Urban Connections

Toni Talley is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry. She is currently a television host and producer for a lifestyle program on FOX4 (WDAF-TV), Great Day KC, where she […] The post Toni Talley on balancing career and family in the entertainment industry appeared first on KKFI .

This weekend in Kansas City, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated’s Lambda Epsilon Chapter of Kansas City, MO, recognizes its 50th Charter Day anniversary, “Celebrating 50 Years of  LEgendary LEadership: Power […] The post Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Lambda Epsilon Chapter: Leadership and Service – Past, Present and Future appeared first on KKFI .

Black in Kansas City is an exploration of the diversity of Black communities that have contributed to and helped shape Kansas City today. While all may have roots that go […] The post Baraza African Cultures Center continues the dialogue Black in Kansas City II appeared first on KKFI .

Historian Dr. Daive Dunkley raises questions about historically enslaved and colonized populations. His research focuses on the history and culture of the Caribbean and the wider Black Atlantic. He has […] The post Dr. Daive Dunkley, MU Director of Black Studies, talks history appeared first on KKFI .

Exploring Cuba: Erasing Fears Through Multicultural Education details the cultural and professional exchanges to Cuba organized by the National Association of Multicultural Education (NAME) between 2015 and 2019, with additional […] The post Lewis W. Diuguid, author, on his latest work Exploring Cuba: Erasing Fears through Multicultural Education appeared first on KKFI .

  Carl A. Stafford, artist, is founder and visionary of My Region Wins! a Kansas City creative non-profit organization. My Region Wins! programs and projects are created to address neighborhoods’ […] The post Carl A. Stafford, founder/visionary of My Region Wins! on habilitating dreams appeared first on KKFI .

    Kansas City’s own Nedra Dixon, performer, director, lyricist, librettist, and choreographer is a veteran of Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours  and regional performances. Dixon’s  special event performances include: The […] The post Nedra Dixon on “A God*Sib’s Tale” world premiere musical by The Black Repertory Theatre of KC appeared first on KKFI .

  Sylvester “Sly” James, Jr. served as Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri from 2011 – 2019. During his tenure, Kansas City enjoyed a renaissance boasting nationally recognized successes in modern […] The post Sly James, former KCMO Mayor, speaks of wisdom and experience appeared first on KKFI .

Winemaker Phil Long is the president of the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) and the founder of Longevity Wines, a brand based on his love affair with his wife, […] The post Phil Long, President – Association of African American Vintners on wine and the wine industry appeared first on KKFI .

Bird Ellington Fleming, is the Artistic Director and founder of the Traditional Music Society (TMS). TMS is a dynamic journey through music and dance from multiple world cultures. TMS’ World […] The post Bird Fleming and the Traditional Music Society celebrates World Music and Dance appeared first on KKFI .

Riverfront Reading Series is presenting “Feeling the Gap” where iconic Kansas City artists Gena Bardwell, Phyllis Becker and Angela Hagenbach have joined their energies through poetry, fiction and music to […] The post Iconic KC artists Bardwell, Becker and Hagenbach together in poetry, fiction, and music feeling the ancestors appeared first on KKFI .

Carl A. Stafford is a local artist (graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute in 2006) founded a non profit organization whose name is a rallying cry: MY REGION WINS!  […] The post Carl A. Stafford, founder/visionary, My Region Wins! addressing injustices and issues in KC neighborhoods appeared first on KKFI .

Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, and the Actors’ Equity Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization supporting the […] The post Damron Armstrong on Black Repertory Theatre of KC – recipient of 2023 Paul Robeson Award appeared first on KKFI .

The Prospect KC’s Second Annual Gumbo Fest, a Party with a Purpose initiative inspired by “The Gumbo Coalition,” a book by Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and […] The post Chef Shanita, founder of the Prospect KC, 2nd Annual Gumbo Fest celebrating the revitalization of our Eastside appeared first on KKFI .

PeaceWorks KC Vice Chair Mary Hladky, visual artist Melanie Bolden, and artist and author Rochelle Wisoff-Fields join us to discuss PeaceWorks Art Fair 2023, its 32nd celebration of the intersection […] The post PeaceWorks KC Vice Chair Mary Hladky, artist Melanie Bolden, and artist and author Rochelle Wisoff-Fields on the intersection of peace and art appeared first on KKFI .

Dr. Cecelia McBride Robinson, Professor Emerita of William Jewell College, began her career as an educator in the state of Missouri in 1972. Prior to her teaching appointment at William […] The post Dr. Cecelia McBride Robinson, Professor Emerita of William Jewel College on the rich history of African Americans in Clay County, MO appeared first on KKFI .

James (aka Grand Dad)  and Janice Nunnelly (his wife and high-school sweetheart) are well known in the Kansas City community for health care advocacy, youth outreach and youth mentoring. Jim […] The post James and Janice Nunnelly on community service through activism and advocacy appeared first on KKFI .

Byron Stamps is a former educator and stand up comedian, who taught Algebra for 11 years, receiving Teacher of the Year 3 times along the way. Byron has performed stand […] The post Byron Stamps, teacher, producer on Truth in Comedy – storytelling, stand-up, comedy, and art where humanity is the muse appeared first on KKFI .

KC Scholars team members Anta’ Williams, Nita Daniels, Edna Adelusola and Dee Burns join to discuss how the organization creates a strong continuing education and college-going culture across our region. […] The post KC Scholars team share how the organization is positively impacting lives in the Kansas City area appeared first on KKFI .

Bird Ellington Fleming, Artistic Director and founder of the Traditional Music Society (traditionalmusicsociety.org) celebrates TMS’ 25th Anniversary of a dynamic journey through music and dance from world cultures. TMS’ annual […] The post Bird Fleming, founder/artistic director of the Traditional Music Society and its 25th Anniversary serving Kansas City, teaching music and dance from indigenous...

Cynthia Bryant, J.D (Juris Doctor), LL.M. (Master of Laws), became chair of The Seeing Eye’s Board of Trustees, March 9, 2023. The Seeing Eye, founded in 1929, provides specially bred […] The post Cynthia Bryant, Board of Trustee chair of The Seeing Eye, providing specially bred and trained guide dogs for blind individuals appeared first on KKFI .

Damron Russel Armstrong, Founder and Executive Director of the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City, joins us to share his recent experience directing Lorraine Hansberry’s classic drama “A Raisin in […] The post Damron Armstrong, Executive Director of the Black Repertory Theatre of KC on “A Raisin in the Sun” appeared first on KKFI .

Freeman Augustus Jackson is a Doctoral Candidate in Computer Science at Aspen University. He is a dedicated researcher with a passion for artificial intelligence and has been working in the […] The post Author, researcher Freeman A. Jackson on the importance of teaching children the basics of computer science and AI appeared first on KKFI .

Darnell “Solo” Kirkwood is a self-taught LA based multidisciplinary artist that was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. Playing basketball in college for Lynn University and overseas in Denmark, […] The post KC’s own Darnell “Solo” Kirkwood, LA based multidisciplinary artist exhibits his “Discoveries Along the Way” appeared first on KKFI .

Entrepreneur, author, life shift coach and motivational speaker, Rochinda Pickens Energizing, empowering, and effective are a few words that define Rochinda. Her mission is to reach, teach and inspire others […] The post Author Rochinda Pickens on living life unapologetically doing what you love appeared first on KKFI .