On The Vine: Cowboys, wings & bees, a look at the best diversity stories of 2025
Well, it looks like we managed to triumph through another year. As we get into the new year, I’d like to remind Star readers of some of the great stories we have published over the last 12 months about the very diverse communities in and around Kansas City.
Star reporters have written about everything from the opening and closing of new restaurants and other businesses owned and operated by members of our Black, brown and LGBTQ communities and women, to stories about outstanding educators, artists, social justice advocates, exotic animal lovers, authors, civic leaders, nonprofits, and events.
While each story was informative, entertaining, and served as a reminder of how and why the diversity of people and culture helps to enrich the lives of all Kansas Citians, several of those stories stood out as some of the best in 2025.
Many of these stories are ones that I’ve shared as part of the On The Vine newsletter.
Here’s my short list of the best diversity stories of the past year published in The Star.
In February, during Black History Month, culture and identity reporter J.M. Banks introduced readers to a historic part of Kansas City that many of us never knew existed. Through a series of interviews with longtime KC residents such as Alvin Brooks, Banks explored the history and future of Dunbar, once a vibrant neighborhood. The story tells readers about the residents who want to bring life back to what had years ago been considered Kansas City’s Black mecca.
In March, Banks helped Kansas City celebrate America’s longest-running Black-owned radio station, broadcasting from Kansas City for 75 years. With photos, special to The Star by Roy Inman, the story took us inside KPRS Hot 103.3 and introduced readers to some of the personalities who for years have hosted shows such as “The Hustle and Shyne Morning Show,” with Brian Brooks, known to listeners as Brian B. Shynin’ and his co-host Deona a Histle. The story shares the history of the station and the operators’ plans for years to come.
In August, Star reporter Eleanor Nash told the story of how a Kansas nonprofit that claimed to help transgender kids ended up being abandoned by LGBTQ supporters and sued by Kansas amid allegations that it took money from well-meaning donors a left a pattern of hostile interactions in its wake.
The Star partnered with KKFI Community Radio and told the stories of nine educators in the media organization’s third year of an award-winning special community connection series called Voices of Kansas City. Each story was told in a question-and-answer format to showcase the authentic voice of the person interviewed. Last year’s series featured the founder of BLAQUE, a non-profit determined to improve public schools for Kansas City kids, a retired engineer who fulfilled a dream to start an urban youth orchestra, and more.
Taiwanese businessman Benny Lee, in a Star Q&A, was given a platform to tell his story of how he became a successful businessman in Kansas City. He talks, in the story, about his love of music and how, now, as one of the city’s known philanthropists, he supports the arts, especially jazz and philharmonic music performances. Lee welcomed Star reporter Banks to his home, where Lee frequently hosts Kansas City musicians to perform a mini-concert for about 100 of his invited guests.
In October, The Star published a story about the growth of African drumming and dance in Kansas City and introduced readers to two of the leading studio owners responsible for bringing the art form and the history behind it to musicians and dancers from all walks of life.
In November, Banks and Star photographer Dominick Williams spent several days with a group of urban beekeepers to tell the story of how beekeeping in Kansas City’s central city neighborhoods is transforming lives and saving communities.
The same reporting team, Banks and Williams, had earlier in the year spent several days with Black cowboys to tell the story — in words and photos — of the Black rodeo’s visit to Hale Arena in Kansas City.
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.
- A Kansas City horseman who has been fighting for recognition of Black cowboys lands a feature in a documentary by a famous Black director. Banks talked to him about his appearance.
- The wings at this popular Raytown lounge are exceptional. Banks paid a visit to this hot spot and wrote about the wings and other fantastic dinning options. See where he went and what he had to say about the food.
Around The Vine
- It’s not too late to explore the annual Black Santa exhibit, which runs through Jan. 9, at the Bruce R. Watkins Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, featuring the Wilhelmina L. Stewart collection of more than 40 figurines honoring cultural holiday traditions. The center is accepting Black Santa donations to grow the exhibit for next year.
- Keep your eyes and ears open to learn which films are selected for The 2026 Reel Black Film Fest, being announced on Monday, Jan. 12. Kansas City PBS is honoring the vibrant culture, history and creativity of Black Kansas City through the power of film. Festival tickets will be available on Monday, Jan. 19. The event runs next month
Vine Picks
- You’ve probably noticed lots of construction around the Wornall Bridge at the Country Club Plaza. Part of the construction includes work around a historic Kansas City statue that has stood in its place since 1984. Star reporter Rashad Alexander tells us about the statue and what’s to become of it.
- It’s to miss the news about the U.S. attack on Venezuela and the capture the country’s president Nicholas Maduro and his wife. Star opinion writer David Mastio gives his take on why the U.S. taking control of the oil-rich South American country — if that were to happen — would be “among the more normal bad things Trump has done since taking office.”
- Kansas City Chiefs have wrapped up their disappointing 6-11 season and news is out about two of the team’s assistant coaches. Matt Nagy isn’t the only Chiefs assistant associated with the Tennessee Titans’ head coaching job, find out who else appears to be a candidate for an NFL head coach position.
- A record number of bald eagles have been spotted at a Missouri refuge, reporter Joseph Hernandez shares in this piece where bird watchers can see one of these majestic creatures.
- If a pickled plum martini sounds like your kind of cocktail, this new space in Columbus Park could be just the spot you’ve been looking for. Star reporter Jenna Thompson writes about a Japanese-style tea house unlike any other bar in KC.
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.
