Entrepreneur, social activist, and political leader Bruce R. Watkins left an indelible mark on Kansas City, championing civil rights issues and fighting against discrimination. His legacy continues to grow through the work of the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center and State Museum.

The center’s executive director, Emiel Cleaver, discusses Watkins’ life and legacy, from his service during WWII with the legendary Tuskegee Airmen to his rise in local politics. Watkins served as chairman of the Jackson County Democratic Committee, was elected one of the first two Black city councilmen alongside Earl Thomas in 1963, and was Kansas City’s first Black mayoral candidate. He also co-founded the Black political organization Freedom, Inc., which has cultivated several generations of Black leaders.

Cleaver has a background in video production, documenting the African American experience in Kansas City for more than 20 years. He’s produced documentaries on Bruce R. Watkins, the historic First Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas, as well as a critically acclaimed film on Freedom, Inc.

This program is presented as a celebration of Black History Month and in support of the 5th-floor Central Library exhibition, Detoured: The Making of Bruce R. Watkins Drive.