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Yvonne Starks Wilson

Former Missouri Sen. Yvonne Starks Wilson was known for her fierce advocacy and dedication to public service. She was born in 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised by her grandparents in the historic Leeds Neighborhood. After graduating from Lincoln High School, Wilson earned a degree in elementary education from Lincoln University and a master’s in sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. For 35 years, she worked for the Kansas City School District and retired as Director of Elementary Education. She also became the first Black president of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals. 

Ida M. Bowman Becks

Ida M. Bowman Becks

As a renowned lecturer, clubwoman, and suffragist, Ida Bowman Becks led the local African American community in the pursuit of equality.

Mary Groves Bland

Mary Groves Bland

For more than two decades in the Missouri State Legislature as a Democratic representative, Mary Groves Bland was an advocate for the rights of minorities and a champion of equality and social justice.

Lucile H. Bluford

Lucile H. Bluford

Bluford served as editor of The Kansas City Call for nearly 50 years and played an important role in the major civil rights battles of the 20th century.

Alvin Brooks

Alvin Brooks: Dismantling the American Racist System

A while back, while I was searching for material for the memoir I was preparing, I ran across an article I had written for The Kansas City Call, the Black weekly newspaper, at the request of the late Miss Lucile Bluford, managing editor.

Phillip B. Curls Sr.

Phillip B. Curls Sr.

Longtime Missouri legislator and political activist Phil Curls Sr. worked tirelessly to bring positive change to the lives of his Black constituents.

Harold L. Holliday Sr.

Harold L. Holliday Sr.

Harold Holliday Sr. was a lawyer and legislator who devoted his career to civil rights activism. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1918, he moved with his family two years later to Kansas City and lived there most of his life.

Leon Jordan & Orchid Jordan

Leon Jordan & Orchid Jordan

The Jordans worked throughout their careers to expand the influence of African American voters and to increase the number of Black candidates for political office.

Florynce R. Kennedy

Florynce R. Kennedy

Florynce Rae Kennedy was a civil rights attorney and feminist activist. Her controversial tactics and provocative tone drew criticism but also helped publicize national debates on abortion, racism in the media, women’s equality, and consumer protection.

NEW!

photo of woman with scarf pointing in conversation

Yvonne Starks Wilson

Former Missouri Sen. Yvonne Starks Wilson was known for her fierce advocacy and dedication to public service. She was born in 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised by her grandparents in the historic Leeds Neighborhood. After graduating from Lincoln High School, Wilson earned a degree in elementary education from Lincoln University and a master’s in sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. For 35 years, she worked for the Kansas City School District and retired as Director of Elementary Education. She also became the first Black president of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals. 

Ida M. Bowman Becks

Ida M. Bowman Becks

As a renowned lecturer, clubwoman, and suffragist, Ida Bowman Becks led the local African American community in the pursuit of equality.

Mary Groves Bland

Mary Groves Bland

For more than two decades in the Missouri State Legislature as a Democratic representative, Mary Groves Bland was an advocate for the rights of minorities and a champion of equality and social justice.

Lucile H. Bluford

Lucile H. Bluford

Bluford served as editor of The Kansas City Call for nearly 50 years and played an important role in the major civil rights battles of the 20th century.

Alvin Brooks

Alvin Brooks: Dismantling the American Racist System

A while back, while I was searching for material for the memoir I was preparing, I ran across an article I had written for The Kansas City Call, the Black weekly newspaper, at the request of the late Miss Lucile Bluford, managing editor.

Phillip B. Curls Sr.

Phillip B. Curls Sr.

Longtime Missouri legislator and political activist Phil Curls Sr. worked tirelessly to bring positive change to the lives of his Black constituents.

Harold L. Holliday Sr.

Harold L. Holliday Sr.

Harold Holliday Sr. was a lawyer and legislator who devoted his career to civil rights activism. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1918, he moved with his family two years later to Kansas City and lived there most of his life.

Leon Jordan & Orchid Jordan

Leon Jordan & Orchid Jordan

The Jordans worked throughout their careers to expand the influence of African American voters and to increase the number of Black candidates for political office.

Florynce R. Kennedy

Florynce R. Kennedy

Florynce Rae Kennedy was a civil rights attorney and feminist activist. Her controversial tactics and provocative tone drew criticism but also helped publicize national debates on abortion, racism in the media, women’s equality, and consumer protection.

