Sorry, this event is CANCELLED

Sorry, this event is CANCELLED.

People, Places and Things to Explore Your History

BRW Live Music Fridays

November 1, 2024

December 13, 2024

Enjoy live music, art, libations and more!

JOE MACKLIN & FRIENDS

An award-winning songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, and producer,

Joe Macklin has worked with many of the mainstream artists of our time.

He will bring his unique brand of music, and a few of his musical friends

to the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center for a memorable and

fun-filled evening of rhythm and song.

100th Anniversary of the Center/Museum’s namesake, Bruce R. Watkins.

Featuring nationally acclaimed artist.

At the Historic GEM Theater - 18th & Vine District

Purchase tickets at Eventbrite.com

Reserved Seating

Listen

Join-In

Enjoy Libations, Art and More!

James D. Tindall Sr. is Pastor Emeritus of the Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ in Midtown, Kansas City, Missouri. He is the founder and convener of the Urban Summit, an organization that brings together elected officials, community residents and others interested in advocacy to address issues of Jackson County Legislator (re-elected to two terms). Rev. Tindall is a longtime member of Freedom, Inc. He serves as a Trustee with the St. Paul School of Theology.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see and hear , firsthand, from this dedicated community and political activist, who has been a respected spiritual leader, mentor, and grassroots advocate for the Kansas City community for more than 50 years.

Meet & Greet reception following the program.

Free to the public.

Please RSVP - call (816) 513-0700

Join us to pay tribute to an outstanding leader and visionary for the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & State Museum.

The Tribute to Wilhelmina L. Stewart will be on Saturday, April 27, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm.

No costs to attend.

Join us for “A Conversation with the Elders”. Calvin Neal has been involved with Kansas City’s Ad-Hoc Group Against Crime since 1984. Over the years, he has marched with group member to bring healing and justice to the Kansas City Metropolitan communities. He is known for his generosity and willingness to counsel and help those impacted by violence and/or homicide.

Based on the part of the title of the play “Four Women” a song written by Nina Simone about four different African American women with varying tones of skin ranging from light to dark and how each one represents an African American stereotype in society is the framework for the play.

Limited Seating - make your reservation

RSVP at (816) 513-0700 or BruceRWatkinsCHC@kcmo.org

The 11th Annual Buy Black Saturday supports Black owned businesses.

10:00 am - 3:00 pm Free to the public

• Local Vendors * Live Entertainment

• * Give Aways * Family Friendly Event

Join us for insightful and up-front conversations with long-time community activists/advocates as they share their perspectives on life, living and “changing the game” so everyone can “play to win”.

On Saturday, November 18, 2023, Melba Curls, former State and City Elected Official and Community Advocate will be our guest.

1:30 pm- 3:30 pm

Kansas City Alexander/Madison Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers 9th and 10th Calvary salutes the Buffalo Soldiers on Saturday, November 11, 2023. 4:00 p.m.

Free Admission

We welcome all branches of Service. We welcome all veterans and their families.

There will be a Buffalo Soldiers Exhibit, a Flag Ceremony and Taps.

Join us for insightful and up-front conversations with long-time community activists/advocates as they share their perspectives on life, living and “changing the game” so everyone can “play to win.”

Saturday, October 14, Archie Welch, Political Advisor, Community Organizer and Entrupreneur.

Celebrate with us at our fund-raising gala, "An Evening with Lonnie McFadden”. Lonnie McFadden is an award winning, world renown entertainer with an intricate style that is presented with joy, raw emotion, excitement, and an unmistakable, smooth voice.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 13, 2023, to be at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & Museum, 6-9 PM.

On that day, the Spirit of Freedom Fountain will be 42 years old.  In December, The Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & Museum will be 34 years old. 

Our fundraiser will honor these two significant milestones.  Join us for an evening to remember!

Your sponsorship will help us continue to serve our community with outstanding programs, activities, and exhibits, to commemorate and interpret the African-American diaspora particularly in the State of Missouri, the City of Kansas City, MO, and its surrounding areas through fostering educational programs regarding the past, present and contemporary contributions of African-Americans who served to shape the city and state’s history and culture

Contact Gayle Hill-Suber for sponsorship information at geehill2518@gmail.com

Reserve a seat on Eventbrite -  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-lonnie-mcfadden-registration-686610098287?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us for insightful and up-front conversations with long-time community activists/advocates as they share their perspectives on life, living, and “changing the game” so everyone can “play to win”.

