Ryan Sorrell

The Kansas City Defender

Ryan Sorrell founded The Kansas City Defender in 2021. In two years, it’s become one of the nation’s fastest-growing Black digital news startups reaching over 50 million impressions with 50% of its audience between the ages of 13 and 30.

Most notably, Sorrell broke the story of a missing Black woman that prompted the Kansas City Police Department to reinstate their missing persons unit. In addition to his reporting, The Defender’s community engagement efforts–basketball park takeovers and grocery buyouts–have made it a staple in the local Black community.