Hello Sunday.
April 27 2025
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Positivity, equity, and inclusiveness. Education, entrepreneurship, and employment.
These are focuses of Keystone, an innovation nonprofit focused on the future of Kansas City. The organization, headed by major regional leaders, is launching its “Sessions” program today — and you’re invited.
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Looks like the sun is shining on KC's future. | Photo by KCtoday
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Keystone Sessions
Think: TED Talks meet food, drink, and networking. This weekly meetup event is open to the public — specifically, “anybody who’s interested in learning, growing, and connecting with other people,” President + CEO Kevin McGinnis said.
Tonight’s event is titled “Design, Money and Beer.”
- When: Every Wednesday from 4-8 p.m.
- Where: Keystone CoLAB, 800 E. 18th St., KCMO
- What: Happy hour followed by three 45-minute “sessions”
- Cost: Free
Kevin told us the sessions are a big push toward equity.
“How do we make sure we’re exposing an innovation economy to those who have historically been excluded? [...] The whole point of sessions is for people to connect with each other.”
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CoLAB is Keystone's first physical space. | Photo via Keystone Community Corporation
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What is Keystone?
Kevin formed Keystone Community Corporation in 2018 when he realized a gap in the innovation community — there was no “hub” for cross-industry meetups. After visiting successful centers in other parts of the country (like Tech Square in Midtown Atlanta, America Tobacco Campus in Durham, NC, and the Pittsburgh Innovation District), Kevin had a plan.
His nonprofit’s goal is to develop and operate a diverse and thriving innovation community in downtown. Leaders believe that industries cannot grow while remaining siloed. Therefore, Keystone Innovation District is a destination that enables people to collaborate at scale.
Stakeholders + board members include local university leaders (UMKC, KU, UCM, K-State, Park, William Jewell, and MCC), five CEOs (KCATA, Black & Veatch, Goodwill regional, ArtsKC, StoneHill Firm), and other community and business leaders (Children’s Mercy, The Porter House, Center for Neighborhoods, Fintech, aSTEAM, KC Public Library).
A previous plan, which included the creation of a $20 million office project in the East Crossroads, recently hit a roadblock. However, Kevin said this new programming + renewed interest may lead to some big announcements later this year.
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Today
- AEW: Dynamite | Wed., June 8 | 6 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena | $29+ | All Elite Wrestling presents a spectacular match. 💥
- Brad Allen | Wed., June 8 | 6-9 a.m. | Jazz A Louisiana Kitchen, 1859 Village W. Pkwy., Kansas City, KS | $0+ | Enjoy jazz by this American singer-songwriter and drummer.
Thursday
- Royals vs. Orioles | Thurs., June 9 | 7:10 p.m. | Kauffman Stadium | $10+ | Pride Night attendees can pick up a rainbow fanny pack with the purchase of a $20 Theme Ticket. 🏳️🌈
- Snarky Puppy | Thurs., June 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $38+ | This Grammy-winning jazz collective brings its self-proclaimed "music for the brain and booty" back to KC.
Friday
- Arts in the Park | Fri., June 10-Sat., June 11 | Times Vary | 1002 Clark Ferguson Dr., North Kansas City, MO | Free | Shop dozens of local artists and creators while enjoying a craft brew. 🍺
- Schitt's Creek Trivia Night | Fri., June 10 | 7-9 p.m. | Olathe Indian Creek Library, 16100 W. 135th St., Olathe, KS | Free | Ew, David — Test your knowledge on the Emmy-winning Netflix show.
Saturday
- KC Charcuterie Fest | Sat., June 11 | 12-6 p.m. | KC Wine Co., 13875 S. Gardner Rd., Olathe, KS | $25 | Delight in a mouth-watering combination of cheeses, fruits, and meats. 🧀
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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Weather
- 81º | Scattered storms | 30% chance of rain
Biz
- Sold. Cerner has been formally acquired by Oracle, a tech company based in Austin (hey, ATXtoday). The $28.3 billion deal is set to formally close today after clearing an antitrust review in Europe. Oracle will discuss the future of the company in a streamed event on Thurs., June 9. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Announced
- Kansas City will host the 2024 US Conference of Mayors’ Annual Meeting for the first time ever. Mayor Quinton Lucas announced the news during the current meeting in Reno. The event, which will include hundreds of mayors and 1,000+ other participants, will celebrate its 92nd anniversary. 🗳️ (Kansas City Business Journal)
Travel
- Comin’ in hot. Three new non-stop flights are landing at KCI this summer. Frontier announced a new connection to Las Vegas as low as $89 starting Aug. 9. Also, Delta recently added New York’s JFK Airport, and Air Canada resumed Toronto flights on June 3. ✈️ (FOX4)
Concert
- Kennyhoopla is coming to The Truman on Fri., Sept. 3. The alternative artist, famous for songs like “hollywood sucks” and “ESTELLA,” will perform after Nothing, Nowhere and Groupthink. Tickets go on sale Fri., June 6.
Open
- Rockhurst University’s oldest Troost Campus building is now a new nursing school facility after a $23 million renovation. Sedgwick Hall opened in 1914 — and reopened last week. It retains ~90% of its original structure and now houses the Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. (CityScene KC)
Opening
- Let’s try this ting again. Ting’s Filipino Bistro is still coming to the City Market — just a week later than expected. The restaurant previously announced an opening on June 7, but they retracted it later. The grand opening, now on Tues., June 15, will include new food + live music. 🍲
Closing
- The only grocery store in Odessa, MO is closing on Sun., July 31. The town of 5,600 — about 15 miles outside of the metro — will have to drive 10 miles to the nearest market in Oak Grove. City leaders are contacting the state for support. (FOX4)
Asked
- We want to hear from you. Tell us what you think about our KCtoday newsletter in this brief survey. In exchange for your feedback, we'll enter you into a drawing to win $1,000 in cash. Take the survey.
Edu
- Even though summer vacation is in full swing, some parents are already thinking about the 2022-23 school year. The Barstow School is hosting an open house on Wed., June 15 from 10-11:30 a.m. Meet with faculty and see if your child is a fit for the innovative + inclusive institution. (Limited openings in select grades, preschool through grade 12.) 🎒*
Shop
Real Estate
- “The new normal” — and, no, we’re not back in 2020, we’re looking at Opendoor’s latest Trends Report. From suburbs to social media habits, learn about the trends to watch for this year, including the digitization of the industry, “real estate resiliency,” and what consumers can expect for the rest of 2022. 📈*
Drink
- Meet OLIPOP, your new go-to, chilling at the lake beverage (that’s Gwyneth Paltrow and Patrick Mahomes approved). Thanks to unique ingredients (think: plant fiber, prebiotics + botanicals) and 2-5 grams of sugar per can, OLIPOP is as healthy as it is delicious. Bonus: Get 20% off + free shipping with code 6AM20.*
Wellness
- Should olive oil be a new step in your oral hygiene routine? Maybe — find out why in Dr. Steven Gundry, MD’s latest video. 🦷*
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Espresso, ice cream, and apricots, oh my! Messenger Coffee just dropped its new affogato, an Italian coffee-based dessert that features a delicious collaboration with Betty Rae’s Ice Cream. The dessert combines two shots of espresso, Date & Black Sesame ice cream, and a dried apricot. Find it for a limited time only at all Messenger locations.
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