Happy Monday,
Welcome to this week’s edition of our Kansas City newsletter! Each week, we bring you the local voices, issues, and wins that deserve the spotlight. From neighborhood legends to behind-the-scenes decisions shaping our city’s future, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s catch you up on what really matters this week in KC.
In Today’s Newsletter:
- KC Icon Willie Young celebrates 99th birthday
- Get to know the candidates for upcoming elections in KCK for the 5th District Commissioner, School Board, and BPU
- What are data centers and what can they do for Kansas City?
💡 Black Trivia Question: Who wrote the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing?
A. Claude McKay B. Langston Hughes C. James Weldon Johnson D. Maya Angelou
*See the answer after “In Other News”*
🤩 Name in Lights: Many thanks to Jane Byrnes, one of our generous donors. Financial support from our readers underwrites the work we do and allows us to keep our news free. Will you support us?
CELEBRATION
A Community Icon: Willie Young Celebrates 99 Years
He gave $0.25 haircuts, opened his yard for kids to play, and mentored generations. Now, Kansas City celebrates Willie Young at 99. Read more and see photos from the party.
A MESSAGE FROM THE KANSAS BLACK LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Join the Kansas Black Leadership Council for a powerful gathering of minds on the final stop of the 2025 Brunch Series. With a keynote from Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, we’ll celebrate our roots and sharpen our vision. From changemakers to future leaders — this is where we build. Tickets are limited — reserve your seat today.
A MESSAGE FROM THE KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION
ELECTION
BPU Board Races: The Candidates in Their Words
Get to know two candidates running for the BPU At-Lage seats— their backgrounds, views, and what’s at stake this November. See how they answer our questions on their plans, if elected on Nov. 4.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY VOICE
We’ve created one place for you to see events happening around Wichita and the entire state. Check out The Link Up today, our new online calendar!
ELECTION
Wyandotte Commission District 5: The Candidates in Their Words
Hear from 5th District Commissioner candidates Dr. Carlos Pacheco III and LaVert Murray as they answer questions on public transportation, economic development and infrastructure and neighborhood investment.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY VOICE
We have a brand new Facebook page designated for Kansas City content ONLY! Be the first to know about new stories coming out of KC when you follow our new page. Check it out today.
ELECTION
KCKPS Board Races: The Candidates in Their Words
Three of the seven seats on the Kansas City Kansas Publics Schools Board of Education are up for reelection in November. Get to know who could be making decisions for your child.
TECHNOLOGY
What Data Centers Are, Why They’re Booming — and Why Kansas City is on the Map
Kansas City is quietly becoming a central hub in the digital age — this explainer breaks down how and why data centers are booming here. Learn what this means for infrastructure, energy demand, and the city’s future.
Get Out This Week In Kansas City:
HISTORY: Jazz Storytelling. a free, family-friendly, interactive show taking place in the Jazz museum, introducing young kids to the magic of jazz. (Oct 3, 10am)
EDUCATION: First Impact. Parents, learn about Missouri’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law and get tools parents to monitor, coach and support your new driver. (Oct 4, 9:30am)
FOOD: 7th Annual Midwest Soul Vegfest. Enjoy delicious plant-based foods, live music, national & local speakers, yoga, vendors, and more. (Oct 4, 11am)
COMMUNITY: KCK NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet. Keynote Speaker Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver II with Emcee Dr. Eva Tucker Nevels and music by Darron J & Go Hard Band. (Oct 4, 6pm)
SPORTS: 2025 NLBM Hall of Game. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) invites you to join us for the 2025 Hall of Game ceremony as we honor Dusty Baker, Cito Gaston, Jerry Manuel and Willie Randolph for their successful managerial careers in Major League Baseball. (Oct 4, 8pm)
See more Kansas City events on our new online calendar!
Department of Justice subpoenas Fani Willis as Trump targets political foes. The DOJ’s inquiry into Willis comes as President Trump has pressured the nation’s top law enforcement agency to go after his political foes, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. (The Grio)
George Hardy, last of the Tuskegee Airmen’s World War II combat pilots, dies at 100. Hardy, a lieutenant colonel, became the youngest Tuskegee fighter pilot at 19, and was among the first Black military pilots in the United States. (NBC)
Trivia Answer: C. James Weldon Johnson. Often referred to as “The Black National Anthem,” Lift Every Voice and Sing was a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. His brother, John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954), composed the music for the lyrics.
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