KANSAS CITY, Mo. – City leaders celebrate 103 years of the Negro Leagues during Black History Month.
Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, moderated a panel that included Mayor Quinton Lucas, Jackson County Executive Frank White, and Unified Government/Kansas City CEO, Kansas Mayor Tyrone Garner.
They discussed the significance of Negro leagues and how Black leadership is working to keep that legacy at the forefront of the city.
“I remind people that Negro League baseball hasn’t been played in more than six decades, but its relevance is more significant today than ever,” Kendrick said.
The panel also discussed leadership struggles, the impact of Black leadership on current and future generations, and the importance of continued diverse representation.
“I think it’s so important for us to make sure we’re setting that example for the young people who are watching today that you can do anything,” Mayor Lucas said. “The fact that these leaders are here means you can do almost anything you dream of.”
Lucas said at a time of so much progress for the city from winning the Super Bowl, to the new terminal building and the NFL draft, it’s a great time to honor the history of the league.
“It’s good right now to be able to be a Black leader who is saying yes, I’m going to be at an airport grand opening next week and in a few years I definitely hope to be at the World Cup and say this can really be for all history,” Lucas said.
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