#BlackHistoryMonth in Kansas

The Underground Railroad on the Western Frontier

Escapes From Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa and the Territories of Kansas, Nebraska and the Indian Nations, 1840-1865

by Morgans, James Patrick

Book - 2010

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early to mid-19th century, and used by...Show more The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early to mid-19th century, and used by enslaved African-Americans to escape into free states and Canada. The scheme was assisted by abolitionists and others sympathetic to the cause of the escapees. Show less

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John Brown

His Fight for Freedom

by Hendrix, John

Book - 2009

John H. Brown was an American abolitionist leader. Brown felt that speeches, sermons, petitions, and moral persuasion were ineffective in the cause for ab...Show more John H. Brown was an American abolitionist leader. Brown felt that speeches, sermons, petitions, and moral persuasion were ineffective in the cause for abolishing slavery in the United States. An intensely religious man, Brown believed he was raised up by God to strike the death blow to American slavery. Show less

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The Buffalo Soldiers

by Flanagan, Alice K.

Book - 2005

Buffalo soldiers were African American soldiers who mainly served on the Western frontier following the American Civil War. In 1866, six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments were created after Congress passed the Army Organization Act. Buffalo soldiers were African American soldiers who mainly served on the Western frontier following the American Civil War. In 1866, six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments were created after Congress passed the Army Organization Act. Show less

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Cathy Williams

From Slave to Female Buffalo Soldier

by Tucker, Phillip Thomas

Book - 2002

Cathay Williams was an African-American soldier who enlisted in the United States Army under the pseudonym William Cathay. She was the first Black woman t...Show more Cathay Williams was an African-American soldier who enlisted in the United States Army under the pseudonym William Cathay. She was the first Black woman to enlist, and the only documented woman to serve in the United States Army posing as a man during the American Indian Wars. Show less

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Journey to A Promised Land

A Story of the Exodusters

by Lassieur, Allison

Book - 2019

Exodusters was a name given to African Americans who migrated from states along the Mississippi River to Kansas in the late nineteenth century, as part of...Show more Exodusters was a name given to African Americans who migrated from states along the Mississippi River to Kansas in the late nineteenth century, as part of the Exoduster Movement or Exodus of 1879. It was the first general migration of black people following the Civil War. Show less

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Follow Me Down to Nicodemus Town

Based on the History of the African American Pioneer Settlement

by LaFaye, A.

Book - 2019

Nicodemus the only remaining western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following the American Civil War Nicodemus the only remaining western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following the American Civil War Show less

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No Small Potatoes

Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas

by Bolden, Tonya

Book - 2018

Junius George Groves was an American farmer and entrepreneur remembered as one of the wealthiest black Americans of the nineteenth and early twentieth cen...Show more Junius George Groves was an American farmer and entrepreneur remembered as one of the wealthiest black Americans of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Known as the "Potato King of the World" by 1902, Groves optimized potato growth methods, out-producing anyone else in the world to that point. Show less

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Gordon Parks

No Excuses

by Parr, Ann

Book - 2006

Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks born in Fort Scott was an American photographer, musician, writer and film director, who became prominent in U.S. do...Show more Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks born in Fort Scott was an American photographer, musician, writer and film director, who became prominent in U.S. documentary photojournalism in the 1940s through 1970s—particularly in issues of civil rights, poverty and African-Americans—and in glamour photography. Show less

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Brown V. Board of Education of Topeka

Challenging School Segregation in the Supreme Court

by Miller, Jake

Book - 2004

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark 1954 Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark 1954 Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. Show less

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Langston Hughes

by Hughes, Langston

Book - 2006

At age six, Langston Hughes' mother tried to enroll him in the Harrison Street School near their home in Topeka. She was told that all African American ch...Show more At age six, Langston Hughes' mother tried to enroll him in the Harrison Street School near their home in Topeka. She was told that all African American children attended Washington School, considerably farther away. Langston’s mother argued for his enrollment at Harrison, and he was eventually admitted. When Hughes’ mother moved to Kansas City for work, she left him in the care of his elderly maternal grandmother in Lawrence. She wrapped young Langston in a shawl that had belonged to her first husband, Lewis Sheridan Leary, who had been killed helping John Brown in the raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Although he lived in several places throughout the Midwest during his youth, Hughes always considered Kansas home. He once told a Lawrence audience, “I sort of claim to be a Kansan because my whole childhood was spent here in Lawrence and Topeka, and sometimes in Kansas City.” Show less

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The Savoy 10-inch LP Collection

by Parker, Charlie

Music CD - 2020

Charlie Parker Jr. was born in Kansas City, Kansas, at 852 Freeman Avenue Charlie Parker Jr. was born in Kansas City, Kansas, at 852 Freeman Avenue Show less

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George Washington Carver

by Rau, Dana Meachen

Book - 2014

Around the age of 13 George moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, attending school while supporting himself doing laundry at a local hotel. While living in Olathe,...Show more Around the age of 13 George moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, attending school while supporting himself doing laundry at a local hotel. While living in Olathe, Carver became acquainted with ex-slaves Ben and Lucy Seymour. There he attended school, worked in a local barbershop, and helped Lucy with her laundry business. He eventually moved to Minneapolis, Kansas, with the Seymours in the summer of 1880 and finished high school. Carver was accepted into Highland Presbyterian College in northeastern Kansas. However, he was rejected upon his arrival at the school when officials discovered he was African American. Show less

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