Explore 5 profiles of Kansas City change-makers

Explore these profiles of Kansas Citians who dedicate themselves to community service and cultural enrichment. You'll find stories of personal transformation, attempts to improve local life, and the nurturing of youth and culture.

Menja Sugure, owner of Sugure in Japan, sets a bowl of ramen in the pick-up window at KC Craft Ramen for pop-up event. By Emily Curiel

NO. 1: HOW CULTURAL FOODS DELICIOUSLY CONNECT COMMUNITIES AND BUILD BONDS IN THE KC METRO

Japanese chef, Menja Sugure, carefully lifted bowl after bowl of steaming ramen swimming in a spicy broth, into the serving window at KC Craft Ramen, a local Kansas restaurant packed with diners from different backgrounds, eager to experience the authentic flavors being shared by ramen masters at a recent pop-up designed as a community connector. | Published September 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

Wyandotte’s J.R. Hoodstar mentors boys in life skills through his Boys to Men Workshop, building brighter futures with hands-on automotive training.

NO. 2: MEET J.R. HOODSTAR, THE WYANDOTTE COUNTY MC WHO ALSO TEACHES AUTO MAINTENANCE

James Donnelson, better known as J.R. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

No image found

Kansas City’s Shelly Foster for years has opened her home to foster children, more than 140 kids over the years. Now she’s vying for an emergency shelter for kids, and launching programs like YES, teaching life skills.

NO. 3: THIS KC MOM HAS FOSTERED 140 KIDS. NOW SHE WANTS TO CHANGE FOSTER CARE FOREVER

Growing up in a multigenerational home with great-grand parents, aunts and siblings on Kansas City’s east side, Shelly Foster witnessed the power of one woman’s influence to change lives. | Published September 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

Deaunte Thomas uses portraits, murals and teaching to heal Kansas City communities, donating art to grieving families and serving as artistic director for the 18th and Vine Arts Fair. By J.M. Banks

NO. 4: KC ARTIST DONATES THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN PAINTINGS TO BUILD CULTURAL BRIDGES

Deaunte Thomas is an artist deeply rooted in the Kansas City community, known not only for his versatile and compelling style but also for using his art to heal and bring people together. | Published October 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks

Selah Thompson (front) teaches how the skirt is used in Afro Cuban dance to mimic natural movements seen in nature at the Traditional Music Society dance class. By Susan Pfannmuller

NO. 5: 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

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.