Visitors stepping inside the new Carl Brewer Community Center, are greeted by artwork that cannot be missed. From the tiled portrait of late Mayor Carl Brewer at the entry, to drawings of Black Wichita heroes, to bold Ghanaian designs and symbols, the center’s art sets a tone that highlights Black Wichita’s past, present, and global connections.
The art direction was led by Ellamonique “Ella” Baccus, who curated a mix of local, national, and international artists to help bring the center’s cultural identity to life. At the heart of the collection is a powerful portrait series by nationally renowned artist Larry “Poncho” Brown. Among his work in the center is a full wall drawing tracing Brewer’s journey from boyhood to his military career and through his years of public leadership. The images capture not just a mayor, but a man shaped by service, family, and community.
RELATED STORY: Carl Brewer Center Opening in McAdams Park
Brewer’s legacy also touches the center in another way. During his time in office, he led two delegations to Africa and traced his own family lineage to Ghana.
That personal connection — and the broader connection many African Americans feel to the continent — inspired Baccus to incorporate Ghanaian influences throughout the building. Bold Ghanaian symbols and print-style designs appear across the center, honoring heritage that extends far beyond U.S. borders.
To deepen that connection, Baccus worked with two Ghanaian artists, whose contributions blend seamlessly with the work of Wichita artists Paris Cunningham and Priscella Brown. The result is a vibrant mix of styles and stories that speak to both local pride and global identity.
Inside the center, the walls celebrate some of Wichita’s most influential Black figures — cultural artists, educators, athletes, and community leaders — whose stories deserve to be told. Their portraits and images remind visitors that McAdams Park has always been shaped by the people who poured into it.
The art isn’t limited to the building’s interior. The exterior, front wall of the old building will be wrapped in an original African-inspired design, transforming the outside of the center into a bold visual statement that matches the energy and history inside.
For Baccus, the goal was never to decorate a building — it was to honor a community.
“You should walk in and know immediately who this place belongs to,” she said. “This art tells our story.”
Kansas Black Educators Hall of Fame Finds Home at Brewer Center
For more than a decade, the Kansas Black Educators Hall of Fame has honored the educators whose commitment, innovation, and leadership shaped Black communities across the state. Now, this powerful tribute has a new permanent home inside the Carl Brewer Community Center — making the center not only a hub for recreation and culture but also a place where history and legacy are preserved.
The Hall of Fame is a project of Art That Touches Your Heart, the nonprofit founded by former Wichita art teacher Janice Thacker. Since its launch, the organization has documented and celebrated the excellence, service and leadership of more than 50 Black educators, many who served far beyond the classroom — as mentors, advocates, administrators, policymakers, and cultural guides.
Placing the Hall of Fame inside the Brewer Community Center gives the project its first true home. At the Brewer Center, the stories and photographs of inductees will be accessible to students, families, and community members who visit the facility for sports, classes, programs, or gatherings.
Black Educators Hall of Fame 2026
The 2026 class of the year’s inductees represent the hall’s 10th class. Votes for the 2026 class are now being accepted online through Jan. 9 at communityvoiceks.com, click on “more.”
The annual induction ceremony — held every February in connection with Black History Month — will take place Feb. 28. The event is free, and the community is invited to attend.