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Black Feast Week returns to feed restaurants new diners, combat hunger in Kansas City
Opening Black Feast Week — designed to promote Black-owned restaurants, chefs, and culinary creativity — by feeding 150 single Black mothers for free was an intentional act of community care, said Joshua “JT” Taylor.
“We’ve always tried to prioritize helping people who are most marginalized,” said Taylor, senior content producer and chief administrative officer at The Kansas City Defender, which organizes Black Feast Week Oct. 6–12. “And the Black woman is probably the most marginalized among us. We try to look out for our people.”
Mili Mansaray and Joshua “JT” Taylor, The Kansas City Defender, inside District Fish & Pasta for Black Feast Week’s second “People’s Buyout” event; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Black Feast Week’s second “People’s Buyout” — hosted Monday night at District Fish & Pasta — continues a growing Kansas City tradition that blends mutual aid, food celebration, and economic empowerment, he said, noting it’s a combination at the heart of the advocacy-focused Black newsroom’s mission.
Click here to learn more about the Kansas City Defender.
The event has grown significantly in just one year, Taylor said, noting both a doubling of participating restaurants and increased interest from local creators — many of whom are eager to expand their audience alongside Black Feast Week.
“A lot of popular influencers in Kansas City actually got their start during Black Feast Week last year, and it helped in building their platforms too,” he said, describing an atmosphere of collaboration that organizers are excited to encourage.
Diners stand in a line that extends outside the front door of District Fish & Pasta for Black Feast Week’s second “People’s Buyout” event; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Black Feast Week 2025 features more than a dozen participating locations, including Orange by Devoured, Vine Street Brewing, and District Biskuits, along with pop-ups, giveaways, and influencer-led restaurant spotlights across social media.
Kiraameen Khalifah, owner of District Fish & Pasta; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News RELATED: Father of Tech N9ne, two of KC’s favorite chefs inspired their drive from his Kansas City hair salon
Among the deals offered as part of the celebration this week:
- District Fish & Pasta — 1 pound of Basa Fish ($10)
- Good Karma Coffee Shop — “Candied Yam Latte” with brown sugar, yam, spices, vanilla, and toasted marshmallow ($8)
- Niece’s — Country fried steak or chicken with two sides plus roll or cornbread ($10.99)
- Brother’s Grill — Six-piece wings ($10)
- Patio Restaurant & Lounge — Patio Pasta: Cajun alfredo with chicken, shrimp and peppers ($12)
- Wah Gwan – Brown stew chicken meal ($12.95) and jerk chicken ($14.95)
- Swifts Cajun Cuisine — Two-piece wings, two-piece Basa Fish, and one side ($15)
- Vine Street Brewing — $10 flights
Click here for more information on Black Feast Week.
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