This podcast is produced by the Kansas City Public Library’s Community Reference team to share different perspectives on money management with an eye toward starting a small business. Over three episodes, Small Business Engagement Specialist Hadiza Sa-Aadu hosts Black business owners from the Kansas City metro area. Each guest shares guidance and advice through personal stories about their challenges and successes, with a common through-line: As one consequence of systemic racism, none of the guests grew up with access to reliable information about money management.

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Episode 1

Start With Self-Worth

Dee Moore is a former stockbroker, self-taught business owner, and director of a personal chef company with a presence in 28 states. Raised by well-off grandparents in Houston, Texas, Moore never worried about money growing up. All of that suddenly changed after her grandmother disowned her, and she found herself living out of her car with her toddler and another baby on the way.

Episode 2

Don’t Be Limited by Limited Income

Lolita Rucker is an insurance broker, notary public, and former Internal Revenue Service employee who understands the intricacies of forms many people find confusing. Now, she works to fill in financial knowledge gaps for other people.

Episode 3

Your Credit Actually Does Matter

Brandon Calloway is the CEO and co-founder of G.I.F.T., a nonprofit that gives grants to businesses East of Troost – long known as Kansas City’s racial dividing line – to reverse the lingering effects of redlining that contribute to the racial wealth gap.