The City Sculptors Podcast

What happens when a conversation about an economic gap turns into a movement for change?

In this episode of The City Sculptors Podcast, host Alexis Williams sits down with Brandon Calloway, Founder and CEO of Kansas City G.I.F.T., for a conversation about entrepreneurship, access to capital, and the power of investing in local businesses.

Kansas City G.I.F.T. began with a simple idea: talented Black entrepreneurs already have the vision and drive to build successful businesses, but too often lack access to the funding and resources needed to grow. What started with a Facebook post and a conversation has evolved into an organization bringing people together to invest in Black-owned businesses, create jobs, and expand economic opportunity throughout Kansas City.

Brandon shares the story behind G.I.F.T., his own entrepreneurial journey, and why supporting entrepreneurs can have an impact far beyond one business. The conversation explores what it takes to turn an idea into action, overcome barriers, build sustainable businesses, and use entrepreneurship as a tool to strengthen neighborhoods.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, aspiring business owner, or simply passionate about Kansas City's future, this episode is a reminder of what can happen when we invest in people, ideas, and opportunity.

🎙️ Because when entrepreneurs grow, communities grow with them.

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What happens when you walk away from the career that looks successful to pursue the work that feels purposeful?

In this episode of The City Sculptors Podcast, host Alexis Williams sits down with Casie Murph, “Murph the Barber,” master barber, educator, entrepreneur, and founder of The BeVel Barber Lounge in Kansas City.

After spending 20 years in corporate America as an IT professional, Casie made the decision in 2017 to bet on himself and return to a craft he first discovered at just 14 years old. What began with a pair of clippers and a vision has grown into The BeVel, a barbershop built around excellence, confidence, community, mentorship, and opportunity.

Casie shares his journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, the role faith and persistence have played in his success, and what it took to build and scale a business through uncertainty. He also discusses his commitment to developing the next generation of professionals and creating a legacy that reaches far beyond the barber chair.

This conversation is about more than building a business. It’s about recognizing your purpose, having the courage to pursue it, and using your success to create opportunities for others.

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What does it take to build a stronger city? According to Clyde McQueen, it starts with investing in people.

In this episode of The City Sculptors Podcast, host Alexis Williams sits down with Clyde McQueen, President and CEO of the Full Employment Council (FEC), to discuss how workforce development has become one of the most powerful tools for creating economic opportunity across the Kansas City region.

With more than three decades of leadership, McQueen shares how the FEC has evolved into a driving force behind workforce readiness, connecting thousands of job seekers with training, career pathways, and life-changing employment opportunities. He explains why access to transportation, education, and equitable economic development are essential to building thriving communities, and why data and compassion must work together to create meaningful change.

The conversation also explores Kansas City's rapid growth, the future of workforce development, the importance of public and private partnerships, and the leadership lessons McQueen has learned throughout his remarkable career.

Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, policymaker, or someone passionate about the future of Kansas City, this episode offers valuable insight into the people and partnerships shaping our region.

🎙️ Tune in as we explore how investing in people creates stronger neighborhoods, a more resilient workforce, and a brighter future for Kansas City.

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What does it really take to create safer, stronger communities?

In this episode of The City Sculptors Podcast, host Alexis Williams sits down with Murray Woodard, Director of COMBAT, to discuss the power of prevention, community partnerships, and investing in people before problems arise.

From youth development and substance use treatment to neighborhood revitalization and public safety, Murray shares how COMBAT is working to address the root causes of violence while building healthier communities across Jackson County. He also reflects on his personal leadership journey, the challenges facing Kansas City today, and why collaboration between residents, nonprofits, businesses, schools, and local government is essential for lasting change.

Whether you're passionate about community development, public service, or creating opportunities for the next generation, this conversation offers valuable insights into the work shaping the future of our region.

🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation as we continue highlighting the leaders sculpting a better Kansas

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The City Sculptor's Podcast brings the heat — literally. Clemente Luna, owner of Luna Heating & Cooling, sits down to talk about what it took to build his business, what keeps him going, and why Kansas City has his heart. From the grind of entrepreneurship to the pride of being a local business owner who invests in his community, Clemente's story is proof that some of the most important city-builders never run for office. They just show up, do the work, and take care of their people.

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Mayor Watson didn't come to the seat to maintain the status quo — she came to build something. The first Black woman elected mayor in Kansas City, Kansas history sits down with The City Sculptor's Podcast to talk legacy, leadership, and what it really means to develop a city without leaving your community behind. We cover everything from her path through education and nonprofit work, to the real talk on stadiums, housing, budgets, and belonging. Plus — rapid fire questions, her theme song, and the advice she has for every Millennial and Gen Z dreamer who wants to be part of shaping where they live. This one's for the builders.

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What do you do when the space you need doesn't exist? You build it. In this episode of City Sculptors, host Alexis Williams sits down with Deejay Nimrod, co-founder of the Outsiders Social Club, a Kansas City hub designed for creatives, thinkers, and culture-builders who never quite fit into traditional spaces. After returning to Kansas City, Deejay and co-founder Ellen Nimrod recognized a gap in the community and turned that realization into OSC: a space where work and culture collide, community feels like belonging, and the right rooms change lives. From its intentional gatherings to its coworking hub, cultural events, and a foundation built to uplift young minority professionals, OSC is more than a coffee shop — it's a movement. Join us for a conversation about entrepreneurship, community over competition, and what it really means to sculpt a city from the inside out.

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Dr. Howard has spent his career at the corner of faith and action — facilitating re-entry sessions, serving returning citizens, and challenging Kansas City communities to take second chances seriously. In this episode, he opens up about the road that shaped him, the spiritual convictions that drive him, and the hard truths about what it takes to break cycles of incarceration. He speaks plainly about accountability, the gaps in community support, and the legacy he hopes his work leaves behind. This isn't just a podcast episode — it's a call to action.

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What does it take to build a safer, more equitable city from the inside out? In this episode of The City Sculptors Podcast, host Alexis Williams sits down with Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson — a Kansas City native who has spent her career at the intersection of justice, public safety, and community transformation.

From her roots in one of Jackson County's most challenged neighborhoods to serving as Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas' Director of Public Safety, Melesa brings a rare perspective to the work of city-building — one shaped by both the courtroom and the community. She shares how her journey through private practice, federal clerkship, and elected office has deepened her belief that true safety isn't just about enforcement. It's about equity, restoration, and giving people a real shot at a different future.

Tune in as Melesa and Alexis explore the connection between criminal justice reform and community development, the role local leaders play in shaping neighborhoods, and what a more restorative approach to public safety could mean for Kansas City's next chapter.

This is city sculpting at its most essential — justice, one block at a time.

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In this episode of The City Sculptors Podcast, host Alexis Williams sits down with Councilwomen Melissa Patterson Hazley for a powerful conversation on leadership, policy, and the future of Kansas City.

From her roots in Kansas City Public Schools to her background in educational psychology and research, Councilwoman Patterson Hazley shares how her journey shaped her approach to public service and community impact. She offers insight into what it means to move from studying systems to actively shaping them—and why representation in leadership matters more than ever.

Together, they explore the realities of city leadership, including affordable housing, economic development, and creating pathways for entrepreneurs and small developers to thrive. Councilwoman Patterson Hazley also breaks down how Kansas City can balance growth with preserving neighborhood identity, while ensuring major investments and opportunities benefit all communities.

This episode dives into the future of the East Side and the 3rd District, highlighting the importance of collaboration between policymakers, developers, and residents to create lasting, equitable change.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on what it takes to build a city that works for everyone—and how leadership today is shaping Kansas City for generations to come.

Presented by Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corp.

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