Happy Monday, Wichita!
A fresh week is here, and so is your Monday roundup of local news, community updates, and events you won’t want to miss.
In Today’s Newsletter:
- Survey suggest Black men could play a decisive role in key races this year
- Hip-hop mourns the loss of a legend whose sound defined a generation
- Get ready for Juneteenth with our e-Edition online event guide
💡 Black Trivia Question: Which Kansas athlete broke barriers as the first Black player on the Kansas State University basketball team in 1951?
A. Gene Wilson B. LaVannes Squires C. Michael Beasley D. Henry Walker
*See the answer after “In Other News”*
🤩 Name in Lights: Many thanks to Dorothy Schultz, one of our generous donors. Financial support from our readers underwrites the work we do and allows us to keep our news free. Will you support us?
ELECTIONS
Black Men Could Be Key to 2026 Election Outcomes, New Survey Finds
As voting rights battles intensify across the country, Black leaders and civil rights organizers are sounding the alarm about declining voter engagement, redistricting fights, and new threats to political representation. Here’s why many believe this moment could redefine the future of Black political influence in America.
NATIONAL NEWS
Hip-Hop Pioneer Rob Base Dies at 59
Following news of his death, fans and fellow artists are reflecting on the Harlem icon’s lasting impact on music, culture, and the golden era of rap.
E-EDITION
The Voice e-Edition May 22, 2026
As Juneteenth celebrations begins to gear up, THE VOICE, online event calendar is starting to get packed. This e-Edition features Juneteenth celebrations across Kansas and Kansas City.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY VOICE
We’ve created one place for you to see events happening around Wichita and the entire state. Check out The Link Up today, our new online calendar!
Get Out This Week In Wichita:
KIDS: Storytime in the Park. Read along with stories on the big screen at Naftzger Park. (May 26, 10a.m.-11a.m.)
BUSINESS: ICT Urban Professionals. What’s next for ICT Urban Professionals? Join us on May 28th at Love & Co. for updates, connections, and new connections!. (May 28, 5:30p.m.-7p.m.)
COMMUNITY: On Tap & On the Map: The Legacy of Redlining in Wichita. Join Council Member Joseph W. Shepard for On Tap & On the Map: The Legacy of Redlining in Wichita, a community conversation exploring how redlining shaped our city. (May 28, 5:30p.m.-7p.m.)
FESTIVAL: Riverfest Sundown Parade. Historian Donna Rae Pearson explores the McAdams neighborhood, tracing its origins to Wichita’s earliest days. (May 29, 6:30p.m.-8p.m.)
See more Wichita events on our new online calendar!
13 US service members have died in the war with Iran. Here are their stories. Grieving families across the country continue to remember the 13 US service members, among them parents and cherished wives and husbands. (CNN)
Family claims Wichita liquor store selling to minors contributed to deadly Sunday morning crash. A 17-year-old is arrested after a deadly crash early Sunday morning involving a pedestrian in Old Town, but the family of one of the passengers in that car said there’s more to the story. (KAKE)
A mop, a broom and a calmer mind. Why some find mental health benefits in everyday tasks. psychologists say there are mental health benefits to be found in such manual chores as sweeping, mopping and clearing away clutter. (AP)
Trivia Answer: A. Gene Wilson. Gene Wilson was the first Black player on the Kansas State University basketball team in 1951, breaking the conference’s color barrier. He was also a trailblazer in track and field for the university.
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