'It Continually Surprises Me': Meet The People Of Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri, was the 16th stop on our Listen To America road trip. Between eating all the barbecue we could and weaving through fountains, we dropped by Union Station for the day to hear what the locals had to say:

“It continually surprises me. ... I get the feeling that the city is really trying to make itself something great and there’s something really beautiful about that greatness.”

― Ashley Tebbe, 29, art director

“I love it because it’s got a little bit of everything. It gives me the opportunity to go to concerts, sporting events, and just general different things.”

― John Deterding, 28, entrepreneur

“I work at 39th and Main at Kansas City Center for Inclusion. We’re an LGBTQIA community center.”

― Samantha Ruggles, 59, advocacy

“My parents came in World War II for the war effort at Junction City, Kansas, in Fort Riley. They came from New York City. ... Kansas City is a great place to live.”

― Susan Lawrence, 77, art dealer/retired

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“This is home for my daughter. ... She’s had to go through a lot of racial inequality here, but she’s a survivor. She’s had different disabilities throughout her life, but I always told her, ‘They’re not disabilities. You just have to do things different.’”

― Louise Lynch, 56, medical advocate and caretaker

“We come together really well to help each other out in times of need.”

― Sue Sanders, 52, information technology

“I grew up here. ... I think the people are really friendly. We do have that Midwest feel.”

― Tiffany Hamlett, 29, communications manager

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Also on HuffPost

The HuffPost tour bus sits in the Union Station parking lot during HuffPost's visit to Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 10, 2017, as part of Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip. The outlet will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country.
The HuffPost tour bus sits in the Union Station parking lot during HuffPost's visit to Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 10, 2017, as part of Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip. The outlet will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country.
People visit the Listen To America table during HuffPost's visit to Kansas City.
People visit the Listen To America table during HuffPost's visit to Kansas City.
Dancers Marisa Whiteman, Divya Rhea and Gavin Abercrombie are interviewed.
Dancers Marisa Whiteman, Divya Rhea and Gavin Abercrombie are interviewed.
A logo on a door during HuffPost's visit to Union Station in Kansas City.
A logo on a door during HuffPost's visit to Union Station in Kansas City.
Rainie Jazeh and Diana Jones get off the bus after an interview.
Rainie Jazeh and Diana Jones get off the bus after an interview.
Augustus the dog visits the Listen To America tents.
Augustus the dog visits the Listen To America tents.
Dancers Divya Rhea, Gavin Abercrombie and Marisa Whiteman show off their dance moves.
Dancers Divya Rhea, Gavin Abercrombie and Marisa Whiteman show off their dance moves.
Dancer Gavin Abercrombie dances in Kansas City.
Dancer Gavin Abercrombie dances in Kansas City.
Dancer Divya Rhea shows off her moves.
Dancer Divya Rhea shows off her moves.
Marisa Whiteman demonstrates a leap.
Marisa Whiteman demonstrates a leap.
Moderator Ash R. Allee and panelists Suzanne Wheeler, Debi Jackson, Carmen Xavier and Randall Jensen take part in the "Serving One's Country and Being True to Oneself" event at the Diastole Scholars' Center in Kansas City.
Moderator Ash R. Allee and panelists Suzanne Wheeler, Debi Jackson, Carmen Xavier and Randall Jensen take part in the "Serving One's Country and Being True to Oneself" event at the Diastole Scholars' Center in Kansas City.
Panelist Debi Jackson speaks to the audience.
Panelist Debi Jackson speaks to the audience.
Panelist Suzanne Wheeler speaks.
Panelist Suzanne Wheeler speaks.
Tamra Tucker asks questions of panelists Suzanne Wheeler, Debi Jackson, Carmen Xavier and Randall Jensen.
Tamra Tucker asks questions of panelists Suzanne Wheeler, Debi Jackson, Carmen Xavier and Randall Jensen.
Ron Jones of KCUR speaks to the audience before the "Serving One's Country and Being True to Oneself" event.
Ron Jones of KCUR speaks to the audience before the "Serving One's Country and Being True to Oneself" event.
Randall Jensen speaks to the audience.
Randall Jensen speaks to the audience.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.