Great Food, Smart Business, and Better Lives
16-Week Culinary Job Training Program
Our Prospects receive progressive on-the job training, classroom instruction and wraparound social services. All phases of our instruction and support come together in a busy café environment where individuals can practice technical job skills leading to apprenticeships and employment while producing high-quality meals for those in the community who need access to healthier food options. The sustainably sourced coffeeshop and a fresh grocer section offering fresh produce and prepared meals accepts SNAP payments.
Our Space
Housed in Kansas City’s first public works building abandoned since the 1970s, NPR describes it as “limestone ruins straight out of Medieval Europe.” The Prospect KC breathes new life into the reinvigorated and repurposed space at 2000 Vine Street, located in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.
Located within The Prospect KC is The Prospect Urban Eatery, a 1,200-square-foot culinary space featuring a kitchen, community café, coffeeshop and fresh grocer. Adjacent space includes Kansas City’s first Black-owned brewery, Vine Street Brewing Co., the Warren Harvey Art Gallery, event spaces and workspace for businesses such as BLC Firm and Phronesis.
Join Our Social Enterprise
The Prospect KC is a ground-breaking, high-impact social enterprise founded in 2019 by award-winning professional chef, Kansas city native and community activist Shanita McAfee-Bryant as an answer to high unemployment and lack of access to healthy foods in the Eastside neighborhoods due to food apartheid.
What is food apartheid?
A racist and oppressive food system that creates inequitable access to adequate amounts of nutritious food.
The Prospect KC, based on a social enterprise model that has been incubated for the past two decades in the Seattle region by FareStart and Catalyst Kitchens, believes in offering opportunities for individual growth. The organization also addresses systemic inequities, such as food insecurity, unemployment, housing instability by providing job training workforce development, including case management, skill management, financial and nutrition education, childcare and job training.
The Prospect KC is the umbrella for a group of mission-driven businesses that connect people from all walks of life through food and the creation of beloved community gathering places.
The Prospect KC operates The Spot, a café, coffeeshop and fresh grocery located in an old water works building at 2000 Vine St., in the historic Jazz District. The Spot is a real-world classroom for Prospects who engage in a 16-week Culinary Job Training Program.
We also sponsor community events and offer education and outreach around a variety of food insecurity and nutrition topics.
The Neighborhood Account
The Prospect KC Neighborhood Account, funded through community donations and grants, allows community members in need to enroll for grocery funds. The funds may be used to purchase groceries and prepared family meals, ensuring each person has access to food regardless of income.
Kitchen Confidence
Many people live under food apartheid (limited access to fresh produce) often rely on fast food, convenience stores, and other unhealthy options for their meals.
This free workshop series offers food professionals, volunteers and community members and other non-profit organizations to demonstrate healthy meal preparation, with a focus on under-appreciated fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
Real Food For Real People
A community meals outreach initiative started during the pandemic. The emphasis of this program is redirecting all forms of food waste. Efforts includes Operation Meatball, an annual charitable collaboration with The Local Pig.
Stir The Pot
A national political activism project that encourages voting and activism to create a more just world.
Making of A Chef
Part of the national Black Chefs Network, this program provides Black chefs and chefs of color with mentors at the peak of their careers.
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