The City Sculptors Podcast

Building the Room: How Deejay Nimrod Created the Space Kansas City Was Missing

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. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2466957/support]

Rooted in Purpose: A Conversation with Dr. Howard on Ministry, Re-Entry & Community

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. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2466957/support]

Justice, Community & the City We're Building with Melesa Johnson

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. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2466957/support]

Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley | Shaping Policy, Expanding Opportunity, and Building Kansas City’s Future

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. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2466957/support]

Chef Jayaun Smith | From Survival to Success

The City Sculptors Podcast by Twelfth Street Heritage returns for Season 2 with a powerful story of resilience, passion and purpose. In this episode, host Alexis Williams sits down with Kansas City native and Executive Chef Jayaun Smith, a visionary whose journey into the culinary world began out of necessity and transformed into a thriving career. Raised by a single mother who had him at just 14 years old, Chef Jayaun learned early on how to fend for himself. With limited resources at home, he began cooking at the age of 7 and quickly discovered a passion that would shape his future. By 14, he was classically training as a chef, and by 16, competing on a state and national level. From his time at Johnson County Community College’s Chef Apprenticeship program to becoming Executive Chef at Ruby Jean’s Kitchen and Juicery at just 22, Chef Jayaun has consistently elevated his craft. Today, he is a sought-after private chef, working with athletes, celebrities, and clients across the country, while continuing to pour back into his community. Known for putting an urban twist on classic dishes, Chef Jayaun shares how food became his foundation, his purpose, and his platform to inspire the next generation. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2466957/support]