Remember This? Bruce R. Watkins

By Dorri Partain

In the 1979 Kansas City, Mo., mayoral election, Democratic candidate Bruce R. Watkins faced Republican candidate Richard Berkley.

Born in 1924, Watkins was adopted by his step-father Theron B. Watkins, an early leader in the local Civil Rights movement. During World War II, the younger Watkins served with the famed Tuskegee Airmen as navigator and bombardier with the 99th Pursuit Squadron. 

Following the war, he returned to Kansas City and became a licensed embalmer and funeral director, working alongside other family members at their local business.

Inspired by his step-father’s activism, Watkins worked with Kansas City Police Department officer and close friend Leon Jordan to found Freedom, Incorporated in 1962. The group’s mission encouraged Black Americans to register to vote and support Black candidates to run for public offices. 

Bruce R. Watkins

In 1963, Watkins was the first Black candidate to run for City Council and win. His first accomplishment was the proposal and passage of the city-wide Public Accommodations Ordinance #29153. That success led to his election as the first Black person to serve as Jackson County Circuit Court Clerk in 1966. In 1975, he was re-elected to the City Council.

Watkins filed as the first Black candidate to run in the race for Mayor of Kansas City in 1978.

Shortly after losing to opponent Berkley, Watkins was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away on September 13,1980.

Known as a trailblazer during the Civil Rights movement, Watkins has been honored throughout Kansas City. The Spirit of Freedom Fountain, located at Cleveland and Brush Creek Boulevard, was dedicated in his honor in 1981. The Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, opened in 1989 and contains a dedicated display regarding his achievements along with personal artifacts. A portion of U.S. 71 highway was opened as Bruce R. Watkins Drive in 2001.

Want Northeast News articles sent straight to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
Enter your email address and click on the Get Instant Access button.
We respect your privacy

Comments are closed.

  • Saint Mary’s Hospital – Over a century of service

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher “Dear Cousin, I like the chickens fine. We got two eggs today. They are all counted here. Jennie, […]


    KC Together: New Media for Our City, Our Stories

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    SPONSORED CONTENT Kansas City Museum is working with Artist/Filmmaker Randy Bacon and his movement platform 8 Billion Ones to create KC Together, a new series […]


    Remember this?

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor Putt putt to the Pizza Hut so the kids can take home this bag puppet featuring Pizza Hut […]


    Nelly Don: The Musical debuts for local viewing

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor A new, locally filmed production, “Nelly Don: The Musical” recounts the life of Nell Donnelly Reed, who found […]


    Remember This

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor Saving a summer’s bountiful garden harvest for later in the year was essential for homemakers decades ago, and […]


    The world’s most beautiful farm

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell  Publisher Shortly after lumber baron Robert A. Long completed his palatial Gladstone Boulevard mansion in 1910, he began […]


    Remember this?

    September 13th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor What do you want to be when you grow up? For young travelers flying the friendly skies, […]


    YMCA served Downtown through its heyday

    September 13th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher While the Charles E. Whitaker Federal Courthouse might be an iconic addition to Kansas City’s skyline, the now […]


    Shipyards in the Midwest? One of the biggest was at the confluence of the Missouri and Kaw rivers

    September 6th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher This Linen-era, Art Tone, “Glo-Var” finished postcard was published exclusively by the Beals Postcard Company of Des […]


  • Remember this

    September 6th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor Colorful and practical, bandanas can be used as a fashion accessory or simply to wipe one’s hands […]


    An oasis during the dog days of summer

    August 30th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher With the dog days of summer wrapping up, it seems fitting to showcase something cool and historic […]


    Remember this… 

    August 30th, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor America’s favorite collie was created for a short story written by a British author. Eric Knight (1897-1943) used […]


    Diamond Transfer Company At Your Service

    August 23rd, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher This real photo postcard was published by the North American Postcard Company of Kansas City, Mo. The view […]


    Remember This…

    August 23rd, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor Rock and Roll music’s “British Invasion” started off in a big way when The Beatles arrived in America […]


    A century later, postcard view largely the same

    August 16th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher The intersection of Thompson Avenue and Gladstone Boulevard looks only a little different in 2023 than it did […]


    Remember This?

    August 16th, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor Now I know my ABC’s, won’t you spell along with me? Whether used at school or at home, […]


    Bales Baptist Church, Men’s Bible Class

    August 9th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher In 1886 Thomas Stafford and Charles Murray, students at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., along with some […]


    Remember This?

    August 9th, 2023
    by

    Dorri PartainContributor Can you fit all your school supplies inside a cigar box? Elementary school students in the 1960’s often […]


  • Northeast Newscast


  • Remember This?

    Remember This?

    August 2nd, 2023
    by

  • Want articles sent directly to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
    We respect your privacy and will not distribute your information.