Arts & Culture Archives – Kansas City Defender

Officially Here: Kansas City’s Ultimate Guide to Black Owned Restaurants (Full Listing)

By KC Defender Staff ● Arts & Culture ● January 19, 2023 January 19, 2023

Kansas City is home to some of the best Black-owned restaurants in the country. From soul food to Caribbean cuisine, jazz clubs, and brunch spots, you’ll never need to go anywhere else for a delicious meal. Here’s your ultimate guide to all the Black-owned restaurants in Kansas City.

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The Explosion of AI Artwork & Its Harmful Impact on Black Creatives

By Jade Underwood ● Arts & Culture ● January 13, 2023 January 13, 2023

Artwork created by AI machines has gone viral on the internet. Artists however, are outraged as it may be doing more harm than good.

From Tragedy to Triumph: The Expansion of Kansas City Jazz in the 1920’s

By Nedaley Desauguste ● Arts & Culture ● January 13, 2023 January 13, 2023

How Kansas City’s Jazz scene evolved from a tragedy of racist oppression, to a story of triumph, beauty and renaissance. Beneath the City continues to be a 3-part series uncovering the truths of how historical Kansas City affected black artists.

Guilty At a Glance: Megan Thee Stallion, Misogynoir, and Shattering the Perfect Victim Narrative

By Breanna Bonner ● Opinion ● December 27, 2022 December 27, 2022

Why “The Culture” branded Megan the Stallion as guilty before the trial even started. And why the case matters to all Black girls & women.

young couple watching horror movie while sitting on a couch at home. Young man is smiling with arm wrapped around a young girl covering her face with her hand.

Black Horror Films to Watch Before Halloween is Over

By Jade Underwood ● Arts & Culture ● October 25, 2022 October 25, 2022

Halloween is coming and it’s time to get in a spooky mood. Here is a list of some black horror and thriller films to watch before the season comes to a close. These are in no particular order, so feel free to pick and choose what movie feels right for you.

Beneath the City: Black Business Owners Turn History into Hot Spots

By Nedaley Desauguste ● Arts & Culture ● October 4, 2022 October 4, 2022

KC has more to offer than just our famous BBQ. Learn the history behind our Black business’ fascinating blend of aesthetic and architecture.

7 Mouthwatering KC Restaurants To Try for Black Restaurant Week

By KC Defender Staff ● Black Business ● September 8, 2022 September 12, 2022

From Caribbean and Ethiopian to Cajun or a Chai Latte, we’ve curated a short list of 7 must-visit Black owned restaurants in Kansas City.

Black Student of the Month 🏆: Isaiah Evans

By Ryan S. ● Education ● September 2, 2022 September 2, 2022

This prestigious award recognizes Black students across the KC Metro. Winners are poised to be the trailblazers and visionaries of the future.

KC Hip Hop Renaissance: A Historic Moment As KC-based Artists Burst Into National Music Scene

By KC Defender Staff ● Arts & Culture ● July 8, 2022 July 9, 2022

Sleazyworld GO is arguably the hottest upcoming hip hop artist in the country right now after going viral on TikTok with his major hit “Sleazy Flow.”

“Lightskins Vs. Darkskins”: The Epidemic of Colorism on Social Media and in Pop Culture

By Kayla Sydnor ● Arts & Culture ● June 23, 2022 June 23, 2022

From Twitter to YouTube, many celebrities and influencers have been called out for being colorist, which is nearly synonymous with being racist in the Black community. Some call-outs occur from real-time actions and statements, while others happen due to uncovered past tweets or uploaded videos.