The Black Archives of Mid-America, Inc. - Kansas City

10/15/2026

🎃⚾ A SPOOKTACULAR NIGHT OF BASEBALL, COSTUMES & FAMILY FUN!

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is bringing Halloween excitement to Kansas City's historic 18th & Vine District with HARVEST MOON: Children's Festival!

Bring the kids, put on your favorite costumes, and get ready for an evening of treats, games, and unforgettable family memories!

👻 Featuring the Trick or Treat Dugout!

Enjoy:

Trick-or-treating

Fun games and activities

Parade of Costumes

Halloween excitement for the whole family!

📅 Friday, October 23
⏰ 6:00–8:30 PM
📍 Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108

🎟️ FREE FAMILY EVENT!

Designed for children ages 0–15. Adults must be accompanied by a child.

IMPORTANT: All guests must enter through the museum's 18th Street entrance.

No need to strike out on family fun this Halloween! Gather the kids, grab those costumes, and come celebrate at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum!

Learn more: www.nlbm.com

Tag a parent, grandparent, or friend who needs to bring the kids!

10/13/2026

24.5 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON. SHE NEVER SOLD OR HANDLED DRUGS.

Imagine being a college student, falling in love, and discovering that the person you trusted would change the course of your life forever.

For Kemba Smith Pradia, that nightmare became reality.

Caught in an abusive relationship with a drug dealer, Kemba received a staggering 24.5-year federal prison sentence, despite never selling or handling drugs herself.

After serving 6.5 years, her sentence was commuted by President Bill Clinton in December 2000, following a tireless campaign for justice.

But prison was not the end of her story. It became the beginning of her purpose.

THIS THURSDAY, October 15, Kansas City has an opportunity to experience her extraordinary journey.

Join us for a special screening of Kemba, the powerful 2024 film based on her life, followed by a LIVE Q&A with Kemba Smith Pradia, moderated by Dr. Carmaletta Williams.

This is more than a movie. It's a conversation about justice, relationships, resilience, redemption, and what happens when a woman refuses to let her past define her future.

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Reception: 5:30 PM

Film Screening & Program: 6:00 PM

Central Library | 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, MO

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY: Kemba's book will be available for purchase, and attendees will have an opportunity to meet her and have their copies signed.

You've heard stories about injustice. Now hear directly from someone who lived it—and overcame it.

Reserve your spot today!

https://kclibrary.org/node/49517/register

09/29/2026

THE POWER OF AN IMAGE: More Than a Picture. A Reflection of History.

What happens when a generation finally begins to see itself represented in the images around them?

Come experience “The Power of An Image: Positive Images of African Americans in Media from the 1940s to the 1980s” at the Black Archives of Mid-America.

This unique exhibition takes you through decades of Black representation in American popular culture through original magazines, celebrity memorabilia, toys, sports collectibles, entertainment history and more.

From Harry Belafonte, Lena Horne and Muhammad Ali to Michael Jackson and other cultural icons, these artifacts tell a larger story about visibility, achievement, influence and the power of seeing positive images of Black life.

Some of these pieces will bring back memories. Others may introduce you to stories you've never encountered. All of them invite us to think about the images that helped shape generations.

THE POWER OF AN IMAGE
Positive Images of African Americans in Media from the 1940s to the 1980s

On display throughout October 2026

Black Archives of Mid-America
1722 E. 17th Terrace | Kansas City, MO 64108

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday–Friday | 10 AM–5 PM
Saturday | 10 AM–3 PM

Bring your children. Bring your parents and grandparents. Bring someone who remembers these images—and someone who needs to discover them.

History isn't only something we read. Sometimes, it's something we can see, hold, remember and pass on.

09/24/2026

WE NEED YOU TODAY, KANSAS CITY.

The doors are open, the team is ready, and the Black Archives Community Blood Drive is happening RIGHT NOW.

If you have been thinking about donating blood, today is the day.

Someone in a local hospital may need blood because of an accident. Someone may be undergoing surgery. A cancer patient may need blood during treatment. A mother may experience complications during childbirth. Someone may arrive at the emergency room today never expecting to need a transfusion.

They need blood to be available before the emergency happens.

That's where we come in.

Come to the Black Archives of Mid-America TODAY and help our community maintain the blood supply our hospitals and patients depend on.

