KCUR: After winning national praise, the KC Black History project looks to expand its reach

A crowd gathered for the 1914 cornerstone laying at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri. The photo appears on the cover of the Kansas City Black History project's book.

KCUR | By Luke X. Martin

The project, which goes beyond well-known historical mainstays like baseball, jazz and barbeque, highlights local African Americans who influenced Kansas City, and national, history.

Jeremy Drouin didn’t get into historical research work for the accolades, but that didn’t stop him celebrating last month when a local history project he’s been working on since 2014 won a national award.

“We were thrilled to get it,” said Drouin, who manages the Kansas City Public Library’s Missouri Valley Special Collections. “It’s rewarding when a national organization that promotes good history (says) your project is important.”

In June, the American Association for State and Local History recognized the Kansas City Black History project with its annual Award of Excellence, which will be presented at a conference this fall.

Drouin’s team at the library, along with the Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City, are responsible for most of the research and writing that goes into the project, which highlights the contributions of African American locals who shaped Kansas City and the nation.

Since 2010, the Local Investment Commission, the library, and the Black Archives have created annual booklets, posters, calendars, and, more recently, a website, all celebrating Black history in Kansas City. The partners last year printed a 44-page collection featuring the stories of educators, medical workers, entrepreneurs, civic leaders and more. 20,000 copies were distributed for free at library branches, schools, churches and community centers.

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