00pmContact This Show
The Team
J.M. Banks is Co-Host of Voices of Kansas City on KKFI 90.1 FM. He grew up in Kansas City. and went to Paseo Academy Of Performing Arts and then Studied at University of Missouri – Kansas City. J.M. Banks is The Kansas City Star’s culture and identity reporter. He has worked in various community-based media outlets such as The Pitch KC and Urban Alchemy Podcast. He is former Advisory Board Member at KSHB 41. J.M. is the Creator and Host of J.M. Banks: The KC Renaissance now in its 6th year.
Mará Rose Williams is The Star’s Assistant Managing Editor for Race & Equity Issues. She previously was a member of the Star’s Editorial Board and an award-winning columnist. She has written on all things education for The Star since 1998, including issues of inequity in education, teen suicide, universal pre-K, college costs and racism on university campuses. She conceived of, and was a writer on, The Star’s award-winning 2020 “Truth in Black and White” project and the recipient of the 2021 Eleanor McClatchy Award for exemplary leadership skills and transformative journalism.
Share This Program
“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.
April 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
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
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
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
Voices of Kansas City’s debut show hits the airwaves! 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