Beacon Hill

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 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.