TODAY — Thursday, September 24
We're here until 2:00 PM!
Black Archives of Mid-America – Heritage Hall
1722 E. 17th Terrace | Kansas City, MO 64108

You don't have to make this complicated.

Grab a friend. Bring a coworker. Come on your lunch break. Bring your organization.

Appointments are encouraged, and if you're able to donate, come see us before 2 PM.

Schedule Your Donation Now

Sponsor Code: EH9W

And even if you can't donate today, SHARE THIS POST. Someone in your timeline may be exactly the person who can.

Kansas City, we have a few hours to make an impact.

Come give. Come help. Come save a life.

09/22/2026

WE all need to donate blood if we can. I remember when my brother Michael was stabbed, we put out a call for blood. The Blood Center had a line out the door. Help your neighbors and your families. Donate.

One donation can help save a life.

The Black Archives of Mid-America is proud to host an upcoming Community Blood Drive, and we’re inviting our community to show up for a cause that truly matters.

Every day, local hospitals depend on blood donors to help care for patients facing emergencies, surgeries, illnesses and other critical needs. Community Blood Center needs nearly 600 units of blood each day to meet that demand.

That means your decision to give can make a real difference.

BLACK ARCHIVES COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE
Thursday, September 24, 2026
10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Black Archives of Mid-America – Heritage Hall
1722 E. 17th Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64108

Appointments are encouraged.

Schedule your donation here:
https://donate.savealifenow.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/88885

You can also use sponsor code EH9W when scheduling through Community Blood Center.

Come support a great cause, give back to our community, and help provide something that cannot be manufactured or replaced.

Give blood. Give hope. Help save a life.

Please share this post and encourage a friend, coworker, family member or organization to join you on September 24.

09/17/2026

What did it mean to see yourself represented in American media?

From the pages of TIME, LIFE, Rolling Stone, and People to television shows and toys that entered homes across America, images helped shape how generations saw African Americans—and how African Americans saw themselves.

This October, the Black Archives of Mid-America invites you to experience:

THE POWER OF AN IMAGE: Positive Images of African Americans in Media from the 1940s to the 1980s

Explore an interactive exhibition featuring magazines, celebrity toys and memorabilia from the private collection of Dr. Jesse & Mrs. Mary Barnes.

Join us for the Special Opening & Artist Talk:

Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 1–3 PM
📍 Black Archives of Mid-America
1722 E. 17th Terrace | Kansas City, MO

The exhibition continues throughout October 2026 during regular museum hours.

Come see the images. Remember the moments. And explore the power of representation.

09/11/2026

Your family’s story didn’t begin with you. How much of it do you know?

A name in a cemetery record. A forgotten newspaper article. A court document. A census entry. Even information sitting in someone else’s family tree could unlock a part of your history.

On Sunday, November 8, the Black Archives of Mid-America is bringing together genealogy and history experts for our Fall 2026 Genealogy Workshop.

This FREE workshop will introduce you to research methods and resources that can help you dig deeper into your ancestry—including resources you may have never thought to search.

📅 Sunday, November 8
⏰ 12–3 PM
📍 Black Archives of Mid-America – Heritage Hall
1722 E. 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO

Pre-registration is FREE and required.

Register here:
https://forms.gle/SCsDmEqyST2aodiS9

You know your name. Come discover more of the story behind it.

09/03/2026

One donation can help save a life.

The Black Archives of Mid-America is proud to host an upcoming Community Blood Drive, and we’re inviting our community to show up for a cause that truly matters.

Every day, local hospitals depend on blood donors to help care for patients facing emergencies, surgeries, illnesses and other critical needs. Community Blood Center needs nearly 600 units of blood each day to meet that demand.

That means your decision to give can make a real difference.

BLACK ARCHIVES COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE
Thursday, September 24, 2026
10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Black Archives of Mid-America – Heritage Hall
1722 E. 17th Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64108

Appointments are encouraged.

Schedule your donation here:
https://donate.savealifenow.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/88885

You can also use sponsor code EH9W when scheduling through Community Blood Center.

Come support a great cause, give back to our community, and help provide something that cannot be manufactured or replaced.

Give blood. Give hope. Help save a life.

Please share this post and encourage a friend, coworker, family member or organization to join you on September 24.