The Museum of Kansas City is proud to announce the opening of Dunbar: Kansas City’s First Black Suburb, a new exhibition debuting on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in the Museum’s third-floor gallery, A Cultural & Community Restoration: 1970s to Present Day, The Edward F. Swinney Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee Gallery.
Organized by The Museum of Kansas City, Dunbar: Kansas City’s First Black Suburb is co-curated by Kathryn Persley, Damon Patterson, and Dr. Jacob Wagner in collaboration with current and former Dunbar residents Earline Gillum Bentley, Pamela Nicholson Collins, Joan Mathis, Ada Oliver Shaw, Vivienne Starks Smith, and Janice Vertreese. The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Heart of the City Neighborhood Association and the Center for Neighborhoods at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. It is dedicated to the memory of Yvonne Starks Willson (1929–2019) and Anita Dixon-Brown (1956–2026).
Since its founding in 1915, the Dunbar neighborhood has embodied resilience, community, and cultural pride. Despite the challenges of redlining, economic hardship, and natural disasters, residents have remained steadfast in preserving their heritage and advocating for progress. Today, revitalization efforts are bringing renewed energy to the neighborhood through the restoration of historic homes and buildings, support for Black-owned businesses, and initiatives focused on affordability and environmental stewardship. Longtime residents, newcomers, and community partners are working together to honor Dunbar’s past while shaping a vibrant future. The story of Dunbar is not simply one of survival—it is a testament to perseverance, growth, and a commitment to preserving a rich legacy for generations to come.
The Dunbar neighborhood and its first school were named in honor of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906), one of the nation’s most celebrated Black poets and literary voices. At a time when African Americans faced segregation, violence, and limited opportunities, Dunbar’s work expressed dignity, intellect, resilience, and hope. In tribute to his enduring legacy, the exhibition opens on June 27, his birthday.
Exhibition is free, located on the 3rd floor, on view through June 27, 2027.