Toriano Porter
The Kansas City Star
Jersey City, NJ, United States
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Past articles by Toriano:
This eighth-grader was called the N-word. Will Liberty school officials take action?
Anthony and Jennifer Richardson’s daughter spent the last weeks of eighth-grade at South Valley Middle School in Liberty being homeschooled after she reported being called the N-word by a white student. → Read More
Big Slick brings out stars for a good cause. Why does it feel like everybody’s white?
Of the 38 celebrity guests taking part in the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend that starts Friday, only three are African Americans. The event raises millions to fight cancer, but the all-star lineup is glaringly white. → Read More
After Kansas Buffalo Wild Wings sued for discrimination, a lesson on tipping while black
A former employee of Buffalo Wild Wings alleged that management allowed staff to deny service to African Americans because they’re bad tippers. The racial stereotype is offensive, but is it backed up by research? → Read More
KC still wasn’t ready to elect a black woman mayor, but Canady knocked down some barriers
Kansas City voters didn’t make Alissia Canady the first African-American woman to advance to the general election for mayor. But her fearless, no-frills campaign carved a path for the future. → Read More
The story of my murdered son matters. And this Missouri family’s son does, too
As a parent of a child who was murdered, columnist Toriano Porter understands the wrenching heartbreak that Lisa Patrick and husband Martin are feeling after their son, Micheal Brewer, was shot to death last year. → Read More
Former KSHB reporter Lisa Benson Cooper challenged the system and won — sort of
Lisa Benson Cooper, a former KSHB-TV Channel 41 reporter who was fired for sharing an article on white fragility, says she has no regrets about challenging a system she says failed to reward her years of hard work. → Read More
Why was an African-American teen told to remove his hoodie at a KC grocery store?
After Sherry Mirador and her family arrived at Marsh’s Sun Fresh grocery store in Westport, employees asked her 17-year-old son to remove his hoodie. When did wearing a sweatshirt become suspicious behavior? → Read More
‘Terrifying’ alleged beating by St. Louis police changed KC couple’s life forever
Drew and Jennifer Burbridge were arrested while filming a protest last year in St. Louis. Drew claims he was beaten by officers. The incident left the Kansas City couple questioning the role of police. → Read More
KCP&L’s rising utility costs got you down? Trust me, I know the feeling
Toriano Porter knows the helpless feeling that comes with doing battle over a bill from a utility giant such as Kansas City Power & Light. For some who have seen electric bills spike, filing a complaint may help. → Read More
Sharing ‘white women’s tears’ article shouldn’t have cost this KSHB reporter her job
Posting an article on Facebook about “white women’s tears” should never have cost Lisa Benson Cooper her job at KSHB Channel 41. Her firing highlights the very racial tensions in the workplace that writer Ruby Hamad described. → Read More
Deadly shooting caught on video. Did overworked public defender cost this man his freedom?
There’s little doubt that Terrance Blanks shot Rocky Bradley to death after the two men exchanged fire. The shooting appeared to be an act of self-defense, but Blanks says an overworked public defender cost him his freedom. → Read More
African-American leaders want to rename The Paseo for MLK. Their voice should matter
Kansas City is in a unique position to change the reputation of streets named for Martin Luther King Jr., which in too many cities have become symbols of crime and economic despair. → Read More
Has Kansas City given the American Jazz Museum a fair shot at success?
Kansas City has collectively given the American Jazz Museum the stiff arm. Why not explore progressive options to breathe new life into the acclaimed museum? → Read More
Without more action to combat racial discrimination, Starbucks’ talk is cheap
Starbucks took swift action and scheduled racial bias training for employees after an alleged racial discrimination incident led to the arrest of two black men at a store in Philadelphia. But this looks more like a PR strategy than a long-term change in policy. → Read More
Kansas City needs a state-of-the-art animal shelter
The concept to design, build and operate the $26 million Kansas City Campus for Animal Care in Swope Park should be approved by the Kansas City Council. → Read More
A deadly shooting at a Kansas City gas station could have been avoided
Kameron Gines allegedly fatally shot 27-year-old Brent Copeland three times at close range after an altercation at a Kansas City gas station. Gines’ family believes he acted in self defense. Prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder. → Read More
Light snow expected to fall after midnight in metro area
The metro area is under a winter weather advisory from midnight to noon Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill. → Read More
Blue Springs teen shot and killed: Police ID two people of interest
Blue Springs police are searching for two people of interest in the Friday shooting death of Jack Price, 18, of Blue Springs. → Read More
Work crews battle water line break on 135th Street, Wornall
Water department employees were forced to shut off water around a break that left the intersection of 135th street and Wornall Road covered in ice. → Read More
Multi-vehicle wreck briefly shuts down northbound U.S. 69 near Stilwell. Kan.
A multi-vehicle wreck temporarily shut down the northbound lane of U.S. 69 near Stilwell, Kan. Friday morning. No injuries were immediately reported. → Read More