Embracing Blackness: A Healthy Conversation was the theme for the 10th Annual Luncheon sponsored by the Black Archives of Mid-America. The event was held Sat.., Feb. 15 at the UMKC Swinney Athletic Center.
The event included an introduction of the Black Archives Youth Coalition Network (BAYCON) a service organization composed of high school and college students whose programming includes community educational workshops, voter registration drives, and other community activism. Thanks to donations, each BAYCON youth graduate received a $1000 scholarship.
The keynote speaker was Dr. KiKi Baker Barnes, commissioner of the HBCU Athletic Conference, and the first African-American woman to hold this role in the conference and in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Joanne Collins received the Horace M. Peterson III Legacy Award and Shawn Edwards served as master of ceremonies.
Political leader and former KCMO City Councilmember Joanne Collins received the Horace M. Peterson III Legacy Award. 
The keynote speaker was Dr. KiKi Baker Barnes, commissioner of the HBCU Athletic Conference. 
Members of the Kansas City Chiefs Red Coaters, the community service arm of the Chiefs, were guests at the luncheon. 
Shawn Edwards served as Master of Ceremonies. 