In the mid 1800s, many who were enslaved traveled through Missouri to Kansas, seeking to escape the bonds of slavery. While Kansas Citians know of Quindaro Boulevard, its namesake was an early Kansas settlement that was integral to the pre-Civil War abolitionist movement. Known today as the Quindaro Ruins, the area is significant to Black […]

Needing medical care is something we all eventually experience. Yet, receiving fair and equal healthcare treatment is not. According to Dr. Jason E. Glenn, associate professor in the department of history and philosophy of medicine at The University of Kansas Medical Center (KU Medical Center), health inequities are most stark in the African American community. […]

  The Prize Imagine being only two years into starting a brand new non-profit organization and receiving the call that you have been selected as a 2022 Pinnacle Prize winner! That is exactly what happened to Brandon Calloway, co-founder of G.I.F.T. – Generating Income For Tomorrow. Knee-deep in a movement to provide grants to Black-owned […]

“There is nothing in here you can’t touch, and if I like it, it ends up here.” Such are the words of an art collector who surrounds himself with pieces that speak to him directly, not because of their perceived value or the potential commerce of the artist’s name. Maurice Watson is pretty sure that […]

When reflecting on the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, you might recall significant events that advanced the cause. What may not immediately come to mind is baseball and how a series of events in the sport initiated progress for African American rights. With Kansas City as the epicenter, a seemingly unassuming series […]

Jason Banks, Vice President, National Procurement Director, JE Dunn Construction “Courageous excellence,” is how Stephenie Smith of Sophic Solutions describes Jason Banks. She goes on to say that she “… appreciates his ability to both care for others and move the needle professionally.” This dynamic leader is excelling in his career because he pays attention […]

Maybe it’s the cold sapping my mental brain power, but I’ve been very much in the mood for cozy reads by the fire. The crackling wood, a warm drink, and a book sounds like my idea of a perfect day spent avoiding the cold. On days like the ones we have recently suffered through, the […]

December 16th was the date for Kansas City Young Matrons’ annual Mistletoe Party. Members and their guests enjoyed an evening of fun and fellowship at KCYM Member Shari and John Olander’s beautiful home.    Featured in the January 27, 2024 issue of The Independent. Photo Credit: John Caulfield

The Harriman-Jewell Series thanked its board of advisors with a dinner that included special guest opera star tenor, Juan Diego Flórez, who spoke of his connection to Our Town through the Harriman-Jewell Series and thanked his supporters. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal at The Capital Grille and celebrated the legacy of the Harriman-Jewell Series in […]

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s 50th Jubilee Civic Service Celebration will be held on March 10th at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Mindy Corporon will be honored with the Civic Service Award. Guests will enjoy a wonderful evening to celebrate the work of Mindy, who founded the SevenDays organization. Dianne and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, Peggy […]

November 15th was the date for the elegant Benefactor Party for the donors of the annual Fireside Fundraiser, which was hosted by the Fireside Committee of the Kansas City Art Institute at The Carriage Club. Lynne Weilert was the chairman. Guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres, wine, and lovely music from a harpist.     Featured […]

December 2nd was the date for the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas’ 73rd Annual Community Ball and Cotillion, which was held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Gina Brozenic and Lindsay Golubski were the co-chairs, and Cindy Ford served as the Cotillion chair. The lovely evening featured a “Masquerade” theme. Guests […]

The Midland was the site for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City’s Most Wanted Auction, which was held on December 9th. The Most Wanted honorees were recognized, and guests enjoyed bidding on once-in-a-lifetime auction packages. Proceeds support the organization to make a difference by creating professionally supported, one-to-one matches for kids who want […]

Kansas City Ballet Guild’s 56th annual Nutcracker Ball was held on December 1st at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Jo Anne Dondlinger was the chairman, and Susan Lordi Marker and Dennis Marker served as the honorary chairmen. Angela and John Walker were honored with the 2023 Pirouette Award. The event featured cocktails, dinner, […]

The Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball was a magical occasion for young and old alike! The festive event was held on December 2nd at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Carrie Kruse and Jennifer Pontier were the co-chairmen. With a luncheon reminiscent of Clara’s Holiday Party, lots of activities, and, of course, a performance […]

Marty McFly would have been jealous of the Back to the Basics Open House, hosted by Giving the Basics on October 26th! The “Back to the Future” themed event welcomed more than 200 guests to learn more about the organization’s mission of providing hygiene products for human dignity – the necessities of life such as […]

Dear Readers,  Welcome to our 125th anniversary celebration year! It’s hard to believe that the humble beginnings of a local paper on March 11, 1899 would yield 125 years of chronicling the happenings of Kansas City. While The Independent had political origins, the magazine, its owners, editors, and staff have reinvented the publication many times […]

Investing in youth like Caylin is at the heart of what HALO does. Providing a family foundation, shelter, a safe place to sleep, and skills is just the beginning of how this organization helps homeless young people. The HALO Art Auction, “Defying the Odds” will be held on February 24th at The Midland Theatre to […]

The inimitable Sophian Plaza building celebrated a centennial anniversary! The opening of the building provided such fanfare that the Kansas City Star devoted the top half of the front page of the Real Estate section on February 25, 1923 to the extravaganza. Fast forward to 2023 and a year filled with special celebrations, including a […]

Horizon Academy recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary! Opening in 1999 with 12 students, the school has come a long way to its current enrollment of 117 young learners. Founded by the smart and curious group of Rick Boxx, Fred Crouch, Bob Dunn, Laura Hall, Paula Halsey, Jenny Vaughan, and first-ever head of school, Sharyl Kennedy, […]

With Grammy-winning artists Take 6 on the stage at the Folly Theater’s Folly Frolic, there is a guarantee of a festive, entertaining evening! Celebrating 123 years of glorious stage performances at the theater, guests thoroughly enjoyed supporting Our Town’s “grand lady” of venues. The day was even declared “Take 6 Day” in Kansas City by […]