Black-owned eateries launch extensive food week benefiting Missouri’s longest-standing Black-owned bookstore

A new type of food week has pulled up a seat in Kansas City. From October 1 – 14, Kansas City Defender is hosting the first-ever KC Black Feast Week. Kansas City Defender is a youth-led Black media and community organization. 

With a goal of highlighting KC’s Black culinary talent as well as uplifting Black-owned businesses, the two-week event will bring awareness of these dining spots to the greater community. Each participating restaurant will offer a special for the two-week period, such as $10 beer flights at Vine Street Brewing or $13 Monster nacho and house lemonade at Deez Nachos.

Through food & drink specials, influencer campaigns, and more, KC Black Feast Week aims to get more people to dine out. The spotlight will be on the value these restaurants add to our overall culture.

“Kansas City, perhaps most known for our football team and BBQ, wields one of the most diverse cuisines and outstanding selections of Black-owned restaurants in the country. By supporting these cherished establishments, you’re helping to ensure that these vital businesses continue to thrive,” says the KC Black Feast Week website.

A unique element of this food week is that restaurants were not charged to participate. Instead, they are invited to donate any portion of profits to Kansas City Defender. These donations will specifically go to The Ms. Willa campaign, which began this summer to prevent Willa’s Books & Vinyl, Missouri’s longest-standing Black bookstore, from being shuttered as the area is gentrified. “We have been covering her rent for the past 3 months, we are currently volunteering to help operate the store, and we plan to inherit the store so she does not have to sell all of her first-edition historical artifacts and archival materials,” says KC Defender Founder Ryan A. Sorrell.

Courtesy TC’s Fully Loaded

The food week promises a variety of cuisines representing the best of our city, like Nigerian dishes at Teetasty Foods, global creations at TC’s Fully Loaded, and reliable neighborhood coffee at Kinship Cafe.

Additional participating restaurants include Chef Smokey, Deez Nachos, District Biskuits, District Fish & Pasta House, Fannie’s African and Tropical Cuisine, LC’s Bar-B-BQ, Mattie’s Foods, Mesob, My Village Grill, Niecie’s Restaurant, Urban, Vine Street Brewing, and Wah Gwan.

In addition to this special week, KC foodies can support Black-owned restaurants year-round. According to Sorrell, trying just one new spot each month and sharing it with others can make a difference: “We have so many delicious Black-owned spots that simply don’t get the visibility or support they deserve.”

KC Black Feast Week kicks off on October 1 at District Fish & Pasta House for a “People’s Food Buyout.” The first 100 Black mothers and families present will receive free meals from Kansas City Defender, setting the tone of celebrating not only fantastic food but also the organization’s community-focused solutions approach.