Henry Perry is the undisputed father of Kansas City’s barbecue tradition, with both Arthur Bryant’s and Gates Bar-B-Q tracing their roots to the city’s original Barbecue King. In 2020, Mayor Quinton Lucas designated July 3 as Henry Perry Day, celebrating Perry’s legacy and his generosity in hosting a free public barbecue on that date in 1920 at his east-side restaurant.

Tapping new resources and research tools, local historian Michael Sweeney has produced the first new historical assessment of this iconic figure in 20 years. He discusses his findings, including new insights into Perry’s mentorship of Black men and women in the barbecue business, his unique place among his business competitors, and many other aspects of his life and career. Sweeney lends fresh perspective about the role of a legend who once walked – and smoked meats – among us.

Sweeney is a writer, researcher, and historian who has served as archivist for the American Jazz Museum and the Black Archives of Mid-America. He coordinated Missouri’s statewide Bicentennial celebration in 2021.