Black American Blueprint Collective Topeka

03/17/2026

BECOME A NEIGHBORHOOD ACCOUNTABILITY VOLUNTEER

This program is ideal for people who are willing to:
Encourage and mentor youth
Listen and support community members
Help resolve conflicts in healthy ways
Be part of a network working toward community healing and safety

Why It Matters:
Neighborhood Accountability Volunteers help create second chances, stronger relationships, and safer communities by supporting youth accountability while offering guidance and encouragement.

Join the Movement
If you care about youth, justice, and community well-being, NAV training is an opportunity to turn that passion into meaningful action.

Your voice, presence, and leadership can help change lives.

BECOME A NEIGHBORHOOD ACCOUNTABILITY VOLUNTEER

This program is ideal for people who are willing to:

Encourage and mentor youth

Listen and support community members

Help resolve conflicts in healthy ways

Be part of a network working toward community healing and safety

Why It Matters

Neighborhood Accountability Volunteers help create second chances, stronger relationships, and safer communities by supporting youth accountability while offering guidance and encouragement.

Join the Movement

If you care about youth, justice, and community well-being, NAV training is an opportunity to turn that passion into meaningful action.

Your voice, presence, and leadership can help change lives.

02/28/2026

It’s been a pleasure sharing these legendary Topeka stories with you all month! While we couldn’t fit every hero into 28 days, our mission to celebrate the past, present, and future of Black Topeka never stops.

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for more highlights.
Visit our website to stay in the loop on all upcoming events.
Thanks for coming on this journey with us! We’re just getting started!

Samuel C. Jackson (1929–1982)

Our final highlight for the month is Mr. Samuel C. Jackson, who was a formidable lawyer, civil rights advocate, and high-ranking federal official whose career was dedicated to dismantling systemic inequality. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, on May 8, 1929, Mr. Jackson moved to the Capital City, where he graduated from Topeka High School in 1947. He became a proud Ichabod, earning his bachelor’s degree from Washburn University in 1951 and his Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law in 1954. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, he returned to Topeka to join the legendary firm of Scott, Scott, and Scott, eventually becoming a partner in the firm renamed Scott, Scott, Scott, and Jackson.

Jackson’s historical importance is marked by his transition from local advocacy to national policy. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him as one of the five original commissioners of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where he helped shape the initial federal response to workplace discrimination. His expertise in urban development caught the attention of the next administration. In 1969, President Richard Nixon appointed him Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In this role, Mr. Jackson became one of the most powerful African Americans in the federal government, managing a multibillion-dollar budget aimed at revitalizing American cities and enforcing the Fair Housing Act.

Throughout his life, Jackson remained a steadfast supporter of Black excellence and higher education. He served on the boards of directors for numerous banks and universities and was a dedicated member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the National Urban League. Even as he became a partner at a prestigious New York firm and served on President Ronald Reagan’s Housing Commission, his heart remained in Topeka. Today, the city honors his immense contributions at Samuel C. Jackson Park (1112 SE 10th Ave). Jackson contributes to Topeka’s Black history as a brilliant legal strategist who proved that the path to equity required a seat at every table from the local law office to the Presidential Cabinet.

Visit us at www.black-collective.org. Also, visit the "Our Stories" Museum, inside West Ridge Mall by the food court. Admission is FREE!!!!

02/27/2026

Arthur A. Fletcher (1924–2005)

Arthur Fletcher was a revolutionary civil rights activist, professional athlete, and presidential advisor widely recognized as the "Father of Affirmative Action." Born on December 22, 1924, in Phoenix, Arizona, Fletcher’s family moved frequently during his childhood before settling in Kansas. After graduating from high school in Junction City, where he organized his first protest against segregated yearbooks, he made his mark in Topeka at Washburn University. A decorated World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient under General Patton, Mr. Fletcher was a standout student and athlete, a success that positioned him to be in the pros. In 1950, he joined the Los Angeles Rams and later made history as the first African American to play for the Baltimore Colts.

