Celebrating Black History Month in Southeast Kansas

February is Black History Month, and several organizations throughout Southeast Kansas have special events planned to celebrate the history, achievements, and contributions of African Americans. We’ve compiled this short list of some of the events you can look forward to this month!

Gordon Parks Museum

Our friends at the Gordon Parks Museum are currently hosting a Black History Month Tribute Panel Exhibit featuring more than 80 different displays highlighting black innovators and leaders throughout history. The exhibit will run through the end of the month.

The Museum is also hosting a virtual Lunch & Learn this Friday, February 12, exploring the history of an abandoned Fort Scott cemetery where predominantly black early Bourbon County residents were laid to rest. You can register for the webinar, “Mayhew The Forgotten Cemetery,” through the Gordon Parks Museum’s website.

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State University is also hosting several events to celebrate Black History Month, including:

  • A Black History Month Book Display at the Axe Library.
  • “A Series of Artistic Inspiration,” an interactive art exhibit at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts put on in partnership with the Black Student Association. (You can read more about the exhibit in the Morning Sun.)
  • The sixth annual Gospel Explosion at the Overman Student Center on February 17. This event will feature Bishop Walter N. Simpson of Lighthouse Temple Ministries in Pittsburg.
  • On February 24, Dr. Beryl New, director of Certified Personnel and Equity for Topeka Public Schools and chair of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission, will speak about “Growing Up Brown.”

You can read more about these events at Pitt State’s blog.

Other Events

Coffeyville Community College also has an exhibit planned for Black History Month. We’ll update this post with more information when details are available.

Did we miss anything? If you know of other Black History Month events planned in Southeast Kansas, please email Joshua McCloud so we can add them to this list!