High 5: Kansas City changemakers strengthen culture, classrooms, and congregations
These articles describe Kansas City leaders who protect cultural traditions, innovate in schools, and make communities more inclusive. They find creative ways to solve challenges and preserve valued spaces for future generations.
One children’s store owner supports generations of families but must close shop after thirty years. A historic church, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, secures major funding to repair and protect its unique architecture. Local musicians teach African drum and dance, attracting younger, more diverse students and carrying these traditions forward. A public charter school tackles teacher shortages by offering paid, hands-on experience to aspiring educators. A local church responds to repeated vandalism of its Pride banner by working with police and reaffirming its message of welcome.
NO. 1: INSIDE KC’S THRIVING AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE COMMUNITY, YOUNGER THAN EVER
At the Traditional Music Society’s Saturday class, Kansas City percussionist Bird Fleming stood in front of a congregation of students from various races, ages, and genders. | Published October 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks
NO. 2: ‘THE GODMOTHER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD’ IS CLOSING 30-YEAR-OLD KC CHILDREN’S STORE
Ann Michael — known by friends as “Annie” — can’t go long when talkingtalk long about her children’s store closing before her eyes begin to glisten. | Published October 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson
NO. 3: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT CHURCH NEAR KC’S COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA GETS $160K REPAIR GRANT
When famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed what is now the modern, white Community Christian Church just east of Kansas City’s County Club Plaza, he reportedly declared it to be fireproof, earthquake proof and vermin proof. | Published October 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Adler
NO. 4: MISSOURI HAS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. OUR KANSAS CITY SCHOOL HAS A SOLUTION | OPINION
There is a national teacher shortage, and Missouri is no exception. | Published October 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tricia DeGraff
NO. 5: KC-AREA CHURCH CONTENDS WITH SERIAL VANDALISM TO PRIDE BANNER: ‘MY HEART SANK’
An Overland Park church’s message of inclusivity and love towards members of the LGBTQ+ community in the form of an outdoor banner has been repeatedly torn down, ripped apart and stolen from its property for years, a church leader says. | Published October 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by PJ Green
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.