
ABOUT
Mission
The Porter House KC is a inner city based co-working community who provides entrepreneurship access and resources to underserved populations in the Kansas City Metro area. Our mission is to be a bridge for underrepresented individuals that typically don't have access to the entrepreneurial dream.
Vision
That underserved communities will have entrepreneurial access to start, grow, and thrive in business.
The Porter House KC resolves to assist in the representation of entrepreneurs of color by providing an affordable business space that can be used to grow an idea to a full-fledged business. The plight of the minority entrepreneur is one with many struggles and hardships, and very few victories. We aim to reverse that trend and help the entrepreneurs grow in victory, and reduce the losses.

Daniel Smith Co-Founder and Principal
Daniel provides organizational leadership and direction to The Porter House KC. He is a native of Kansas City, Mo and graduated from The Bishop Hogan High School. He has worked in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors in the past 14 years, and has started/owned/operated 5 businesses, including The Porter House KC. Dan's affinity for the not-for-profit sector, and specifically helping in the underserved populations started roughly 20+ years ago when his mother exposed him to the importance of helping others. This experience gave him a deep appreciation for the not-for-profit work being done in the underserved communities of color, and fueled his drive to help those in need.

Charon Thompson Co-Founder and Principal
Charon provides operational leadership and manages social for The Porter House KC. Raised in Kansas City, Mo, born in Leominster, Massachusetts. Charon graduated from Lincoln College Prep High School, and attended the University of Missouri, Kansas City majoring in engineering. Charon has worked with BNSF rail for 11 years, and operated 4 business during the time, including The Porter House KC. His appreciation for the community of Kansas City is driven by his love for the city. Charon loves to help business owners and startups in KC with providing the tools and resources to efficiently operate their businesses.

Miranda Schultz Project Manager

Jahna Riley Director of Education
One of Miranda's biggest values is creating, and sustaining, personable relationships. While Miranda rarely enjoys the spotlight, she silently leads by action with the intention to build connections in every room she is greeted in. As the Program Manager, one of her main job duties will be to re-connect and bring together the alumni that have previously participated in the PHKC cohorts. As a supporter of the Kansas City small business (particularly, the food ;)) space, Miranda is excited about finding, connecting, and supporting the PHKC family. If Miranda's not at the PHKC spot, you can catch her enjoying a cup of coffee, playing pick-up basketball, or finding a new walking trail.
Miranda attended Simpson College (a small, liberal arts college located in the town of Indianola, Iowa) where she graduated with her Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology, with minors in Sociology and Human Services. While the small-town Iowa feel was a much-needed experience, after graduation, Miranda decided to transition back to the Kansas City area and worked as a Career Development Executive - Coordinator with the Full Employment Council and later, a Research Assistant with UMKC's Institute for Human Development.
Jahna Riley's (she/her) super power is creating space and opportunity for people to come together and learn and grow from each other. A third generation educator, she has worked in Kansas City's schools for 10+ years.
Jahna, an entrepreneur herself, has benefitted from the Porter House KC as an alumna of both the mentorship and Small Business Development programs. A native Kansas Citian, graduate of Howard University, and proud mother of one daughter, Jahna loves live music and all things books and coffee related. She is most excited to connect underserved and emerging entrepreneurs to the broader Kansas City ecosystem.
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