Urban Connections

About Urban Connections

Urban Connections conducts guest interviews covering issues effecting our local, national, international and global communities from a Black perspective. Subjects include current events, trends, history, education, economics, science, political science, health, race, law and more.

Publisher

KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio

Category

government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Apr 2014

Latest episode

3 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

144 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Oct 2026

   Journalist, author Lewis W. Diuguid discusses truth as an invaluable currency our society depends on

   Journalist, author, Lewis Diuguid breaks down a compelling concept of his: truth isn't just an abstract moral ideal—it functions as an invaluable currency that society depends on to function, plan, and survive, much like money. When the integrity of information is eroded, the stability of our daily lives collapses with it. Diuguid discusses why protecting the "currency of truth" is essential to safeguarding our collective wealth, health, and future. Lewis W. Diuguid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-walter-diuguid-36017526/?trk=public_post_feed-actor-image) is a multimedia consultant, lecturer, freelance writer and editor, certified diversity facilitator. He is a former columnist, editorial board member, op-ed page editor, and letters editor at The Kansas City Star, as well as a published author. He is a St. Louis native and worked more than 39 years as a journalist with The Kansas City Star, rising to vice president of community resources responsible for the newspaper’s philanthropic and outreach efforts in the community. He wrote an award-winning column for The Kansas City Star for 30 years and served on the editorial board from 1999 to 2016. He is the recipient of many awards, including the 2000 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism and the 2017 Louis M. Lyons Award for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism from Harvard University. Diuguid is a member of the National Association Black Journalists (https://nabjonline.org/), Kansas City Association of  Black Journalists (https://kcabj.org/) (president 1986, secretary 1987, vice president 1993, treasurer since 1994), National Society Newspaper Columnists (https://www.columnists.com/), Monroe Trotter Group of Black Voices in Commentary (https://www.amazon.com/Black-Voices-Commentary-Trotter-Group/dp/0963572091). He serves as chair of the Political Action Committee for the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) (https://www.nameorg.org/), which honored him with the Carter G. Woodson (https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/civil-rights-leaders/carter-g-woodson) Service Award in 2014. In August 2026, Lewis Diuguid was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists' Hall of Fame. (https://nabjonline.org/blog/nabj-announces-2026-hall-of-fame-inductees-special-honors-recipients-2-2/) Books (https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/lewis-w-diuguid/850573/?srsltid=AfmBOoqacHB2FJcECkUaaoXmf4AcE__GDyK2MobJJTZ0Drim6Csl7hF6) by Lewis W. Diuguid: • Exploring Cuba: Erasing Fears through Multicultural Education [with Bette Tate-Beaver] • Our Fathers: Making Black Men • Discovering the Real America: Toward a More Perfect Union • A Teacher’s Cry: Expose the Truth about Education Today Truth Don' Die  Femi Kuti: The Definitive Collection Host/producer/engineer:  Donna Morrow Wolfe

2. 

   19 Sept 2026

   Debbie Brown and Karen Carter Riffle on the true life story of Sarah Rector, African American oil millionaire

   Debbie Brown, retired physical education teacher in the Kansas City, MO school district is the niece of Sarah Rector, who was known as the first black female millionaire to live in Kansas City (https://aahtkc.org/rectormansion) and "the richest colored girl in the world", in 1920. Debbie and her family have collaborated with Debbie's partner, Karen Carter Riffle, to write a true biography of the life and legacy of Sarah Rector. Karen Carter Riffle, also an educator, taught many years in Kansas City area schools. The result of their efforts is the book: A Name Worth Millions: The Story of Sarah Rector and Her Family (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243896689-a-name-worth-millions) From the author, 'This book stands apart as the only biography that tells the authentic story of Sarah Rector—crafted with care, accuracy, and the guidance of those who knew her best. It was written in collaboration with Sarah’s nieces, whose mother, Rosa, was Sarah’s youngest sister. Their personal memories and insights bring Sarah’s story to life in a way no other account has." "From her ancestral roots and the remarkable moment she struck oil, to her family’s move to Kansas City and her life as an adult, this book traces Sarah’s journey with depth and respect. Her story is thoughtfully reconstructed using court records, family documents, historical archives, cherished photographs, and oral histories passed down through generations." A children's version by the author of the Sarah Rector story is called Money, Money, Money: The Sarah Rector Story (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251042450-money-money-money). Sarah Rector's niece Debbi Brown is President of the Sarah Rector Foundation (https://sarahrectorfoundation.net/), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, who's mission is to promote: the historical preservation and renovation of the Rector Mansion located at 2000 East 12th Street in Kansas City, Missouri, including the surrounding grounds. historical, educational, and cultural programs that align with the Rector legacy. [caption id="attachment_185388" align="alignleft" width="185"] Debbie Brown[/caption] Debbie Brown retired from teaching after 37 years, ending her career in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. She and her sisters have been tracing their family history for more than 30 years. Debbie has spent the past 7 years working to correct the misinformation that has been written about her famous aunt Sarah Rector. Debbie had a personal relationship with her aunt growing up, as she was 17 years old when Sarah passed. [caption id="attachment_185390" align="alignleft" width="189"] Karen Carter Riffle[/caption] Karen Carter Riffle is a former special education teacher with a big love for genealogy, history, and discovery. Drawing on years of research – and personal collaboration with the Rector family – she brings Sarah Rector’s story to life in her book A Name Worth Millions: The Story of Sarah Rector and Her Family and in her children’s book Money, Money, Money: The Sarah Rector Story. Host/producer/engineer:  Donna Morrow Wolfe

3. 

   12 Sept 2026

   Dr. Niki Elliott on skills for helping neurodiverse and marginalized children thrive

   Niki Elliott, PhD, serves as director for the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences (https://www.sandiego.edu/soles/students-and-faculty/biography.php?profile_id=14702). Prior to this appointment, she served for 7 years as the founding director of the Center for Neurodiversity, Learning and Wellness at the University of La Verne in California. Teacher/educator, Niki Elliot has taught students of all ages for more than 30 years. She is a staunch advocate for students whose lived experiences include learning disabilities, mental health challenges, foster care placement, and/or racialized marginalization. Her mission is to galvanize an education workforce that establishes trauma-informed, neuro-inclusive learning communities where all students and educators thrive. Today she discusses her book, Heart Centered Connections: Seven Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive (https://nikielliott.com/heart-centered-connections/) Heart-Centered Connections is a research-informed guide for those who serve children who are too often misunderstood, marginalized, or labeled “difficult”—including neurodiverse learners, students with learning differences, and those impacted by trauma. Dr. Niki intends this book for the educator, parent, or professional who refuses to give up on the child who has been left out or left behind, and who is ready to transform both outcomes and relationships. Grounded in decades of research with over 1,000 child-serving professionals (teachers, school leaders, social workers, caregivers), Dr. Elliott introduces a transformative framework built on seven essential pillars: Self-Awareness, Interpersonal Awareness, Neuro-inclusive Spaces, Activated Genius, Engaged Learning, Mindful Communication, and Heart-Centered Repair. Host/producer/engineer:  Donna Morrow Wolfe

Who has been a guest on Urban Connections

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Lewis W Diuguid
• Dr Tracie Canada
• Andrew LaMont Eanes
• Laura

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

79

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

30

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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