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Grantee Spotlight

Kansas City Defender Strengthens Enterprise Reporting and Revenue Capacity

Kansas City Defender

Kansas City, MO

years active

2025

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Group of mostly Black people of different ages and genders smiling in the produce department of a grocery store.
Kansas City Defender team inside the local Black-owned grocery store posing after the Grocery Buyout. Photo courtesy of Kansas City Defender.

The Kansas City Defender is a Black-led, nonprofit community media platform employing innovative digital and community-building strategies to engage Gen Z and Millennials across the midwest. Its primary areas of focus are education, justice, business, arts & culture, and technology. Since launching in 2021, it has been recognized for investigative journalism and community reporting, and it seeks to build a world rooted in well-being and equity through its stories.

The Defender used Pivot funding to hire a full-time enterprise editor and a revenue/development manager.

Group of Black and Brown people with strong, resolute expressions gathered in front of a pond outdoors, holding up their fists in solidarity.
Kansas City Defender’s first cohort of graduates from KCD’s Writing Intensive Freedom School. Photo courtesy of Kansas City Defender.

Community room full of diverse people having lively, positive engaged conversations.
Kansas City Defender Malcolm X 100th Anniversary Event. Photo courtesy of Kansas City Defender.