The Community Voice

2026 Summer Symposium for Arts Integration
2026-07-22 08:15 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Zhou B Art Center Kansas City, 1801 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64127, United States
Join us in 2026 for hands-on workshops and cool talks all about mixing arts into learning!

Join us for an inspiring day exploring the power of the arts in engaging students, strengthening comprehension, and bringing content areas to life.
The KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education, comprised of the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College, Shawnee Mission School District, and Liberty Public Schools, provides free arts integration professional development and support for teachers. The arts integration topics presented at the symposium show teachers how to connect an art form with curriculum to enhance student engagement and deepen understanding.

2026 Presenters Include:
Garrett Brown | “The Power of Pictures: Reading Portraits as Biographies”
Harlan Brownlee | “Moving Meaning: Using Creative Movement and Visual Literacy to Deepen Learning”
Xinyue Zhang and Khalia Davis Philp | “Activating Story Time Through Elements of Drama” and “Tools for Creative and Critically Engaged Literacy Curriculum”

Racial Equity Roundtable: Power, Prevention, and Systems Change
2026-07-22 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | United Community Services of Johnson County, 9001 W 110th Street, Overland Park, KS, 66210, United States
Explore how power shapes policy, institutions, and narratives & why building power is key to racial equity & community wellbeing.

Grounded in prevention science and community centered practice, this interactive training explores how leaders and practitioners can move beyond reacting to crises and instead design upstream strategies that transform systems at their roots.
Participants will examine how power operates across policies, institutions, and narratives and how intentional power building is essential to advancing racial equity and long term community wellbeing.Through reflection, discussion, and applied exercises, this session connects healing centered leadership, asset based framing, and structural analysis into a cohesive framework for action. Participants will leave with practical strategies for shifting from crisis response to sustainable, systems level prevention. Led by Brandee Collins

dadsTALK
2026-07-24 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Wyandotte High School, 2501 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS, 66102, United States
dadsTALK: Real men. Real talk. Real fatherhood—free resources, jobs, health, and support for dads ready to level up and lead their families

Voices of Justice Conference
2026-07-24 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Kansas City Kansas Community College-Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center, 6565 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS, 66102, United States
Get ready to dive into real talks and bold ideas shaking up the fight for justice.

Come and experience a powerful keynote speech from Judge Candance Alcaraz along with powerful panelist from our community and beyond. Take the opportunity to be informed about local advocates in our judicial systems and non-for-profit organization as well as for-profit businesses across the metro. You don’t wont to miss this event!

Land of Opportunity Summit
2026-07-25 11:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Union Station Kansas City, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
The Land of Opportunity Summit is a convening anchored by the premiere screening of the latest episodes from the Land of Opportunity documentary series, which explores how the built environment shapes opportunity, health, and our collective sense of belonging.
Bringing together community leaders, designers, storytellers, policymakers, and residents, the Summit creates space to reflect on the stories presented on screen and engage in deeper dialogue around the future of our cities.
Through a series of placemaker spotlights, film, and conversations, the convening explores how neighborhoods can be designed to support connection and long term well-being.

FREE ICE CREAM SOCIAL - Celebrating Wichita Library 150th Anniversary
2026-07-25 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | MO
Friends of the Wichita Public Library Hosting Ice Cream Socials this Summer

The Friends of the Wichita Public Library (FWPL) volunteers are celebrating the Wichita Library’s 150th anniversary this summer with seven free events.

Members of the organization will be handing out free ice cream sandwiches at local library branches (while supplies last). Bring a friend, say hello, and enjoy a sweet treat during your next library visit.

All events will be held from 1 – 2:30 p.m., or until the ice cream runs out!

Ice cream sandwiches provided by Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Media support provided by KMUW 89.1.

Film Screening: Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask
2026-07-25 13:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | The Museum of Kansas City, 3218 Gladstone Boulevard, Kansas City, MO, 64123, United States
We will see you in the theater!

Saturday, July 25
Film Screening: Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask
1:00 to 3:30pm
Free program | RSVP Required

Join us at The Museum of Kansas City for a screening of Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask, a compelling documentary exploring the life, legacy, and enduring influence of one of America’s most celebrated poets.

Through historical insights, literary analysis, and reflections from contemporary scholars and artists, the film reveals how Dunbar navigated the complexities of race, artistry, and identity at the turn of the twentieth century. Following the screening, participants will engage in a facilitated discussion about Dunbar’s work and its continued relevance today.

This program is presented in conjunction with The Museum of Kansas City’s new exhibition, Dunbar: Kansas City’s First Black Suburb.

40 and Up Day Party
2026-07-25 15:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | LOVE & CO., 1720 East Douglas Avenue, Wichita, KS, 67214, United States
Get ready to vibe, dance, and chill with the coolest crowd at the 40 and Up Day Party!

