Stories of change led by Kansas City residents

This collection of stories features individuals and groups working to inspire and drive change in Kansas City.

Kar Woo founded an organization that helps homeless residents find stability and resources, while Calvin Neal draws from his experience with crime to mentor local youth. Shelle West started a nonprofit after organizing a Thanksgiving dinner to address needs in the community, and Dominique Allen combines technology with fine dining to create unique dining experiences.

Christina Clark celebrates her Vietnamese heritage by bringing traditional recipes to Kansas City’s food scene, and the story about Queen of the World Hospital highlights efforts toward racial integration in healthcare.

Read the stories below.

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Calvin Neal, member of the AdHoc Group Against Crime has dedicated his life to mentoring young men to help them stay away from a life of crime. By J.M. Banks

NO. 1: AT NEARLY 80, ANTI-VIOLENCE ADVOCATE USES HIS LIFE OF CRIME TO MOTIVATE KC YOUTH

“At one time I had taken so much from my community that now I feel that I am able to give something back and I don’t mind getting out there in the mix.” | Published October 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

Dominique Allen, chef at Hotel Phillips in Kansas City, adds fun and drama to dining with the Le Petite Chef and Friends 3D immersive dinner. By J.M. Banks

NO. 2: KC CHEF BLENDS TECH AND FINE DINING: DELIGHTING PATRONS WITH ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE

I get excited every time for people to enjoy this experience and I get to see them tap into their inner child seeing something new and different. | Published October 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

Kar Woo came to Kansas City over 30 years ago and began a career in art that soon turned into him using his resources to give aid to the homeless.

NO. 3: ASIAN ARTIST CAME TO THE U.S. YEARS AGO WITH NOTHING, NOW HE HELPS HOUSE KC HOMELESS

“It was the first time I got acquainted with homeless people. I was kind of intrigued on how the richest shopping area in Kansas City had so many homeless people. “ | Published November 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

Private chef Christina Clark presents a beautifully crafted entree to guests at a dinner party she was hired to cater. By Roy Inman

NO. 4: KANSAS CITY CHEF PART OF NEW GENERATION OF ASIANS STIRRING TRADITIONS INTO MEALS

“I recognized that I just didn’t fit in certain friend groups, certain social groups and a lot of that healing began in the kitchen.” | Published November 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

Arthur Kraft’s vibrant circus mosaic greeted visitors to the former children’s department in Kansas City’s old Main Library.

NO. 5: THIS ARTIST WAS BEHIND FAMOUS KANSAS CITY MOSAIC, OTHER WORKS. BUT WHERE IS IT NOW?

You might recognize several of this artist’s whimsical pieces. But one of the most-seen now sits in storage. | Published January 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Patrick Salland

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Shelle West answered a childhood desire to help those in need and founded a nonprofit serving the less fortunate, including people without housing, youth, elderly and members of the LGBTQ communities in Kansas City.

NO. 6: AS A KID, SHE FELT NOBODY CARED FOR PEOPLE IN NEED IN KC’S URBAN CORE. NOW, SHE DOES

“We are an organization that was created to address urgent needs within in the community.” | Published February 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

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Queen of the World Hospital By FILE

NO. 7: QUEEN OF THE WORLD: HOW THIS KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL SET STANDARD FOR RACIAL INTEGRATION

The unusually named facility was the first general hospital in KC to welcome both white and Black patients, setting a new medical standard in the metro. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Wells

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.