Best of KC 2024: Inaugural Black Feast Week rallies for Willa’s Books & Vinyl and launches new tradition 

Photo Courtesy of Kansas City Defender

Earlier this month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can take a peek at the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some local people, places, and things that we thought clearly won 2024. We’ll be publishing these items online throughout November. 

A new type of food week pulled up a seat in Kansas City. For two weeks this October, Kansas City Defender—the youth-led Black media and community organization—hosted the first-ever KC Black Feast Week.

With a goal of highlighting KC’s Black culinary talent as well as uplifting Black-owned businesses, the two-week event brought awareness of 16 dining spots to the greater community. Each participating restaurant offered a special or discounted feature item and was invited but not required to donate a portion of the proceeds. This event’s charitable cause supported 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.

Mattie’s Food, a Black Feast Week participating restaurant // Photo By Tiffany Watts

“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,” the KC Black Feast Week website reads.