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40º | Rain/snow mix | 98% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:12 p.m.

Photo of Morgan Cooper's image projected on a big screen

From KC to TV. | Photo by KCtoday

Consider him the “Fresh Prince” of Kansas City. Morgan Cooper is a KC native and the creator of the show “Bel-Air.” This dramatic reinterpretation of the hit show starring Will Smith is currently releasing season two episodes on Peacock.

Morgan came back to KC recently to speak at the KC Chamber Annual Dinner. Here’s what he said about his beginnings as a filmmaker, his big break, and how Kansas City shows up in the show.

Morgan’s origins

The 30-year-old success story began his story as a 19-year-old with a camera and a dream. He wanted to make a living behind the lens, so that’s what he set out to do — with no plan B.

Morgan described many years as “failing forward,” making lots of mistakes and spending lots of hours learning.

“It’s like Travis Kelce — yards after contact,” Morgan said. "[My mother] said imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.”

He said his inspiration for “Bel-Air” came to him while driving on 71 Highway. He quickly sketched down his idea at a local coffee shop. Then, he spent $25,000 of his own money to make the video short.

It went so viral, it caught Will Smith’s attention.

KC_Morgan Cooper at KC Chamber Dinner — It was a big room, OK?
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Photo by KCtoday

“Without Kansas City, there is no ‘Bel-Air’”

That’s what Morgan said at the Chamber dinner, saying he purposefully infused the show with KC.

“I love my city [...] I rep it so hard because we have some of the most innovative, creative people come from this city,” Morgan said. “Who would I be to not get my city involved?”

That means works + designs from local artists Jason Wilcox, Whitney Manney, and Herald Smith can all be seen on scene. Morgan’s goal was to use the show as a platform for KC.

“‘Bel-Air’ is just the beginning of a much bigger vision.”

He said his next project — a TV show called “Black Coffee” — will feature Kansas City’s East Side.

Events

Friday, March 24

Kansas City Ballet Presents “New Moves” | Friday, Mar. 24-Sunday, Mar. 26 | Times vary | Todd Bolender Center, 500 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO | $35-$75 | The KC Ballet leaps onto the stage with a showcase of contemporary dance in an intimate setting — the organization’s home.

Saturday, March 25

Little Explorer’s Club + Horns to Hair: Keratin in Nature | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 10:15-11 a.m. | Museum at Prairiefire, 5801 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | $0-$5 | Curious kids can learn about the fibrous little protein that adorns Mother Nature with hair, horns, nails, hooves, shells, beaks, and feathers.

Sunday, March 26

Live Jazz with Bram Wijnands | Sunday, March 26 | 3 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Company, 310 W. 79th St., Kansas City, MO | $0+ | Munch on Bavarian pretzels while enjoying live jazz, polka, and German drinking songs.

Monday, March 27

Trivia Night | Monday, Mar. 27 | 7-9 p.m. | Atomic Cowboy KC, 4144 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO | Free | Go for a slice and a bev, and lead your team to a brainy victory with prizes (or just a good time).

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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100+ more events

News Notes

Weather

47º | PM Rain | 87% chance of rain

Civic

The KC City Council approved a $2.06 billion budget for fiscal year 2023-2024. This budget focuses on bettering the lives of Kansas Citians through initiatives like healthy communities, infrastructure and accessibility, and public safety.

Open

Well, reopened. Buzzard Beach is officially back in Westport at 4110 Pennsylvania Ave — just in time for patio season. Pop by for a cold drink + a game of pool.

Celebrate

The City of Fountains Foundation is celebrating 50 years by partnering with the Royals Bring Out The Blue initiative. One fountain will be dyed blue each month through September. The first fountain will be dyed on Fountain Day — Friday, April 14.

Kansas Citian

One of our favorite Kansas Citians, Jason Sudeikis, visited the White House this week to talk about the importance of mental health. Check out his comments about Kansas City here. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Biz

Chicken N Pickle is expanding across new state lines. The North Kansas City-based restaurant is heading to Fisher, Indiana. The new location is expected to create 150 jobs and open in late 2024. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Edu

Applications for Starlight Theatre’s 2023 Vincent Legacy Scholarship program are now open. The scholarship is meant for BIPOC youth who are looking to gain life-changing experience in the performing arts. Submissions are due Wednesday, April 5.

Number

$241. That’s the real price of a roundtrip ticket from Boston to Barcelona sold this year via Going — a travel membership that alerts you when flight prices drop. Sign up for a free membership or try an Elite membership for free if you’re interested in business and first class tickets, too.

DYK

Did you know today is the last day to enter our Six & Main Spring Forward Contest? The winner + two of their friends will receive a prize from one of our coffee/tea brand partners. Spring on over to Instagram to learn more.

FILM

🎬 Starstruck

Movies in the Park is a great way to see classic films. | Photo by Wendy Delzeit + @cityoflenexa

It should come as no surprise that Kansas City was named one of the “Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” in MovieMaker Magazine. The magazine lauded our photogenic city for its ideal film locations and lack of film permit requirements. What can we say? The camera loves the 18th & Vine Jazz District.

No wonder so many films and television shows have been shot here — including HBO’s second biggest debut, “The Last of Us.” While the video game the show is based on didn’t originally feature KC, some of the scenes were filmed here.

Do you have a favorite film set in Kansas City? Let us know.

The Wrap

Today’s Edition By:
Bella

From the Editor

This weekend, I am leaving our beloved Kansas City for a road trip to Fayetville, Arkansas for my partner and I’s anniversary. Neither of us have ever been, so hit me up with your recommendations.

Maybe we will do a road trip guide there in the future. 👀

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