INFLUENTIAL BLACK
KANSAS CITIANS
Stay Informed. Stay Safe. Stay Empowered.
Kansas City boasts a rich history of influential Black individuals who have significantly shaped the city's cultural, political, and social landscape. Here are some notable figures:e change, resilience, and progress for future generations.
Leon Jordan
(1905–1970)
A pioneering politician and civil rights leader, Jordan co-founded Freedom, Inc., a political organization aimed at empowering African Americans in Kansas City. He served in the Missouri House of Representatives and was instrumental in advocating for civil rights and political representation.
Dorothy Height
(1912–2010)
A prominent civil rights and women's rights activist, Height was born in Richmond, Virginia, but her impactful work extended to Kansas City. She served as the president of the National Council of Negro Women for four decades and was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for desegregation and gender equality.
Charlie Parker
(1920–1955)
Born in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Parker was a revolutionary jazz saxophonist and composer. A leading figure in the development of bebop, his innovative approach to melody and harmony has left a lasting legacy on jazz music.
Buck O'Neil
(1911–2006)
A first baseman and manager in the Negro Leagues, O'Neil was a beloved figure in Kansas City's baseball history. He became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball and was a tireless advocate for the recognition of Negro Leagues players, contributing significantly to the establishment of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.
H.W. Sewing
(1905–1995)
Henry Warren Sewing founded Douglass State Bank, the first Black-owned bank in the Midwest, which played a crucial role in providing financial services to the African American community in Kansas City, fostering economic growth and development.
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Satchel Paige
(1906–1982)
A legendary baseball pitcher known for his incredible skill, longevity, and charismatic personality. A Kansas City Monarchs star, he helped break racial barriers in baseball and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. His dazzling fastball, showmanship, and witty quotes made him one of the most iconic figures in baseball history.
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Lucile H. Bluford
(1911–2003)
A pioneering journalist and civil rights activist in Kansas City. As the longtime editor of The Kansas City Call, a leading Black newspaper, she used her platform to advocate for racial justice, education, and civil rights. She famously challenged segregation in higher education after being denied admission to the University of Missouri’s journalism program due to her race. Bluford’s relentless activism and commitment to truth made her a powerful voice for the Black community in Kansas City and beyond.
Andrew "Rube" Foster
(1879–1930)
Andrew "Rube" Foster's commitment to Kansas City was pivotal in the advancement of African American baseball. On February 13, 1920, he convened a meeting at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, bringing together eight independent Black baseball team owners to establish the Negro National League (NNL). This groundbreaking event provided a structured platform for Black players to showcase their talents during an era of segregation.
Anne Thomas
(1911 – 2002)
Anne Thomas (née Jenkins) dedicated her life to education, counseling, and civil rights. Moving to Kansas City in 1932, she taught at R.T. Coles Vocational School before becoming a counselor. In 1942, she married Dr. Earl D. Thomas, the city’s first Black at-large councilperson. A YWCA leader, she championed integration and became its first Black board president in 1958. Elected to the Metropolitan Junior College board in 1970, she remained a strong advocate for education and desegregation until her passing in 2002.
Claude “Fiddler” Williams
(1908 – 2004)
Claude "Fiddler" Williams, born in 1908 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, became a Kansas City jazz icon. He began performing at 10 and mastered multiple string instruments, but the violin defined his career. After joining the Twelve Clouds of Joy in 1927, he moved to Kansas City, playing with jazz greats like Mary Lou Williams and Nat "King" Cole. He later played guitar for Count Basie, earning DownBeat’s “Best Guitarist” in 1936. Returning to Kansas City in 1953, he performed for decades, releasing albums into the 2000s. He passed away in 2004 at 96, a lasting link to 1930s jazz.
Frank Duncan
(1901 – 1973)
Frank Lee Duncan Jr., a Kansas City native, was a standout Negro Leagues player and manager from 1920-1948. A dominant catcher and baserunner, he starred for the Kansas City Monarchs, helping them win three straight pennants (1923-1925) and the first Negro League World Series in 1924. After playing in Chicago, New York, and Pittsburgh, he returned to Kansas City as the Monarchs’ player-manager in 1942, leading them to a World Series title. He retired in 1947 but remained involved as an umpire. Duncan passed away in 1973, with several Monarchs teammates serving as pallbearers.
Henry Ossawa Tanner
(1859 – 1937)
Henry Ossawa Tanner, the first internationally renowned African American artist, was born in Pittsburgh in 1859. Inspired by painting at 13, he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, becoming its first Black student. Facing racism, he moved to Paris in 1891, where he gained fame for his depictions of African American life and religious themes. A visit to Kansas City in 1897 influenced his style, blending realism with bold abstraction. He married opera singer Jessie Olsson in 1899 and remained in Paris until his death in 1937.
Jeremiah Cameron
(1919 – 2008)
Dr. Jeremiah Cameron, a lifelong advocate for education and literacy, taught for nearly 50 years. Born in Kansas City, he developed a love for English and reading early on. After graduating from Lincoln High in 1937, he earned degrees from Indiana University, the University of Chicago, and Michigan State. He taught at R.T. Coles, Lincoln High, and later led Penn Valley Community College’s language department. A civil rights advocate, he wrote for The Kansas City Call and received the 1996 Harold L. Holliday Sr. Civil Rights Award. Dr. Jeremiah Cameron Park was dedicated in his honor before his passing.
Julia H. Hill
(1922 – 2016)
Dr. Julia Hill dedicated her life to civil rights and educational equity. Inspired by her teacher mother, she pursued degrees from Lincoln University, UCLA, and Nova University. She began teaching in 1943 and later became a school administrator, advocating for equal access through the Title I program. Elected to the school board in 1984, she served as president from 1990-1996. A leader in activism, she co-founded the Community Committee for Social Action in 1958 and led the Kansas City NAACP from 1971-1980. When she passed in 2016, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II honored her as a mentor to many.