Black-owned firms seeking capital are only half as likely as their white counterparts to obtain funding, creating a "deeply rooted systemic problem." But a new Kansas City program aims to do something about that.

"We're looking to add attorneys not only to deepen our bench, but also to add attorneys who do interesting legal work that will allow us to not only grow in numbers but in reputation here in Kansas City," Tyson Ketchum, Armstrong Teasdale's new Kansas City office managing attorney, said during an exclusive interview about his leadership plans.

Anita and Gary Robb have been handling aviation cases at Robb & Robb for decades, building their reputation with each resolution of a high-profile lawsuit, from the late NBA star to former Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan. Now, the husband-and-wife duo are incorporating two family members/lawyers into the firm so it can take on even more cases.

Financial Advisory Service surpassed $2 billion by attracting certified financial planners and building strong relationships with high net worth clients.

Overland Park-based Realto launched its electronic trading platform for real estate and alternative securities. It aims to "provide all investors with the daily liquidity opportunities and transparency that have not existed in the secondary trading of real estate and other illiquid securities."

Kelly Collins has worked at Commerce Bank for almost 22 years. Now, she leads retail banking for not just Kansas City, but also markets in Colorado and Oklahoma.