Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center

Situated between Brush Creek to the north and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the south, Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center is part of the Kansas City Parks Department's Cultural Mall, along with Satchel Paige Memorial Stadium, the Spirit of Freedom Fountain, and a nearby public garden. This two-story facility boasts numerous amenities for the community. The first floor has a large permanent exhibit, a children's area, an auditorium, the Gertrude H. Keith Research Library, and a smaller flexible gallery space with glass display cases. The upper floor has a secondary display gallery, a temperature-controlled exhibit preparation area, and offices for the Center. Over the years, the Center has featured numerous art exhibits, many by local creatives. The building is named for Bruce R. Watkins, a prominent Kansas City funeral director and political activist. In addition to being one of the founding members of the Freedom, Inc. political organization, he held several offices in the Kansas City government. During his time as a public servant, Watkins was the first Black City Council member, served multiple terms as a Jackson County circuit clerk, and ran a popular (though ultimately unsuccessful) mayoral campaign.

Bruce R. Watkins was born in Parkville, MO in 1920. Originally Bruce Riley, he changed his name when his mother married Kansas City undertaker and activist Theron B. Watkins. Bruce served in World War II as a navigator and bombardier with the 99th Pursuit Squadron, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Upon his return, Watkins followed in his father's footsteps and worked at the funeral home for several years. According to Northeast News, the younger Watkins was inspired by his step-father to live a life of community advancement and activism. He is perhaps most well-known for serving as the Co-Chair of the Freedom, Inc. political organization, which registered unprecedented numbers of African-Americans to vote and propelled many candidates into office, including notables such as Emmanuel Cleaver. Watkins was also the first African-American to successfully run for City Council, being elected to his first term in 1963. Three years later, he became the first Black Jackson County Circuit Court Clerk. In 1975, Watkins served a second term on the City Council, before becoming the first Black mayoral candidate in 1978, though his campaign was not successful. Bruce R. Watkins passed away from lung cancer on September 13, 1980, and has been posthumously honored throughout Kansas City. In addition to the Center, Spirit of Freedom Fountain at Cleveland and Brush Creek Boulevard is dedicated to his memory, and a section of U.S. 71 Highway bears his name.

The Cultural Heritage Center itself was founded in 1989, nine years after the passing of its namesake. Though attendance has waxed and waned over the years, the Center has hosted numerous art exhibits and other events featuring all kinds of Kansas City notables. The building boasts two floors with multiple galleries for both permanent and rotating exhibitions, including a recent showing of local art featured in 2022's Bel Air, directed by Kansas City native Morgan Cooper for NBC's Peacock. The building also hosts the Gertrude H. Keith Research Library, where the Center maintains information on historically significant African-Americans and other notable items.

Chandler, Ty. “Bruce R Watkins Center Often Empty.” KCUR 89.3 - NPR in Kansas City. KCUR, February 7, 2007. https://www.kcur.org/2007-02-05/bruce-r-watkins-center-often-empty. 

“Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center: KC Parks.” Kansas City Parks. Accessed January 3, 2023. https://kcparks.org/places/brw-center/. 

Robinson, Rachel. “‘So Fresh," Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center.” KC STUDIO, June 29, 2022. https://kcstudio.org/so-fresh-bruce-r-watkins-cultural-heritage-center/.