On The Vine: Applause to KC artists & plan for ‘Black Wall Street’ east of Troost
I met a gentleman this past weekend at the 18th and Vine Arts Conference and when I told him about my On The Vine column and newsletter, he suggested I incorporate the expression, “the buzz on the vine.”
A promise is a promise. So Ivan Fenwick, district leader at Primerica Financial Services, if you are reading, and I hope you are, here’s proof that The Star values ideas and suggestions from its subscribers and future subscribers:
The buzz on the vine this week has a lot to do with art, entrepreneurship and shrinking the Black-white wealth gap.
Kansas City is encouraging artists and small business owners of color to get in the mix and apply for grants up to $10,000 to open pop-up shops in vacant downtown storefronts as part of its Open Doors! Program ahead of the 2026 World Cup games.
The subject came up at the arts conference, held at the Keystone meeting space on 18th Street north of the Historic Jazz District, last Saturday afternoon.
The meeting area was alive with Black artists from around Kansas City who were invited by the 18th and Vine Arts Festival Foundation — sponsors — to learn about a variety of issues impacting creatives living in and enriching this city.
Among the topics were prioritizing mental health, financial readiness, brand building, marketing, entrepreneurship, and growth opportunities. It was the latter that grabbed my attention and the attention of everyone in the room.
Mayor Quinton Lucas set the tone, assuring the artists that he recognizes the power of art and how important it is to the beauty and inclusion in Kansas City, and that our artists of color are celebrated and supported.
Nia Webster, assistant director of neighborhood services for KCMO, stepped in to talk about pairing real estate owners who have empty storefronts with tenants. She nudged the artists to apply for the grants that would allow them temporary access to retail space in key locations in downtown Kansas City.
Building Black wealth
On Monday I met with Ajia Morris, co-founder of the Greenline Foundation, who is opening headquarters on Friday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. in a big old refurbished house at 3242 Benton Boulevard south of 31st Street and north of 33 Street. And, at the same time, she is launching the Community Business Academy, billed as “a transformative initiative addressing systemic barriers for entrepreneurs on Kansas City’s East Side.”
Greenline is exactly what it sounds like — the opposite of the discriminatory practice of denying financial services, mortgages and insurance to residents of certain neighborhoods based on their race or ethnicity, known as redlining.
Morris told me the foundation’s academy intends to operate as a work space for Black business startups providing business education, mentorship and access to capital.
She envisions Black professionals, small business owners and homeowners moving into the 64128 zip code area — marked as having the highest percentage of vacant housing in Kansas City — and transforming it into a thriving community. Think Kansas City’s version of a Black Wall Street.
Off The Vine
Below are stories about culture and identity from communities in the Kansas City metro area. Go here to find more stories on culture and identity from Star reporter J.M. Banks.
Wife of a former Kansas City Black Panther returned home to KC to inspire the growing next generation of Panthers here. Banks talked with Charlotte O’Neal and young members of the Black Panthers about why now, and the work they are doing in the city.
Local beekeepers have started hives set in formerly vacant lots in the urban core of Kansas City. The initiative is saving communities. Banks and Star photographer Dominick Williams follow the MoHives founders to learn about the effort.
Around The Vine
Go on a holiday shopping spree at the KC G.I.F.T. Small Business Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 at the G.I.F.T. offices 8005 Prospect Ave. admission is free.
Join the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Nelson Atkins for a screening and discussion of the film “Powwow People,” with Filmmaker and visual artist Sky Hopinka.
Planet Anime is in town Friday through Sunday, Nov. 21, 22 and 23 at the Kansas City Convention Center Bartle Hall, 301 West 13th St.. Times vary depending on the day.
Vine Picks
A beloved Kansas City makeup artist died. Reporter J.M. Banks talked with his clients and friends about his talent and beyound that, why they loved him.
KCK officials bow to Trump administration and cut women-and minority-owned hiring requirements The Star’s KCK and Wyandotte County reporter Sofi Zeman has all the details.
Falls, infections after surgery, miscommunications with staff and other preventable safety issues kill more than 200,000 people each year: A healthcare watchdog group ranks hospitals, and reporter Eleanor Nash tells readers where the worst are in the KC metro.
One of only seven Black soldiers who fought in World War II to have ever been awarded the military’s highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor, was posthumously awarded a KC high school diploma. Star reporter Eric Adler tells Pfc. Willy F. James, Jr.’s story and which high school celebrated him.
Your voice matters to us. What local issues do you want to hear discussed in On The Vine? Let me, Mará Rose Williams, The Star’s assistant managing editor for race and equity, know directly at mdwilliams@kcstar.com. Thank you for reading.
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This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
