Common Grounds | Flip the Script: A Police Take on the Issues

Kansas City, Kansas police officers around a table

One of the story lines of this election year has been alarm over law and order in cities and police shootings of unarmed black Americans. This week in our Common Grounds coffee conversation series, we head to Kansas City, Kansas, where we get a police take on that polarizing issue. We bring together five KCK…

Read More

Common Grounds | Brooksiders Dissect Campaign Advertisements

A group of five people seated over coffee at a restaurant

What happens when a regular coffee group gathers at a Brookside restaurant? Check out the latest episode of “Common Grounds” to find out. The hangout of choice for our coffee conversationalists is Bella Napoli Italian Restaurant, Deli, and Coffee Bar at 6229 Brookside Blvd. Sharon Grosshart, Fred Newman, Bob Miller, Nelson Maurice, and Jackie Allen…

Read More

Common Grounds | Troost Avenue Group Contemplates Racial Issues

A group of people gather over coffee in prayer

Reconciliation Services hosted the “Common Grounds” team this week, where the conversation included discussions about race and the violence gripping the nation. The Rev. Justin Mathews, Turbo Qualls, Tonya Adams, and Rodney Hendrix met in the internet cafe at the organization’s offices, 3101 Troost Ave. Matthews is the executive director of Reconciliation Services, and Qualls…

Read More

Common Grounds | Elections in a 24-Hour News Cycle

This week the “Common Grounds” team heads southeast to the Cass County town of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, to sit down with four locals at the New Town Bicycle and Coffee Shop. Dwight and Anita Widaman, Dave Moore, and Bob White met in the narrow, brick building at 115 Wyoming St. in the historic downtown. The bike…

Read More