Saturday, September 9, 2023 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Charlotte “Mama C” O’Neal Poet, Visual Artist, Musician, Peace Builder and Lifelong Teacher.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see and hear firsthand from a gifted artist and “true revolutionary” who fervently believes in the power of music and art to heal, bring joy, and elevate lives.

Join us for insightful and up-front conversations with long-time Kansas City community activists/advocates as they share their perspectives on life, living and “changing the game” so everyone can “play to win”.

Saturday, August 19, 2023 - Joanne Collins Political Adviser and Community Volunteer

Respected comminity leader, Joanne Collins, sits down with Executive Director, Emiel Cleaver, to talk about her years of service as the first African American woman elected to serve on the KCMO City Council- a position she held for 17 years until retiring in 1991. She will also speak candidly about her experiences in banking, insurance, finance, politics and beyond.

Join us for insightful and up-front conversations with long-time Kansas City community activists/advocates as they share their perspectives on life and “changing the game” so everyone can “play to win”.

Saturday, July 29, 2023 Jim “Grand-Dad” Nunnelly Mentor, Healthcare and Youth Advocate

Community advocate, Jim Nunnelly, sits down with Executive Director, Emiel Cleaver, to share why he is so passionate about healthcare advocacy and youth outreach and mentoring.

A documentary by noted film maker and photogrpher, Diallo J. French, celebrating Kansas City’s African American music culture and its importance to American music from jazz to hop hop, rock-n-roll and soul music genres. The film spotlights area artists such as Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Bobby Watson, Oleta Adams, Janelle Monae and Tech N9ne, who hav had global influence throughout music history.

The Screening of "A Conversation In Dance" and A 2-Step Dance Showcase at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & Museum Friday February 24th at 5:30pm

The documentary focuses on the Kansas City “ 2-Step”, a variation of the jitterbug ballroom dance of the 1940’s that is unique to Kansas City. The film chronicles the spirited quest of 25 couples to win the $10,000.00 BIG STEP-OFF dance contest.

Friday, Februay 14, 2023 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & Museum 3700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64130

Free Admittance

Dress up and come out to our holiday fundraiser. We are raising money for educational programs and exhibits for teach our youth and our community.

Dress up for this fundraiser to enjoy…

* Live Entertainment

• Black Santa Exhibit

• Good Music

• Good Food

• Good Fun

• Drinks & More

Get your tickets early on Eventbrite by November 30, 2022

Join Missouri State Parks, Kansas City Parks & Recreation and the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & Museum for a FREE event to celebrate this historic ride.

Free bike helmets for kids

Kid’s activities

Music

Replica bicycle and Buffalo Soldier’s Uniform

Exhibits of the route and the riders

Programs and presenters

Food trucks

Please join us at our Closing Reception of our fundraiser, “Black Women Bring Good Things to Life” on Saturday, August 27, 2022 from noon to 6PM.

The artwork of George Mayfield is varied and amazing.

Entertainment will be from 2:00pm -4:00pm.

Mr. Mayfield donates 30% of his sales to support the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & Museum as we continue to educate and inspire our community.

February 18, 2021 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Join us for a free virtual event, Eight Days in April: Race, Rebellion, and Reconciliation on February 18 from 6:00-7:30pm featuring a panel discussion about the eight days surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968 and how the impact of those days continues to shape Kansas City today.

Please register in advance for this Zoom event at go.umkc.edu/eight-days.  If you have any questions about registration, please contact Dr. Anthony LaBat at labata@umkc.edu or (816) 235-1532 between the hours of 9:00am - 4:30pm.

This event is held in conjunction with the exhibit, Eight Days in April: The Story of the 1968 Uprising in Kansas City which draws upon historical materials from UMKC's LaBudde Special Collections and Marr Sound Archives. The exhibit will be available to view at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center and Museum when it is safe to open to the public and is also available as a digital exhibit. The digital exhibit includes an opportunity for community members to participate in a survey about renaming the 1968 Riot Collection. Our esteemed panelists are as follows: Dia Wall (Moderator) Anchor / Reporter, KSHB; Jason Cooley, Community Initiative Officer for the Chief of Police, Kansas City, Police Department; Dr. Delia Gillis, Professor of History and Africana Studies Program Coordinator, University of Central Missouri; Don Maxwell, Revitalize Prospect; Glenn Rice, Journalist, Kansas City Star, Dr. Susan Wilson, Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion, UMKC.

Visit the Eight Days in April Virtual Exhibit:

https://library.umkc.edu/exhibits/uprising