Straight From The Heart

Ajamu Webster is back in Kansas City, and he brought a challenge with him. He spent 42 years here as a structural engineer and community organizer before moving to Ghana, and he sits down with Kim Davis to talk about the thing he's been building for more than a decade: WeDevelopment Federal Credit Union, a Black-owned, community-owned financial institution at 3123 Prospect. It earned its charter i...

Harold Fears is back, and this time the plan he laid out on Episode 12 isn't a plan anymore. It's running. Harold sits down with Kim Davis to share what's happening at Ares CDL Institute right now. He's already working inside the Topeka Correctional Facility and Lansing with eight students who'll walk out with a real CDL in hand. He says it's the first program in the country that lets people actua...

In this episode of Straight From the Heart , host Kim Davis sits down with Eric Murray, entrepreneur and candidate for the U.S. Senate in Kansas, for a conversation about leadership and the future of Kansas communities. He grew up in Wyandotte County, built businesses, and advocated for community investment. Eric shares the experiences that shaped his vision for public service. Together, they expl...

On this episode of Straight From The Heart , we sit down with Patricia Stouffer, better known as Patti Cakes a breast cancer survivor and creator of Three Ts and a Nana . Patty shares her journey through an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis and the emotional, physical battles of treatment. She also shares the unwavering faith that carried her through the darkest moments. This conversation is abou...

In this episode of Straight From the Heart , we continue our discussion of Epstein, shifting the focus from headlines to home. Joined by Brandy Williams of MOCSA, we talk about what sexual abuse really looks like beyond high-profile cases and into our everyday lives. We’re really talking about how abuse doesn’t just happen in extreme or obvious situations; it can happen in places people trust the...

In this episode of Straight From the Heart , we sit down with Bishop Mark Tolbert, pastor, entrepreneur, educator, and civic leader for a conversation about what happens when faith is lived out beyond Sunday and into the community. From building churches and founding schools to influencing policy and sitting at decision-making tables, Bishop Tolbert shares what it means to serve both God and commu...

In this episode of Straight From the Heart , we sit down with a Kansas City prosecutor, Melesa Johnson , who’s making tough decisions under intense public scrutiny. What really happens behind the scenes when cases don’t get charged? Why do some legal outcomes feel unfair, even when they follow the law? Growing up in one of the city’s most challenging districts and now leading with accountability,...

In this episode of Straight From the Heart , we sit down with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas for a conversation about the issues shaping Kansas City today. With the April 7 vote approaching, Mayor Lucas breaks down the truth behind the city’s earnings tax and how it directly impacts residents, small businesses, and the future of essential services.. This episode dives into the challenges and mome...

In this episode of Straight From the Heart , the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce tackles a hard truth. Kim Davis hosts guest Brandon Calloway as they challenge conventional thinking about economic power and ownership. For too long, Black economic progress has depended on approval and outside validation. But what if the real shift isn’t about permission, it’s about ownership? They explore why s...

In this episode of Straight From the Heart , Kim Davis sits down with investor, entrepreneur, and author of Make It Rain , Vercie Lark , for a conversation about ownership and the mindset shift Black businesses must make to truly thrive. Vercie went from dumpster diving for scrap steel to running million-dollar operations. Vercie shares about knowing your numbers and building businesses that gener...

In this episode of Straight From The Heart , the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce sits down with Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw for a conversation about economic growth and her vision for Kansas City as she runs for mayor. She stepped into office just before the COVID-19 pandemic and now helping seniors and championing a $30 million violence prevention initiative. Ryana shares...

What if the reason things aren’t changing isn’t power… but participation? In this episode of Straight From the Heart, we sit down with Chris Good for a conversation about what really creates opportunity and why waiting on luck or invitations keeps communities stuck. Chris breaks down what most people don’t want to hear: progress doesn’t come from complaining…it comes from showing up. If you’ve eve...

What if the most important elections aren’t the ones everyone talks about? In this episode, Straight From the Heart welcomes Brittney Hugunin, CEO of Rapture Marketing , for an open conversation about why local and state elections quietly shape our communities often with shockingly low voter participation. Brittney and our host break down what happens when people don’t vote, how misinformation clo...

What happens when a country starts moving like it can take whatever it wants, just because it has the power to do it? This episode starts with Venezuela, but quickly turns into something bigger: the return of American imperialism in real time. We’re joined by Khalid Abdulqaadir, who brings historical context and firsthand insight into how power, war, and “law enforcement” often blur together (and...

Welcome back to Season 2 of Straight From The Heart! This week, we're tearing into the biggest political story of 2026: Marjorie Taylor Greene's controversial pivot. Once a "stark supporter" with a 98% loyalty record to the former administration, MTG is now demanding the release of the Epstein files, drawing the ire of her former allies. But is her "great conversion" a sincere change of heart, or...

In this episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis sits down with Harold Fears , founder of Just One Transportation , to talk about second chances, rebuilding the village, and the truth about CDL careers. A CDL, or Commercial Driver's License , is a special license needed to operate large or heavy motor vehicles like tractors, trailers, dump trucks, or passenger buses. After prison, when...

In this powerful episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis sits down with award-winning film critic and cultural storyteller Shawn Edwards to uncover why so many stories from Black cinema and Black history as a whole keeps getting lost, erased, or rewritten. We covered the Kansas City’s own Boone Theater, the forgotten legacy of Sarah Rector as well as the future of 18th & Vine. Sean...

Billions of dollars are flowing into Kansas City but Black developers and Black contractors still aren’t moving in sync. In this episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis and co-host Billy break down the real reasons behind the disconnect: trust gaps, communication issues, historical wounds, missed opportunities, and why both sides keep saying the other “isn’t ready.” They discuss how th...

In this episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis sits down with Christal Watson , the newly elected Mayor of Kansas City, Kansas and the first Black woman to ever hold the seat. From being counted out to winning a historic grassroots victory, Christal shares the real story behind her campaign, the obstacles she faced, and the community that refused to give up on her. This conversation i...

America has a problem with power, silence, and abuse… and you can see it at every level, whether it’s the church, the courthouse, politics of pop culture. In this episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis (CEO & President of the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce) and co-host Khalid Abdulqaadir (former U.S. military intelligence officer) dig into the uncomfortable truth behind Jeffr...

When the National Guard shows up in our neighborhoods, is it really about safety or control? In this episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis (CEO & President of the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce) and co-host Khalid Abdulqaadir (former U.S. military intelligence officer) unpack what it means to see American cities “occupied” by military presence. From rising violence to politi...

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we live and work — but is it leaving Black communities behind? In this episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis (CEO & President of the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce) sits down with Kenneth Yancy (Chief AI, Intent Digital Marketing, and Data Officer) to unpack the realities of AI, access, and opportunity in the Black community. From...

Frank White’s recall election is making headlines, but what’s the truth behind it? In this episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis and guest Racquel Adams break down the facts vs. myths of Jackson County’s special election. From the real cost to taxpayers to the political gridlock and misinformation around taxes and stadium funding , this conversation gets to the heart of whether the r...

It’s not enough to inspire from the stage, without strategy, movements stall. In this episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis and co-host Khalid Abdulqaadir unpack the missing step in Black leadership: planning . From lessons of the Civil Rights Movement to the role of Black culture as a natural resource, this conversation digs into why unity fails without strategy and how planning can...

In today’s world, collaboration isn’t just nice to have, it’s survival. In this episode of Straight from the Heart , host Kim Davis sits down with Carlos Gomez , President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, to talk about breaking silos, building trust, and why collaboration beats competition every time. From the challenges of uniting communities to the once-in-a-lifetime o...