This interview is part of the “Ecosystem Builders” series. More information about the ESHIP Communities program can be found here. Q:What is your deeper “why” behind your commitment and work to support inclusive entrepreneurship in Kansas City?  A: Starting out in both the tech sector and restaurants, we made a lot of costly mistakes that made life very hard. During that time, it didn’t feel like anyone was there to help us avoid those. If we had, I felt like we would have a ..read more

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Editor’s note: This article is part of a larger series called Solution Stories, which aim to tell the story of the work Forward Cities is helping to guide in cities across the country.  For additional background on the specific approach taken in communities like Indianapolis, please visit the first article in the series here. As part of a two year Community Entrepreneurship Accelerator aimed at strengthening the local Indianapolis eq ..read more

This interview is part of the “Ecosystem Builders” series. More information about the ESHIP Communities program can be found here. Q: What is something that’s happening in Kansas City right now that you are excited about?  A: I am really excited with the growth and development that’s going on in the city right now. It’s great to be in KC during this really exciting time, and being able to capitalize on some of the momentum the city has gotten over the past 5-8 years ..read more

This photo of Edgar Galicia (far left) was provided courtesy of Latino Arts Foundation and is from its quarterly Latinx CEO Meet and Greet with the Community event. This interview is part of the “Ecosystem Builders” series. More information about the ESHIP Communities program can be found here. Edgar is one of the founding members of our ESHIP Communities Council in Kansas Cit ..read more

This interview is part of the “Ecosystem Builders” series. More information about the ESHIP Communities program can be found here. Q: What is something that’s happening in KC right now that you are excited about? A: The ESHIP buzz is exciting not only for the Kansas City entrepreneurship community as a whole, but it’s also providing light to the underserved communities and helping to increase the conversation about inequalities and what’s needed to level playing fields as i ..read more

Editor’s note: This article is part of a larger series called Solution Stories, which illuminates how Forward Cities is helping to guide in cities across the country. For background on the specific approach taken in communities like New Kensington, please visit the first article in the series here, and Kim’s previous post, Rustbelt Renaissance: The Case of New Kensington, PA. Across the country, community-led revitalization is gainin ..read more

Editor’s note: This article is part of a larger series called Solution Stories, which aim to tell the story of the work Forward Cities is helping to guide in cities across the country. For additional background on the specific approach taken in communities like Franklin County, please visit the first article in the series found here. Six successful restaurant and retail entrepreneurs will be matched with a team of high-level consulta ..read more

This interview is part of the “Ecosystem Builders” series. More information about the ESHIP Communities program can be found here. Dr. Ebony Edwards is passionate about making a unique and positive impact in Kansas City. She is a member of our ESHIP Communities Council in Kansas City. The ESHIP Communities program is a community-driven approach for building entrepreneurial ecosystems that foster inclusion, relationships, collaboration, and social capital across networks of en ..read more

This interview is part of the “Ecosystem Builders” series. More information about the ESHIP Communities program can be found here. Meet Kansas City entrepreneur and ecosystem builder Gerald Smith. Gerald and his wife Dianna co-founded Plexpod, a coworking space where they champion entrepreneurs and the power of community to achieve success. Gerald is one of the founding members of our ESHIP Communities Council in Kansas City. The ESHIP Communities program is a community-drive ..read more