The Kansas City community is invited to attend a community conversation focused on the recently established Mayor’s Commission on Reparations.
The 13-member mayor’s commission began their work in May. They will spend more than a year studying the role that the city played in supporting the enslavement of Black people and how other municipal actions furthered the disparities that are present today in education, wealth, health, homeownership and criminal justice, when compared to non-Black residents. The members will eventually advise on possible amends that the city could make.
“We are honored to convene this important community conversation in partnership with American Public Square," said Kliff Kuehl, President & CEO of Kansas City PBS. "This gathering will support informed dialogue, empathy and understanding while amplifying our voices and the voices of our neighbors to help shape a more equitable future for Kansas City.”
The public event, organized as a collaborative initiative between Kansas City PBS and American Public Square, will take place on Wednesday, June 7, at University Academy. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and all members of the community are encouraged to attend. Questions can be submitted in advance by participants during the event registration process and they will be pre-selected for inclusion in the program.
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to witness dialogue about the reparations process and its implications for the community. Many critical questions will be addressed, including how the program will be implemented, who should be eligible for assistance and who bears the responsibility for funding these initiatives.
One of the featured guests will be Robin Rue Simmons, an esteemed council member from Illinois who played a pivotal role in the passage of the nation's first publicly funded reparations program. Ms. Simmons brings invaluable firsthand knowledge and expertise on the subject, making her insights integral to the discussion.
The event will be broadcast on channel 19.1 as a “Kansas City Week in Review” special on Friday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m. This ensures that those unable to attend the live event can still be part of this crucial conversation and gain insights from leaders, critics and panelists who have extensive experience with reparations programs.
All members of the community are invited to attend this televised community conversation and contribute to the ongoing dialogue around reparations.
Visit americanpublicsquare.org/reparations to reserve your spot.
This event was made possible through the support of William T. Kemper, Commerce Bank, Trustee and the Health Forward Foundation.
