This is going to be a momentous year for America, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

And into this auspicious moment comes the 2026 class of the annual Kansas City Black History Project, claiming a place in a roll call of men and women who helped forever shape not only Kansas City, but the world.

As this year’s booklet states in its opening, these honored people of color and their struggle for the freedom and equality promised in the Declaration of Independence “embody the American spirit of resilience in the face of oppression.”

This year we bring you the stories of a physician, an educator, a musician, a clergyman, a community activist, and a restaurateur who, the booklet states, “each carved their own path to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

LINC annually teams with the Kansas City Public Library and the Black Archives of Mid-America to produce these stories of people who made indelible marks in our city’s history.

The project’s mission, since it began in 2010, is to share these stories with a broad audience and inspire future generations. It has become a staple of Black History education in schools, churches, community centers and households.

Here’s how to get this year’s booklet

Copies of the booklet are available at branches of the Kansas City Public Library, the Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17th Ter., and LINC Caring Communities at the Morning Star Youth and Family Life Center, 2525 E. 27th St.

Downloadable versions of the project are also available.

Click below to download:

The eight-page booklet
The six poster set
The wall calendar

And read full-length bios and connect to the Kansas City Public Library’s full collection of Black history materials at kcblackhistory.org.

Here’s a look at the Kansas City Black History Class of 2026:

• Carl M. Peterson — a physician and World War II veteran who led a strike in Kansas City to gain better conditions for staff and patients in Kansas City’s segregated Black hospital, and was the first Black Kansas City physician certified by the American Board of Surgery.
• Henry Perry — a restaurateur, known as the Barbecue King of Kansas City, who developed the techniques that became the foundation of Kansas City-style barbecue, and was known for his annual free barbecues for elderly and needy residents.
• Henry V. Plummer — a respected pastor, born into slavery, known for speaking out against racism and supporting Black rights, who served as the chaplain of the all-Black Ninth Calvary Regiment and was active in politics.
• John Lennis Preciphs — a community activist and minister known for ministering to the most vulnerable members of the community, who was active in the local civil rights struggle for over 25 years, using civil disobedience against police brutality and unfair hiring practices.
• Lucille Jeanette Bacote — a musician, teacher and choir director who spread her musical passion to generations of churchgoers and students, and whose connections and influence brought renowned artists to Kansas City like Jules Bledsoe and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
• Yvonne S. Wilson — a former state senator and educator known for her fierce advocacy and dedication to public service who was a teacher and administrator for the Kansas CIty District for 35 years before taking her passion to the Missouri Legislature.