Reply by CaptainKlutz

Newbie woodworker here… I proceeded to cut grooves on each of sides individually holding it down and against the fence (also at 1/4”) with a short push block.
- WoodGoogan

IMHO – The mistake was simple: cut across the wood grain with board wedged between fence and blade.

With cross grain cuts it only takes the slightest error to push a small piece sideways and get caught by blade, resulting in kick back.

Either use a cross cut sled, or use miter gauge and use a spacer block attached to fence to set the required 1/4” depth, so that as wood is pushed forward it is no longer touching the block or trapped against the fence.

Thanks for reading my 2cents opinion.

Best Luck.

-- If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all, - Albert King - Born Under a Bad Sign released 1967