31st Annual Black History Celebration & Scholarship Banquet

Published on February 22, 2023

Celebrating African Americans History and Culture, while providing scholarships to local students 

On Saturday, February 18, 2023, the Unified Government (UG) Black History Committee (BHC) hosted its 31^st Annual Black History Celebration and Scholarship Banquet at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. This sold-out event captured the attention and presence of Mayor Tyrone A. Garner, many local and state elected officials, community leaders and various local organizations and businesses leaders.   

With the goal of celebrating the rich African American history and culture in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, this event also was a fundraising opportunity for the committee to raise funds to award scholarships for local students.  The event kicked-off with a social hour and local vendor booths in the lobby of Memorial Hall. Following the social hour, guests were entertained with an engaging program spotlighting Unified Government staff and local presenters.

“The Black History Committee has been in existence for over 40 years, and we continue to move our committee forward with the traditional foundation of our founders, yet, continuously paving the way to be innovative and inclusive with our diverse community,” expressed Black History Committee Vice-Chair, Deasiray Bush. “Our ongoing celebration is more than one night of highlights; it is the continuous work and partnerships in our community to fully support the next generation of youth who will one day lead us.”

The evening also highlighted a panel discussion focused on “Preserving Our History”, a conversation moderated by former UG Assistant County Administrator, Gordon Criswell. Panelists included Amy Loch, Director of the Wyandotte County Museum, Randy Greeves, UG Historic Preservationist, and John & Sheleah McPherson, business owners of JLM Construction and Leah’s Laundromat on the Q. This discussion provided guests with a diverse perspective on preserving African American history and culture in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

During the event, components of the Northeast heritage trail traveling exhibit was displayed throughout the banquet space.  The full traveling exhibit is now housed at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum until March 7, 2023. 

2023 Scholarships

Providing scholarships to local African American students striving to continue their educational journey is a strong focus for the Black History Committee. During the evening the committee presented scholarship funds in the amount of $1,500 to Donnelly College Board Chair, Jason Banks and Kansas City, Kansas Community College President, Dr. Greg Moser.

2023 Leadership Honorees

Each year the Black History Committee honors community leaders and businesses that exhibit cultural commitment, dedication, and hard work. This year the committee honored Nelson McConnell, owner of Nelson’s Flavorades with the 2023 business leadership award and Ms. LaVeda Davis, Founder of the Gateway Highsteppers with the community leadership award.

A special thanks to event performers, Brandy Wells for the reciting of the original poem "Don't Let Me Go Stale", and Jerel D. McGeachy Jr. for reciting the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speech, "I've Been to the Mountaintop". 

The Black History Committee thanks the many organizations and individuals that purchased individual and table sponsored tickets to help make this event a huge success. Donations and proceeds from this event went towards the Black History Committee Scholarship fund for scholarships for students in the future.

About the Black History Committee

Launched in 1982, the Unified Government Black History Committee is an employee-led, all-volunteer committee dedicated to hosting programming for Black History Month in Wyandotte County every year. In addition to raising thousands of dollars in scholarships for local students, the Committee has highlighted community efforts and entrepreneurship by black leaders from across the county.

For more information regarding the Black History Committee and ways to donate to the scholarship fund. Please visit www.wycokck.org/bhc.