Grab Your Tickets For The 40 and Up Day Party!
Come join us for an awesome day party designed just for those 40 and up. It’s the perfect vibe to chill, dance, and connect with great people who know how to have a blast in 70’s attire. No fuss, just good tunes, good vibes, and a great time waiting for you. Don’t miss out on the fun R&B, Funk, and Hip-Hip mixed with a litttle Titos, Jose, or Crown—see you there!

The Reset: A Men’s Mental Health Experience
2026-07-25 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Aloft by Marriott Wichita, 3642 Oliver, Wichita, KS, 67220, United States
The Reset is an elevated men’s mental health experience with panel discussion, dinner, networking, and cigar social on July 25 2025

The Reset: A Men’s Mental Health Experience is an elevated evening centered around honest conversation, connection, and community. Hosted by Brain Storm Therapy, this experience was created to provide a safe and impactful space for men to openly discuss mental health, personal growth, relationships, pressure, healing, and the realities many face in silence.
Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated panel discussion featuring powerful voices and real stories, followed by a relaxed cigar social and networking experience designed to encourage meaningful conversation and authentic connection.
This is more than an event — it’s a movement toward breaking stigmas, building stronger communities, and reminding men they do not have to navigate life alone.
What to Expect:
• Powerful panel discussion and audience conversation
• Networking with professionals and community members
• Elevated social atmosphere
• Cigar social following the discussion
• Dinner included with ticket purchase
• A space focused on support, awareness, and real change
Event Details
Date: July 25, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Cigar Social Immediately Following
Cash bar and cigars available for purchase.
Dress Code: Elevated Casual / Business Casual Recommended
Strong Minds. Stronger Men. Stronger Community.

Queens of Justice Gala
2026-07-25 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Kansas City Kansas Community College-Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center, 6565 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS, 66102, United States
Join us for a night celebrating powerful voices and real stories making a difference in justice.

Join Us for the Queens of Justice Gala!
Get ready for an inspiring evening filled with powerful voices, about justice and change. This in-person event is to celebrate the authors of in the Voices of Women Unleashed In Justice anothology. Meet these courageous authors who share their injustice and the power to be resilient. Don’t miss out on this powerful event that highlights justice beyond words and the change from victim to victor.

MASK ON: BLACK MASQUERADE BALL
2026-07-25 20:00 - 23:59 (America/Chicago) | Distrkct, 1328 Agnes Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64127, United States
Celebrate Ryon’e’s 30th Birthday with a luxurious Black Masquerade ball.

Step into an unforgettable evening of elegance, mystery, and celebration as we celebrate Ryon’e’s 30th Birthday with a luxurious Black Masquerade Ball. Guests are invited to dress in their finest all-black formal attire paired with a masquerade mask for a night filled with great music, elevated vibes, dancing, cocktails, and unforgettable memories.

This isn’t just a birthday party — it’s a milestone celebration bringing together friends, family, creators, entrepreneurs, and tastemakers for one iconic night. Expect a classy atmosphere, stylish photo opportunities, high energy, and an experience designed to celebrate life, growth, and entering a new decade in style.

Dress Code: Formal Attire required; Masquerade Masks optional
21+ Event
Come ready to celebrate, connect, and make memories.

30 looks good already.

Preserves: A Kansas Story (A Staged Reading)
2026-07-26 14:30 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Friends University Riney Fine Arts Center, 2100 W University Ave, Wichita, CA, 67213, United States
Join us for Preserves, a staged reading exploring love, legacy, and the untold stories of Kansas's Black history.

Preserves: A Kansas Story
A staged reading of an original screenplay
Come join us in person for an intimate and engaging experience as we bring to life “Preserves: A Kansas Story.” This original screenplay takes you on a heartfelt journey through the heartland, filled with rich characters and heartfelt moments. Don’t miss this unique chance to see the story unfold right before your eyes!
Preserves is an independent feature film directed by Micah Ariel Watson, writer of Canaan. The film follows a dancer and an ex-offender whose romance unearths a century-old secret buried in their small town, echoing places like Nicodemus, KS. At its heart, Preserves is a love story set against the quilted backdrop of Kansas’s rich African American history, woven with the legacies of the Exoduster Movement, the rise of the Pentecostal movement, and Micah’s own family’s story. This film will honor the rich midwestern land that Micah’s family has called home for more than a century.
We are proud to partner with The Kansas African American Museum for a staged reading of the Preserves script. This gathering invites the community to encounter Kansas history in a living, intimate way, and to step into the early life of a film we believe will become one of the state’s cultural gems. The evening will include a talkback with the filmmaker, as well as a screening of a proof-of-concept short filmed in Cottonwood Falls, KS.
In Preserves, the protagonist discovers the power of archives and communal memory. It feels only right, then, that the Preserves team and TKAAM come together to remind Kansas of the beauty and depth of its own history.

