August is National Black Business Month and the perfecttime to recognize and support Black-owned businesses across America. Kansas City, Kan. is home to a rich history of Black heritage, culture, and enterprise, providing countless opportunities to learn, honor, and celebrate our locally Black-owned businesses. …
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Uncovering the color of Kansas City, KS, little by little I’m always looking for the art in everything, even if I have to force it. Never satisfied with the amount of art I’ve got, I always seek more. The last time I was out to eat, my girlfriend, Michaela, laughed at me because I rearranged the salt shakers, utensils and menus into a Frank Lloyd Wright house and called it good. When I walk through mud, I make patterns with my shoes as if I were designing fabric for a premiere runway. In art…
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Finding bits of Americana among the rich history of Kansas City, Kansas Since becoming a state in 1861—not quite a hundred years before I was born—Kansas City, Kan. has packed a great deal of history and heritage into the last century and a half. As a couple of dedicated history buffs, my husband Raymond and I were excited to visit the city and check a few items off ye olde “historical” bucket list. We especially looked forward to getting off the typical tourist path and exploring the Freedom’s…
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Explore the powerful connections to black history in Kansas City, KS Every person has a unique history. A culture. A past. With the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life nowadays, it’s easy to get caught up in the present. Far too often we rush ahead at full speed ready for the next thing life throws at us, forgetting to take the time to sit and reflect on the history of those who came before us. My husband and I sat talking about this one night, and decided we needed to do something different…
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Three generations of women discover the true meaning of girl power in Kansas City, Kansas Lyda Conley fascinates me. I wish I had known about her in high school, when I was struggling to write a paper titled “If you could go back in time and have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be?” Now the answer was obvious to me: Lyda Conley. But I was long out of high school when I first saw a mural with her image on the side of a building in Kansas City, Kan. The mural made such an impression…
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When I think of my dad, I think of a lot of different things. I think of his hands steadying the seat of my bike as I pedaled my way down the sidewalk. I remember his wink as we both snuck a second popsicle on a hot summer evening. I think of my horror in finding that I’d been placed in his history class in ninth grade, and I think of the sheer joy and pride that shone on his face when I was accepted to college. There are other memories in there too—the furrow in his brow when he grounded me…
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August 29th marks what would be the 100th birthday of the Kansas City, KS born Jazz legend Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. Known for his smooth alto saxophone, Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading musician in the development of bebop, a form of jazz characterized by fast tempos, technique, and advanced harmonies. Parker was raised in KCMO, near the Westport area. He began playing sax at the young age of 11 and later joined his school band at Lincoln High School. He left school in…
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During a time where social distancing is encouraged, our free Guide by Cell Audio Tour is the perfect way to get out and explore Kansas City, KS. Whether you are a history buff or looking for an afternoon activity for your family, the Guide by Cell program allows you to tour Kansas City, KS at your own pace. Learn about the fascinating details of sites and attractions that form the history of Kansas City, KS. From stadiums to historic sites, the audio tours allow you to customize and categorize…
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As spring makes her appearance and the storms bring about a lovely floral array, we are reminded of beauty, regeneration and growth. All of these things, also achievements that ages of developing empowerment have inspired women to contribute, are certainly worth appreciating this Women’s History Month. It is no doubt that many brilliant women have had a substantial influence expanding our knowledge as a population and advancing our societies since the beginning of time. These remarkable women come from all over the world, but there are women like them in every town and city on the map—even the city you call home. Let’s take a journey back in time to honor some of the most notable women to come from Kansas City, Kansas…
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Kansas City, KS will bring out the history buff in you! Travel back in time and discover our rich history as you make your way through the city visiting local museums and historical sites…
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