Kelcie McKenney
Editor-in-Chief / Founder

Kelcie McKenney (she/her) is a writer, editor, and artist who is passionate about intersectional feminism, local activism, queer representation, and strengthening community. You can find Kelcie reading (probably smut or Twilight), talking astrology, hanging with her three-legged cat and four-legged dog, or trying to overthrow the patriarchy.

Emily Laptad
Managing Editor & Strategy Director

Emily Laptad (she/her) is a Kansas City-based writer and editor who’s passionate about giving a platform and a voice to those who don’t always have one. In her free time, you can find Emily with her nose in a book, singing her current favorite Taylor Swift song, playing Mario Kart with her spouse, or cuddling up with her dogs and cat.

Nicole Mitchell
Social Media Manager

Nicole Mitchell (she/they) is a writer and social media manager who graduated December 2020 with a degree in strategic communication. A few of her favorite things include cuddling with cats, listening to Bon Iver, making lattes, and running her book club (even though sometimes she forgets to read the books.)

Sophia-Joelle (Sophie) McDowell
Senior Staff Writer

Sophie McDowell (she/her) is a writer and creator currently living in Kansas City. She got her degree in mass media with an emphasis in film and video from Washburn University. She also has minors in art, history, and women’s studies. When Sophie isn’t writing or volunteering her time to social justice, she can be found hanging out with her pets. 

Shelby Faulkner
Staff Writer

Shelby Faulkner (she/her) is a Kansas City-based writer who is passionate about queer representation and intersectional feminism. She also loves to support local businesses, artists, and her community. In her free time, you can find her hanging at a local coffee shop, getting lost in a video game, curling up with a romantasy book, or chilling with her cat.

Max Sheffield
Community Manager

Max Sheffield (they/he) is a non-binary, neurodivergent, wildly passionate, trauma survivor. They live in Overland Park with their 4-year-old son. They write, speak, teach, and consume content voraciously. Max has collaborated with various community organizations, including InnovateHER KC, Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity (MORE2), Newhouse KC, and the Kansas City Beacon. His favorite romance trope is “Enemies to Lovers” and he’s tapping into their inner teenager and relearning to roller skate.

Whitney Young
Art Director

Whitney Young (she/her) is a photographer, graphic designer, and conceptual artist who currently resides in Kansas City, MO. She is passionate about the environment, local communities, and intersectional feminism, and those values often show up in her personal work. She received her BFA in Design with an emphasis in Photo Media from the University of Kansas. When she isn’t working her day job in marketing she can be found playing video games or bouldering at the local Kansas City climbing gyms. 

Maddy Best
Designer

Maddy Best (she/her) is a first-generation Vietnamese American designer. Raised in rural Missouri, she spent five years in KC before making the move to St. Louis. As a freelancer, she uses her multidisciplinary design expertise to help people, brands, and organizations bring experiences to life. Her passion is using design to answer questions and solve problems for all people – regardless of their gender, race, status, or abilities. When she’s not designing websites or brand identities, you can find Maddy cooking, listening to the same emo playlist on repeat, watching bad sci-fi films, and playing video games.

Katie Harbinson
Community Organizer

Katie Harbinson (she/her) is a Kansas City transplant with a background in political campaigns.  She is passionate about disability representation, breaking down the gender binary, and homoerotic undertones in her favorite TV shows. When not trying to convince her partner that they need to adopt another dog, Katie can be found consuming copious amounts of coffee and sarcastically commenting on the current political climate.  

Travis Young
Contributing Photographer

Travis Young(he/him)is a Kansas City based photographer with roots in photojournalism and visual storytelling. He enjoys using film cameras to help him process, celebrate, and challenge his understanding in topics of race, gender, status, and mental health. When not behind a camera, you can find him creating things in 3D, obsessing over your grandmother’s dope Volvo Wagon from the 80’s, or getting lost in some tedious cleaning activity because he is a relentless Virgo.