R-Rules Summer Youth Workshop
2026-07-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-03 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Urban League, 2418 E 9th, Wichita, KS, 67214
an 8-week interactive program designed specifically for incoming 6th–8th grade middle school students.

This activity-based program is designed to help students build confidence, communication skills, leadership abilities, goal-setting habits, financial literacy awareness, and healthy decision-making skills in a fun, engaging, and supportive environment.

Students will learn:• Communication & Vocabulary Skills• Goal Setting & Time Management• Leadership & Teamwork• Financial Literacy• Healthy Relationships & Decision-Making• Confidence, Identity & Purpose

Program Details

Cost: FREELunch: FREE Lunch Provided DailySpecial Feature: Graduation Celebration at the conclusion of the program

The workshop will also feature special guest speakers focused on communication, college readiness, and financial literacy.

This program is designed to prepare students for success both inside and outside the classroom through hands-on activities, group discussion, teamwork, and real-world application.

Space is limited, so register today by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer or contact:

Storytime in the Park
2026-07-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-08-04 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Naftzger Park, 601 East Douglas Avenue, Wichita, KS, 67202, United States
Read along with stories on the big screen at Naftzger Park and enjoy music, snacks, free books and an activity for the kids. Storytime in the Park is a partnership between Storytime Village and Wichita Park & Recreation.

"The Story of How K-State Integrated the Big 12 Conference" by Ken Neaderhiser
2026-07-29 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | The Kansas African American Museum, 601 N Water St, Wichita, KS, 67203, United States
In the fall of 1949, K-State football players Harold Robinson and Hoyt Givens broke the Big 7 (now Big 12) Conference’s color barrier, competing at and against segregated schools in direct defiance of conference norms. Their courage marked one of the earliest integrations in collegiate athletics.
Led by the university president Milton Eisenhower, who championed the integration of all campus facilities. While it took three years and ten athletes across five sports before another school followed, Kansas State had already set a powerful precedent.
Today, this moment stands as one of the greatest accomplishments in school history. A testament to bold leadership and coming together for a shared purpose in pursuit of equality.
Join us to hear firsthand account from Ken about this pivotal milestone both in collegiate athletics and civil rights history.

$3 admission, free to members and open to the public

Coffee and pastries provided

Validated parking

Wheelchair accessible

𝗧𝗵𝗲 148𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴
2026-07-30 10:00 - 22:00, 2026-07-31 10:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-01 10:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | MO
Excitement is building for the 148th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration

A memorable weekend of reconnecting with family and friends, celebrating our rich heritage, enjoying delicious food, great music, inspiring fellowship, and entertainment for all ages.

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝟮𝟱𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮

𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘂𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Exciting plans are coming together, and there’s so much ahead!

Follow this page and visit our website for the official Homecoming agenda, special announcements, and event details:

www.nicodemushomecoming.org

Come experience one of Kansas’s oldest and most treasured Emancipation celebrations—a tradition bringing generations together for nearly 150 years.

WOO HOO! We can’t wait to welcome you home to Nicodemus!

Left on Read: The Club™
2026-07-30 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Left on Read, 612 East Douglas Avenue, #| Suite 200, Wichita, KS, 67202, United States
A monthly book club hosted by Wichita’s independent Black-owned bookstore.

Inaugural Celebration for Bishop Herman Hicks
2026-07-31 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | Wichita Marriott, 9100 E Corporate Hills Dr, 9100 E Corporate Hills Dr, Wichita, KS, 67207, United States
Join us for a historic and joyous occasion as we celebrate the official inaugural service of Bishop Herman Hicks as Bishop of the Kansas Southwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ.

This special celebration will take place on July 31st in Wichita, Kansas, bringing together leaders, members, and the community for a powerful time of worship and recognition.We are honored to welcome our distinguished guest speaker, Bishop Lemuel Thuston of Kansas City, Kansas, who serves as Chairman of the General Assembly for the International Church of God in Christ.

Tickets are now available. Secure your place today:https://bishophermanhicks.brushfire.com/Come be a part of this meaningful and uplifting celebration.

The Eternal Flame Session: Where Soul Meets The Sapphire Flame
2026-07-31 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | Black Charlie’s Social Bar 6151 Blue Ridge Blvd, 6151 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Kansas City, MO, 64133, United States
Undefeated Pharaoh presents Blue Fire. Deep Soul. Eternal Vibes an intimate night of live music, and soul, hosted by Rahsheda Jereè

Undefeated Pharaoh Presents:

The Eternal Flame Session

Where Soul Meets the Sapphire Flame

An elevated evening of live music, culture, and sophistication.

