Image: Martin Luther King Jr. hangs his head with a cigarette hanging in his right hand (left) and Andrew Young in 1966 at the Montgomery, Ala., airport. Credit: Bob Fitch, Stanford University Libraries, Department of Special Collections
Martin Luther King Jr. (left) and Andrew Young in 1966 at the Montgomery, Ala., airport. Credit: Bob Fitch, Stanford University Libraries, Department of Special Collections

A Review of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Impact on Kansas City

January 16, 2023  |  Vicky Diaz-Camacho  |  1 min read

Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered for his leadership, powerful speeches, objection to violence and dedication to peacefully fight for solutions to social issues such as desegregation.  

In 2022, he would have turned 93 years old. Each year on Jan. 16, many observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, which the Encyclopedia Britannica describes as: “a reflection of his legacy of addressing social problems through collective action.” 

Over the years, Flatland’s coverage of King’s impact in the Midwest has unearthed a treasure trove of images, personal histories and a professor who was inspired by the orator’s impact – and familial air.  

Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.

Reflecting on the value of friendship

July 29, 2026

Flatland faith columnist Bill Tammeus gives thanks for the many friendships he has developed and maintained throughout his lifetime.

Related Stories

John Trumbull's painting, Declaration of Independence, depicting the five-man drafting committee of the Declaration of Independence presenting their work to the Congress. The original hangs in the US Capitol rotunda. It does not represent a real ceremony; the characters portrayed were never in the same room at the same time. (Wikipedia)

The Declaration at 250: How Expansionism Helped Fuel A Revolution

Animus toward British restrictions on moving westward was one reason Americans sought their independence, though bedrock principles like freedom of speech remain relevant today.

Read More >
exterior of old metcalf south shopping center

A Black Friday Romp Through the Metro’s Shoplifting History

Not long ago a woman walked into an Oak Park Mall bath and body store carrying two shopping bags. She lingered for two hours, examining the scented candles. Then the phone of Detective Byron Pierce of the Overland Park Police Department buzzed. The caller was an employee of the store.  “Everything okay?” Pierce asked. No….

Read More >
A view of the Big Blue battlefield now that parks and recreation has cleared it.

A Better Big Blue Battlefield in Kansas City | Part III

Editor’s note: This is the final installment of a three-part series on the restoration of the Big Blue Battlefield in Kansas City, Missouri. The engagement on the Big Blue Battlefield was pivotal in the larger Battle of Westport, an October 1864 clash that effectively ended organized Confederate military operations in Missouri. As the years receded,…

Read More >