J.M. Banks

3 weeks ago | kansascity.com | J.M. Banks

Henry Service, 58, born to Jamaican immigrant parents, his family later moved to Canada until he came to the united states to study law and found a home here Henry Service remembers feeling like an outsider as a young Black college student. Born in the United Kingdom to Jamaican immigrant parents, his family later moved to Canada, where they were the only Black household in their town.

4 weeks ago | kansascity.com | J.M. Banks

Cellist John Lee of the Tesura String Quartet recently performs during a benefit concert held at the Kansas City residence of arts philanthropist Benny Lee. [email protected] Some of Benny Lee's most cherished memories as a child growing up in Taiwan were inviting his young friends over to his boyhood home where they would listen to music on vinyl records for hours. For Lee, music has always been more than something playing in the background. It was a way to bring people together.

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | J.M. Banks

Editor's Note: This interview is part of an ongoing Star series highlighting Kansas Citians from historically underrepresented communities and their impact on our region. The series builds on The Star's efforts to improve coverage of local communities. Do you know someone we should interview? Share ideas with our reporter J.M. Banks.

4 weeks ago | kansascity.com | J.M. Banks

Shaquan Clarke, owner of Mistah Igzatik petting zoo held a lion head rabbit at First Friday at 18th and Vine historic District. Clarke travels around the metro with his exotic animals to expose children in the inner city who may not see them under normal circumstances. Special to The Star The first week of each month, during the Spring and Summer at Kansas City's First Fridays on 18th and Vine, Sha'Quan Clark's tent full of exotic animals draws a whole lot of attention.

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | J.M. Banks

The first week of each month, during the Spring and Summer at Kansas City’s First Fridays on 18th and Vine, Sha’Quan Clark’s tent full of exotic animals draws a whole lot of attention. Inside the big canvas structure, visitors find giant hares — that’s a rabbit — lizards, bantam chickens, chinchillas and hedgehogs, many of which are being seen for the first time by curious children.