On the final night of July, immerse yourself in an exclusive R&B experience where timeless soul, captivating performances, and refined nightlife converge beneath a world of sapphire flames and celestial elegance.

Curated for lovers of authentic artistry and elevated entertainment, The Eternal Flame Session delivers a carefully crafted atmosphere inspired by Egyptian royalty, midnight skies, and the enduring power of music.

Expect exceptional live performances, premium vibes, and a room filled with beautiful people, unforgettable energy, and soulful expression.

Event Details

📅 Thursday, July 31st
📍 Black Charlie’s Bar
6151 Blue Ridge Blvd
Raytown, MO 64133

🕗 Doors Open: 8:00 PM
🎤 Show Begins: 9:00 PM

Hosted By

Rasheda Jereè
Dehe Miah

Music By

DJ YD

Featured Performances

RAEV
Travis Charming
Madaam
Champ Gee
Pre-Cha

Attire

✨ Grown & Sexy
Fashion-forward attire encouraged. This event is curated for mature guests who appreciate style, confidence, and class.

Additional Information

Security Enforced

Blue Fire. Deep Soul. Eternal Vibes.

Join us for a night where music burns brighter, the energy feels richer, and every moment becomes part of an unforgettable legacy.

SHADES OF GRAY
2026-07-31 20:00 - 2026-08-01 01:00 (America/Chicago) | Pete’s Place Restaurant & Lounge, 12044 Blue Ridge Extension, Grandview, MO, 64030, United States
Kc Silverfox Steppers and The Platinum Kings of Kc host a majestic night at Pete's Place, Gray attire is the theme but not mandatory.

First Saturdays at Keystone: Artist & Vendor Market + Live Music
2026-08-02 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | 800 W 18th St, 800 West 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
A free monthly artist & vendor market with live music, DJs, food trucks, and youth arts programming in the heart of Kansas City.

Lunch & Learn for Women Supporting Women
2026-08-05 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | The Hive Coworking & Coffee, N Broadway Ave, Wichita, KS, USA, 200 North Broadway Avenue, #110, Wichita, KS, 67202, United States
Join us for a fun and informative Lunch & Learn session for women entrepreneurs like you.

Kauffman Center Presents
2026-08-06 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri
Herbie Hancock

Now in the seventh decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960s. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet that pioneered a groundbreaking sound in jazz, he also developed new approaches on his own recordings, followed by his work in the 70s — with record-breaking albums such as “Headhunters” — that combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music.

Crossroads First Fridays Street Market - 2026 Season
2026-08-07 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | East 18 Street, East 18 Street, Kansas City, MO, United States
Kansas City – First Fridays are BACK!

Keep It 100 Men's Conference 2026: Not Just Men, Kings in the Making
2026-08-07 19:00 - 2026-08-09 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Harvest Church International Outreach, 4300 North Corrington Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64117, United States
Join us for two jam-packed days setting you on the path towards success and fulfillment. Worship, learn, have fun and be inspired.

Keep It 100 Conference aims at equipping men to live out God’s purpose for their lives by staying true to themselves and maintaining their integrity in Christ.One of the exciting aspects of every Keep It 100 conference is the chance to meet and mingle with men from all over the world and various backgrounds. We intentionally foster a real, genuine, true, authentic, and transparent atmosphere where men can share, learn, grow, and have an encounter with Christ.

Alpha Omega Lambda Sorority Back-to-School Backpack Drive
2026-08-08 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | SAFE STREETS, 1200 E WATERMAN, WICHITA, KS, 67211
The organization is currently collecting donations for its Back-to-School Backpack & School Supply Giveaway, which will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The group is accepting donations of:

New backpacks

Notebooks

Pencils and pens

Crayons and markers

Folders

Glue sticks

Other basic school supplies

Organizers hope the community will come together to help students start the school year with confidence and the tools they need to learn.

How to Donate

Community members who would like to donate school supplies can coordinate pickup directly with the organizers or drop off donations at:

Safe Streets Wichita1200 E. Waterman St.Wichita, KS 67211

Donations are accepted on behalf of Alpha Omega Lambda Sorority every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Those wishing to make a monetary contribution can donate through Cash App:

$KansasLeapAOL

Organizers ask donors to include “School Supplies” in the notes section when making a contribution.

Investing in Wichita’s Future

Members say the backpack drive is about more than school supplies—it’s about investing in children and helping families who may be facing financial challenges.

Every backpack donated, every notebook purchased, and every dollar contributed helps put essential learning tools into the hands of local students.

With donations being collected through the end of July, Alpha Omega Lambda Sorority is encouraging Wichita residents, businesses, churches, and community organizations to join the effort and help make the upcoming school year a successful one for local children.

For more information or to coordinate a donation, interested community members can reach out directly to the organizers.
