Kansas City, MO – Keisha Jordan, the founder of Complex Flavors Home + Life, has been honored with the 2025 Luminary Arts & Creative Small Business Award by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. The award, presented by Dana Knapp, president and CEO of ArtsKC, recognizes businesses that uniquely blend artistry and community impact.
Jordan, who moved to Kansas City from Chicago in 2020, was surprised and elated as her name was announced during the Chamber’s Small Business Celebration. The award acknowledges artist-led enterprises that innovate with creativity, originality, and a commitment to community enrichment. “I trusted God, trusted the universe, and it’s just kept getting better,” Jordan commented. Her business, Complex Flavors Home + Life, merges interior design with cultural heritage, creating deeply personal spaces that tell the stories of Black culture.
The recognition of her ‘Afro-Futuristic Pop Art’ aesthetic has led to high-profile projects, including work for actress Issa Rae and hip-hop artist Big Boi. Jordan’s journey from arriving in Kansas City with no immediate support to becoming a pivotal creative force exemplifies her belief in the power of reinvention. “Saying ‘yes’ can be scary, especially when you don’t know what’s on the other side. I literally started from zero,” she shared. “You’re never too old to start a business or rediscover yourself.”
The Luminary Award, a tribute to bold entrepreneurship in the arts, comes as a custom sculpture designed by Riley Brain, the first recipient of the award and founder of Wandering Bud. The piece is inspired by the iconic shuttlecocks at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and symbolizes the intersection of art and business.
In addition to her business achievements, Jordan serves on the Regional Lupus Council for the Heartland Chapter of The Lupus Foundation, reflecting her dedication to supporting those with chronic illnesses. Winning the award has reinforced her commitment to contributing to the vibrant rebirth of Kansas City. “With this win, I want to do more in Kansas City,” she emphasized. “This city is going through a kind of rebirth right now, and I want to be part of that and bring people along for the journey.”
Keisha Jordan, originally from Chicago, now embraces Kansas City as her home, deeply valuing the connections and opportunities she has found there.
