More than 60 victors crowned at 2025 KC People’s Choice Awards. Here’s the winners
While there were many winners at the 2025 Kansas City People’s Choice Awards, everyone wins when the city’s urban core is celebrated.
In the ceremony’s seventh year, but the first year at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, businesses, nonprofits, entertainers, and artists all turned out in their red carpet finery to see who was voted best in their field by the people of Kansas City.
Some businesses, like dance team KCK Diamond Dolls, have earned multiple awards across the seven years of what founder Terrell Ray calls the ‘Kansas City Grammys.’
Here are the winners of the 2025 KC People’s Choice Awards:
Best Author Dayonne Richardson
Best Barber Mauri Clipz
Best Barbershop A Clean Edge
Best Boutique K Made It (Kenya Martin)
Best Brows Malia Chanel
The KC G.I.F.T. Best Business Savvy Salon
Best Cake Maker Karen’s Kakes
Best Chef Polly Smith
Best Child Development & Educational Center To God Be The Glory Little Learners
Best Childbirth Professional/Doula Christian King
Best Choreographer/Dance Instructor Manual Lukky Harvey
Best Clothing Apparel Line Made Mobb
Best Clothing Designer Isaiah Francises
The New Reflections Best Community Organization Giving Hope & Help
Best Content Creator/Influencer Emma Ezzell (Kansas City Places)
Best Dance/Drill Team KCK Diamond Dolls
Best Educator Stefanie Rentie
Best Event Designer Life Of The Party KC
Best Event Host/Emcee Angela Believes
Best Event Space The Benson Event Space
Best Facial & Skincare MxM Beauty Bar
Best Female Barber Storm Da Barber (Rahnesha Carson)
Best Female Dj DJ Doop
Best Female Fitness Trainer Mia Moore
Best Female Hip Hop/ Rap Artist Sleazyworld Stormy
Best Female Model Haleigh Marie
Best Female Vocalist Delynia Jannell
Best Food & Catering Services Loaded With Flavor Catering
Best Food Truck The Food Factory
Best Gospel Vocalist/Rapper Tobbi & Tommi
Best Graphic Design Marcus Gladdis
Best Hair Braider Cierra Burnett
Best Hair Salon Theory Salon
Best Hair Stylist Book Kyerra
Best Lashes Curtika Nelson
Best Loctician Locsnsoca
The Pinklipps Cosmetics Best Makeup Artist Award Morghan Borders
Best Male Dj Dj Foots
The PowerHouse Fitness Best Male Fitness Trainer Christian Ricketts
Best Male Hip Hop/Rap Artist Phantom Pesos
Best Male Model Darrell Walker Jr
Best Male Vocalist Marcus J Williams Jr
Best Manicure Nisha Nails
Best Massage Therapy Healing Hands KC (Brittany Marshall)
Best Musician Rob Trib III
Best News Reporter Kevin Holmes
Best Outstanding Youth Zya Gadson
Best Pedicure B Marie Nails
The Tee Ervin Best Photographer Award ACA Photography
Best Podcast Holdin’ Court
The Tracy Bobo HBS Best Promoter Award Tez Carter
The Chris King Best Radio Personality Award Deona Hustle
Best Realtor Willis Woods Sr.
Best Restaurant Urban on Troost
Best Spoken Word Artist Mell The Poet
Best Sweets & Treats Vee’s Sweets and Treats
Best Tattoo Artist Dimitrius Davis
Best Therapist Dr. Tamela Ross
Best Travel Agent Leyshon Wimbush Evans
Best Videographer Lamal Mack
Best Visual Artist Lynell Diggs
The Calvin Wainright Best Youth Sports Coach Stuart Wright
Best Youth Sports Organization/Team LSN Chiefs
The Black Privilege Businessman of the Year Mark Byrd
The Black Privilege Businesswoman of the Year LaShawn Walker
The Lifetime Achievement Award Marva Moses
The Community First Award Chris Goode
This story was originally published July 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM.
