Building Black Kansas City

Carmaletta Williams


Carmaletta Williams

Executive Director, Black Archives of Mid-America Black Archives of Mid-America
a group of students in classroom
a group of people
a group of people
Black and white photo of a baseball team

Project Description

Building Black Kansas City is an oral history project focusing on the African American experience in Kansas City, MO in the mid twentieth century, beginning at the end of World War II. These stories will chronicle the building of Black Kansas City through varying aspects of its culture, collecting and making accessible the voices of individuals who might not otherwise have an opportunity to share their personal stories from a bygone era. Recorded interviews will be available to anyone through our website, promotional platforms, and social media. Short three-minute versions of the interviews will feature highlights from these conversations, with full interviews available on our website.

Partner Details

Carmaletta Williams


Carmaletta Williams

Executive Director, Black Archives of Mid-America Black Archives of Mid-America

Carmaletta Williams earned BA and MA degrees from UMKC and a PhD from KU. She taught English and African American Studies at Johnson County Community College and was the founding Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Scholarly publications include Do Nothin’ Till you Hear from Me: Langston Hughes in the ClassroomMy Dear Boy: Letters from Carrie Hughes to Langston Hughes 1926-1938Of Two Spirits: African American and Native American Racial Identity Formation.