When Joseph “Jo Blaq” Macklin left Los Angeles after a successful decade producing for artists like Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, he came home to Kansas City with a new purpose: to create opportunities that didn’t exist when he was growing up.
After visiting his old stomping grounds — Coronado Middle School and Washington High School in Kansas City, Kansas — he was struck by how little had changed. “I asked what kind of programs they had for the kids, and they said, ‘We don’t,’” he recalled. “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t come back and give the resources I was given?”
That question became the foundation for DISTRKCT, a new Black-owned content studio, coworking space, and creative training hub officially opening its doors on Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025, inside the Agnes Arts building at 1328 Agnes Ave.
DISTRKCT began with a clear mission: eliminate the barriers young people face when pursuing creative careers. Their early focus, in 2021, centered on students in schools with limited arts access. Macklin and his team built hands-on programming in audio engineering, content creation, photography, videography, and business development, supported by professional-grade recording and production spaces. The goal was simple: real resources, real training, real opportunity.
That foundation set the stage for what came next.
More than a studio: From Classroom to Careers
As DISTRKCT began working inside schools, its purpose became more defined. The objective was not only to introduce students to creative fields but to provide legitimate training, equipment, and professional standards. Students worked with industry-grade tools and learned from active professionals, giving them a clear view of viable career paths.
The impact was significant. In one partner school, De La Salle, attendance among participating students increased from 67% to 97% within two years. For Macklin, the data confirmed what he had already observed: when students are given meaningful opportunities and mentorship, they engage. “They just need someone to believe in them,” he said. “They need something they actually want to do.”
As results grew, so did the scope of the work. It became clear that Kansas City’s working creatives faced many of the same barriers. Limited access to resources, lack of training support, and insufficient professional environments. DISTRKCT expanded its model to meet those needs. Now, students participate at no cost, while adult creators can access memberships, studios, and training at accessible rates.
This structure responds to the longstanding underfunding of arts education and limited pathways for creative careers. DISTRKCT is building local infrastructure to support talent, ensuring creators do not need to leave Kansas City to gain industry-level access and opportunity.
Operations director Heather Hobbs played a central role in scaling the initiative from a school-based program to a comprehensive studio and training facility. “We’re teaching from real experience,” Hobbs said. “Everyone here is active in their field and doing the work.”
DISTRKCT operates through a hybrid business model. The nonprofit foundation funds student programming and transportation, while the for-profit studio generates revenue through services, space rentals, and memberships. Macklin has personally financed most of the buildout during this phase while long-term partnerships and funding streams are being established. “If that means I have to front it right now, I will,” he said. “Whatever it takes.”
Inside the Creative Sanctuary
The 7,000-square-foot space is equipped for every kind of creative work. There’s a cyc wall for photographers and videographers, an audio suite for producers and musicians, a content studio for influencers and podcasters, and dedicated areas for editing and coworking.
Membership options, which start as low as $45 per month, include day passes, virtual memberships for business registration, and professional-level plans that come with monthly studio credits and event discounts. Locker and storage areas are also available, allowing creators to safely store equipment on-site.
DISTRKCT will also feature a coffee shop operated in partnership with local businesswoman Raquel Rodriguez, founder and owner of El Cafe Cubano Coffee, where High School students can work and get hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and customer service. “Our goal is to teach them business ownership and build their confidence in every area of creativity,” Macklin said.
Beyond production, DISTRKCT aims to serve as a community hub. The venue will host panels, masterclasses, and live events, with infrastructure to support everything from photo shoots to small concerts.
“We want this to be a melting pot of all creatives,” Macklin said. “A place where everyone, from podcasters to photographers, can collaborate, network, and grow,” Hobbs added that every aspect of the space, from the equipment and software to the community-driven atmosphere, is designed for sustainability and replication. “We’re documenting everything,” she said. “The goal is to create a blueprint we can bring to other cities. When you walk into DISTRKCT in Kansas City or Atlanta, you’ll feel the same energy.”
For Macklin, that energy starts with intention. Before painting the walls, the team wrote scriptures, affirmations, and prayers on the wood beneath the surface. A gesture he believes gives the building its warmth. “People walk in and say it feels comfortable, safe, creative, vibrant,” he said. “That’s exactly what I wanted. I wanted people from all parts of the city to feel at home.”
The road to opening hasn’t been easy. Construction setbacks, technical failures, and financial strain nearly halted progress more than once. “There were times I didn’t know if we’d make it,” Macklin admitted. “But last week I looked around and realized it was all worth it.”
Now that the walls are up and the lights are on, Distrckt is ready to open its doors to a city full of untapped talent. “Kansas City has some of the most creative people I’ve ever met,” Macklin said. “It’s time we had a space that reflects that.”
