18th & Vine

Interview with boxing coach Arrington Bubble Klice. Klice discusses his family and background in Arkansas, early childhood in St. Louis, attending school in Kansas City, his involvement in sports including basketball and swimming, his memories of World War I and life during the Depression, working various jobs at St. Regis Hotel, recalls the nightlife and culture in the 18th and Vine neighborhood, and describes his start in boxing in California. He recalls training alongside champion boxers including Jack Johnson, shares his thoughts about other high profile boxers and athletes he coached as well as thoughts about the business and ethics of boxing, and discusses his time in the service during World War II.

Interview with educator Daisy Hoskins Young about growing up near Waldron, Missouri, and later in Parkville, Missouri. She recalls daily life in Parkville, her family's history dating back to enslavement, and her family's experience with Parkville's Banneker School and Park College. She also discusses her high school education in Kansas City, obtaining bachelors and masters degrees, and her memories of the 18th and Vine neighborhood. Young also describes her work with the Platte County Historical Society and Banneker School Foundation, and the area's Black history.

Interview with businessman and former city councilman G. Lawrence Blankinship. Blankinship discusses his childhood in Louisiana, his family's work in the logging industry, moving to Kansas City as a teenager, his work in management at Crown Drug stores, and later starting his Blankinship Distributing, a supplier of Black beauty products. He also discusses his local community and political work, including serving on Kansas City's city council, his involvement with Freedom, Inc., and his relationships with other local leaders.

Interview with educator and community leader Dr. Jeremiah Cameron. Cameron discusses his early life, attending school with Charlie Parker and other notable classmates, his experience as a student and educator at Lincoln High School, earning his bachelors degree at Indiana University and graduate degrees at the University of Chicago and Michigan State University, serving in the Air Force, and experiences of racism and segregation in those settings. He also shares opinions on the state of Kansas City schools and colleges, past and present, Black arts and literature, and discusses his experience as the public relations director of the local NAACP.

Interview with former Penn School teacher Mai Gray. She recalls her early life and education in Tennessee, attending college and meeting her husband in Atlanta, Georgia, and moving to Kansas City with him as he became pastor of Centennial Methodist Church. She discusses his work there in the 1960s and '70s, her teaching career which began at Penn School, and the Steptoe community surrounding Penn. 

Interview with former Jackson County legislator and community leader Mamie Hughes. Hughes recalls her family history, her upbringing in Florida, and her move to Kansas City in 1949. She also discusses the founding of Freedom, Inc., the culture and preservation of the 18th and Vine neighborhood and the Mutual Musicians Foundation, being a founder of the women's professional organization Central Exchange, and her memories of Dr. Samuel Rodgers.

Interview with former Steptoe resident Mary Stone. Stone shares memories of growing up in the Steptoe area of Westport, attending Penn School and St. Luke's AME Church, her friends and neighbors, and recreation opportunities in other parts of the city. She also discusses her parents' jobs, including her mother's work supervising staff at the Riviera Apartments, changes in Westport due to demographic shifts and St. Luke's Hospital expansion projects, and holding Westport reunions with friends and former neighbors at Loose Park. 

Interview with Missouri state representative candidate Mickle D. Hughes. Hughes discusses his early life and family background, violence faced by Black people moving into areas north of 27th Street, attending the integrated De La Salle High School, then attending Central Missouri State and Lincoln University before enlisting in the air force to avoid the Vietnam draft. He also discusses racism in higher education, being stationed in Mississippi and Thailand and encountering racism in each, developing an interest in leadership and community service while in Thailand and after his return to the United States, and working as an aide to Missouri State Representative Phillip Curls. He also shares his thoughts about voter cynicism, his hopes for the community engagement and education, housing policy, crime, employment, and other issues.

Interview with Muriel Boyd about her life in Kansas City, her family history, being shielded from the knowledge of segregation by her parents, and her Cherokee ancestor Elizabeth Mantooth Starks. She also discusses her memories of the 18th and Vine area, her memories of the protests following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., her history with the Paseo Baptist Church, and memories of Black political leaders including Bruce R. Watkins.

Interview with Paseo Baptist Church pastor Charles J. Briscoe. Briscoe discusses his childhood, his experience at R. T. Coles Vocational High School, his theological education and early experiences as a pastor, and returning to Kansas City and eventually the Paseo Baptist Church. He also discusses his views on race relations and the Black community in Kansas City, the role of the church in community building and politics, the history of Paseo Baptist, its mission work, and his views of other religions.