Rosemary Smith Lowe

Rosemary Smith Lowe

Rosemary Smith Lowe broke color barriers in a segregated city, forged Black political power, raised up neighborhoods and, even in her 70s, stood as a fulcrum of peace between police and angry youths.

Bernard Powell

The Bernard Powell Memorial, a life-sized bronze statue within a fountain in Spring Valley Park, commemorates his life and legacy.

Bernard Powell

Bernard Powell was a leader in local and national efforts to end racial discrimination and increase the political and economic power of African Americans.

William J. Thompkins

William J. Thompkins

Physician, hospital administrator, newspaper publisher, and civil servant William J. Thompkins helped found General Hospital No. 2 in Kansas City, the first U.S. hospital staffed entirely by African Americans.

Bruce R. Watkins

Bruce R. Watkins

Bruce R. Watkins was an entrepreneur, public official, and community leader. Born Bruce Riley in Parkville, Missouri, Watkins was adopted by his mother’s second husband, Theron B. Watkins, co-founder of Watkins Brothers Funeral Home.

Roy Wilkins

Roy Wilkins

Roy Wilkins led the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1955 to 1977 and today is recognized as a giant of the civil rights struggle.

NEW!

photo of woman with scarf pointing in conversation

Yvonne Starks Wilson

Former Missouri Sen. Yvonne Starks Wilson was known for her fierce advocacy and dedication to public service. She was born in 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised by her grandparents in the historic Leeds Neighborhood. After graduating from Lincoln High School, Wilson earned a degree in elementary education from Lincoln University and a master’s in sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. For 35 years, she worked for the Kansas City School District and retired as Director of Elementary Education. She also became the first Black president of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals. 

Ida M. Bowman Becks

Ida M. Bowman Becks

As a renowned lecturer, clubwoman, and suffragist, Ida Bowman Becks led the local African American community in the pursuit of equality.

Mary Groves Bland

Mary Groves Bland

For more than two decades in the Missouri State Legislature as a Democratic representative, Mary Groves Bland was an advocate for the rights of minorities and a champion of equality and social justice.

Lucile H. Bluford

Lucile H. Bluford

Bluford served as editor of The Kansas City Call for nearly 50 years and played an important role in the major civil rights battles of the 20th century.

Alvin Brooks

Alvin Brooks: Dismantling the American Racist System

A while back, while I was searching for material for the memoir I was preparing, I ran across an article I had written for The Kansas City Call, the Black weekly newspaper, at the request of the late Miss Lucile Bluford, managing editor.

Phillip B. Curls Sr.

Phillip B. Curls Sr.

Longtime Missouri legislator and political activist Phil Curls Sr. worked tirelessly to bring positive change to the lives of his Black constituents.

Harold L. Holliday Sr.

Harold L. Holliday Sr.

Harold Holliday Sr. was a lawyer and legislator who devoted his career to civil rights activism. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1918, he moved with his family two years later to Kansas City and lived there most of his life.

Leon Jordan & Orchid Jordan

Leon Jordan & Orchid Jordan

The Jordans worked throughout their careers to expand the influence of African American voters and to increase the number of Black candidates for political office.

Florynce R. Kennedy

Florynce R. Kennedy

Florynce Rae Kennedy was a civil rights attorney and feminist activist. Her controversial tactics and provocative tone drew criticism but also helped publicize national debates on abortion, racism in the media, women’s equality, and consumer protection.

Rosemary Smith Lowe

Rosemary Smith Lowe

Rosemary Smith Lowe broke color barriers in a segregated city, forged Black political power, raised up neighborhoods and, even in her 70s, stood as a fulcrum of peace between police and angry youths.

Bernard Powell

The Bernard Powell Memorial, a life-sized bronze statue within a fountain in Spring Valley Park, commemorates his life and legacy.

Bernard Powell

Bernard Powell was a leader in local and national efforts to end racial discrimination and increase the political and economic power of African Americans.

William J. Thompkins

William J. Thompkins

Physician, hospital administrator, newspaper publisher, and civil servant William J. Thompkins helped found General Hospital No. 2 in Kansas City, the first U.S. hospital staffed entirely by African Americans.

Bruce R. Watkins

Bruce R. Watkins

Bruce R. Watkins was an entrepreneur, public official, and community leader. Born Bruce Riley in Parkville, Missouri, Watkins was adopted by his mother’s second husband, Theron B. Watkins, co-founder of Watkins Brothers Funeral Home.

Roy Wilkins

Roy Wilkins

Roy Wilkins led the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1955 to 1977 and today is recognized as a giant of the civil rights struggle.