The City Sculptor's Podcast brings the heat — literally. Clemente Luna, owner of Luna Heating & Cooling, sits down to talk about what it took to build his business, what keeps him going, and why Kansas City has his heart. From the grind of entrepreneurship to the pride of being a local business owner who invests in his community, Clemente's story is proof that some of the most important city-builders never run for office. They just show up, do the work, and take care of their people.

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Mayor Watson didn't come to the seat to maintain the status quo — she came to build something. The first Black woman elected mayor in Kansas City, Kansas history sits down with The City Sculptor's Podcast to talk legacy, leadership, and what it really means to develop a city without leaving your community behind. We cover everything from her path through education and nonprofit work, to the real talk on stadiums, housing, budgets, and belonging. Plus — rapid fire questions, her theme song, and the advice she has for every Millennial and Gen Z dreamer who wants to be part of shaping where they live. This one's for the builders.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Season 1 finale of The City Sculptors Podcast is a full circle moment.

In this final episode, we turn the spotlight on the woman who created the platform and guided every conversation this season. Host Alexis Williams steps into the guest seat for a powerful and personal conversation about vision, leadership, and the work happening behind the scenes to shape Kansas City’s future.

Alexis is the Chief Operating Officer of Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation, a licensed realtor, board member, community builder, and storyteller who has dedicated her career to creating spaces where people can live, grow, and thrive. From revitalization projects to policy conversations, she has been at the table where real change happens.

She launched The City Sculptors Podcast with one mission: to open doors, educate the next generation of developers and leaders, and make the process of city building more transparent and accessible. Throughout Season 1, she’s brought together city officials, developers, changemakers, and builders to share honest conversations about progress, challenges, and opportunity.

In this finale, Alexis reflects on why this work matters, what she’s learned from her guests, and what’s next for the future of development and community driven growth in Kansas City.

This episode is a celebration of leadership, legacy, and the vision behind the voice that guided Season 1.

Welcome to the final episode of The City Sculptors Podcast.

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