Ryan S.

Kansas City’s Hip Hop Infrastructure is Taking Shape, Thanks to a New Generation of Artists

By Ryan S. ● Arts & Culture ● October 28, 2024

Long overshadowed by bigger markets like ATL, NYC, and Chicago, a new movement led by Phantom Pesos is reshaping Kansas City’s Hip Hop future, building local infrastructure and empowering independent musicians to take control of their careers.

Black Feast Week 2024: A Historic Success that Galvanized Kansas City’s Black Food Scene

By Ryan S. ● Food ● October 17, 2024

From feeding 100 Black single mothers to hosting events supporting books for incarcerated people, the inaugural event reached nearly 1 million impressions, ignited a resurgence in Black KC restaurants and captured national media headlines.

KC’s Latest Attempt to Build An $800 Million Human Caging Facility Must Be Stopped

By Ryan S. ● Justice ● October 11, 2024

As Kansas City Public Schools crumble under decades of neglect and chronic underfunding, the City Council has quietly moved forward with a plan to build an $800 million jail.

Mass Death Looms: Florida Refuses to Evacuate Prisons & Jails Ahead of Hurricane Milton

By Ryan S. ● Climate ● October 9, 2024

As Hurricane Milton barrels towards Florida, thousands of incarcerated individuals are left to face a death sentence. With no evacuation plan, Florida’s incarcerated are abandoned in the storm’s path.

Missouri’s Modern-Day Lynching: Marcellus Williams Advocates Speak Outside MO Supreme Court Appeal Hearing, Less Than 24 Hours Until Scheduled Execution

By Ryan S. ● Justice ● September 23, 2024

As the clock ticks toward the scheduled execution of Black faith leader Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams, advocates from across the nation rally outside the Missouri Supreme Court, fighting to stop the state-sanctioned murder of a man proven innocent.

A New Era for Black Art in Kansas City: The 18th & Vine Arts Festival Brings National Spotlight to the City’s Emerging Cultural Renaissance

By Ryan S. ● Arts & Culture ● September 19, 2024

The 18th & Vine Arts Festival is ushering in a new era for Kansas City’s historic district. Spearheaded by artistic visionary Marquez “Quez” Beasley, the mega-event aims to create lasting infrastructure for Black artists while celebrating their creativity in a three-day celebration of art, music, fashion, and community.

Black Student Suspended for Self-Defense Against White Kid Who Called Him “Dirty N*gger” and Threatened to Sexually Assault Girl Students

By Ryan S. ● Education ● September 3, 2024

Park Hill High School has become a battleground where standing up against racist and sexual violence is met with punishment instead of justice. When a Black student was suspended for confronting a white peer who hurled hate speech and threatened to sexually assault his friend, the administration’s response was not to hold the predator accountable, but to silence the defender.

Lee’s Summit Residents Demand Resignation of Racist, Right-Wing Extremist School Board Member Bill Haley

By Ryan S. ● Education ● August 16, 2024

Outraged Lee’s Summit residents are calling for the immediate resignation of right-wing extremist school board member Bill Haley after his racist “Redneck Lives Matter” gun shell display, which “mocks” Black Lives Matter and glorifies guns in schools.

Gov. Parson Breaks Silence & Signals Likely Pardon for Racist Killer Cop Eric Devalkenaere

By Ryan S. ● Justice ● August 12, 2024

On the verge of pardoning the first cop in Missouri’s history convicted of killing a Black man, Gov. Parson’s recent comments on a far-right extremist radio show expose his white supremacist intentions, signaling a grave injustice for the Black community.

KC Slumlord Neglect Leads to Black Baby’s Death from 8th Story Window; Rage Mounts After Parents Unjustly Jailed

By Ryan S. ● Housing ● August 1, 2024

In a horrifying injustice, a Black baby fell to death from an 8th story window at Independence Towers after months-long slumlord neglect. Community demands justice after grieving parents are jailed and criminalized.

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