Attorney General's News Release

December 4, 2007

Nixon, instrumental in revitalization of Black Archives, helps in groundbreaking ceremony in Kansas City

Kansas City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today helped break ground in Kansas City for a new home to the Black Archives of Mid-America, one of the country’s premier collections of documents and artifacts chronicling African-American history. Nixon joined Kansas City civic leaders and members of the Black Archives board of directors in the ceremony at the new location for the Archives at the intersection of John “Buck” O’Neil Way and Woodland in the historic 18th and Vine District.

“This day represents a milestone in many respects,” Nixon said. “A year and a half ago, we began a dialogue on the future of the Black Archives of Mid-America. You as a community have demonstrated what vision, leadership, and hard work can accomplish. This community put aside personal and political differences and has come together for the common good — and a common purpose. And the generosity of many citizens and the support and leadership of this city is turning this dream into a reality.”

As steward of the state’s non-profit assets, Nixon stepped in after learning that financial difficulties and other problems were threatening the condition of the documents and artifacts that formed the Black Archives collection. The Archives had been dissolved as a non-profit corporation in 2006 for failing to comply with state law.

In order to place the Archives on firmer footing, Nixon held two public hearings in Kansas City. More than 400 people attended the hearings — an indication, Nixon said, of the community support to keep the Black Archives. One hundred people submitted applications to serve on the board of directors.

Nixon helped in reconstituting a 14-member board of directors and swore in the new board in January 2007. He said the new board had the experience, the knowledge and the proven community leadership to help the Black Archives reach its full potential as a historical resource. The new board then elected Barbara Peterson, widow of Black Archives founder Horace Peterson, as its president. Nixon praised Mrs. Peterson for carrying forth with her husband’s dream.

“Once again, you demonstrate what we must be as a community,” Nixon told those at the groundbreaking ceremony. “We must be dedicated to working together. We must set aside political and personal differences in order to serve the broader community, to serve the common good.”

The Black Archives board of directors has been working with the Parks and Recreation Department of Kansas City to develop a new location for the Archives. The new site will provide better protection for the documents and artifacts, including better climate controls, and better access for historians and researchers, as well as the general public.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818