Mr. Fletcher’s historical importance shifted from the football field to the political arena in the 1950s and 60s. After working for the Kansas Highway Commission, he moved to Washington, where he served four U.S. Presidents. In 1969, President Richard Nixon appointed him Assistant Secretary of Labor. In this role, Mr. Fletcher implemented the "Philadelphia Plan," the nation’s first federal affirmative action program, which required government contractors to meet specific goals for hiring minority employees. His philosophy was simple yet profound: "It is a very poor dog that won't wag his own tail," implying that one must advocate for one's own dignity and progress.

In 1972, Mr. Fletcher became the executive director of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). During his tenure, he famously adopted and popularized the iconic slogan: "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." He later served as the Chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights under President George H.W. Bush and even made a run for the presidency in 1996. Despite his national stature, Mr. Fletcher always maintained a deep connection to the Sunflower State, frequently citing Kansas as his favorite vacation spot. Arthur Fletcher contributes to Topeka’s Black history as a leader who proved that the skills of a champion are best used to champion others' rights.

Visit us at www.black-collective.org. Also, visit the "Our Stories" Museum, inside West Ridge Mall by the food court. Admission is FREE!!!!

02/26/2026

Rev. Dr. W.L. Templeton (1922–2016)

Reverend Dr. W.L. Templeton was a towering figure in the religious and civic life of Topeka, serving as the senior Pastor of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church for an extraordinary 52 years. After accepting the call in 1959, he transformed a modest "Little Zion" congregation into a cornerstone of the city. In 1962, he famously led his congregants in a processional to their landmark edifice at 610 SE Lime Street while singing "We’re Marching to Zion." His tenure was defined by the motto, "The Church where Everybody is Somebody," fostering a culture of inclusion and spiritual growth that expanded Mount Carmel’s influence at the local, state, and national levels.

Rev. Templeton’s historical importance is rooted in his role as a bridge between the national Civil Rights Movement and the Topeka community. A contemporary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Templeton once shared a vision with Dr. King of fostering true racial reconciliation within the church. He lived to see this vision realized through his mentorship. He called 35 men to the ministry and notably integrated his own church leadership. He viewed the appointment of many deacons as the fulfillment of the "dream" he had discussed with Dr. King decades prior.

Affectionately known as "Paw Paw" by his sons in the ministry, Rev. Templeton was regarded as a "pastor’s pastor" who prioritized Christian education and community outreach. His legacy is now woven into the very geography of Topeka; in 2016, the City officially dedicated a portion of SE Lime Street as "Rev. Dr. W.L. Templeton Memorial Drive." He remains a permanent pillar of Black history in Topeka, remembered for ensuring that the church remained a sanctuary of leadership and hope for over half a century.

Visit us at www.black-collective.org. Also, visit the "Our Stories" Museum inside West Ridge Mall, by the food court. Admission is FREE!!!!

02/25/2026

Albert M. Thomas (1861–1940s)

Albert M. Thomas was a pioneering attorney and intellectual whose legal career in Topeka spanned over half a century. Born in Boone County, Missouri, on May 10, 1861, Thomas’s journey to the bar was a testament to his INCREDIBLE resilience. To fund his education at the Lincoln Institute and later the University of Michigan School of Law, Thomas worked as a hotel waiter, a Pullman porter, and a woodchopper. After graduating in 1887, he moved to Topeka and opened a law practice that would eventually handle cases in nearly every court in the state of Kansas!

Thomas’s historical importance is cemented by his role as the founding attorney for the Topeka branch of the NAACP in March 1913. Operating out of the historic Constitution Hall at 429 Kansas Avenue, the very building that served as Kansas’s first capitol, he partnered with other legal giants like James H. Guy. Thomas was considered one of the best-read members of the city’s legal community. His expertise was not limited to the courtroom. He was a high-ranking Mason, serving as the Past Master of the Euclid Masonic Lodge No. 2, and was a devoted lay leader at St. Simon the Cyrenian Episcopal Church.

His life also reflected the mobility and ambition of the Black professional class of the early 20th century. Thomas and his wife, Jessie, an educator, were part of the select group of African Americans who owned property in Lincoln Hills, Colorado, a historic Black resort community. Their cabin still stands today as a monument to their success. Albert M. Thomas contributes to Topeka’s Black history legacy as a legal architect who protected the rights of the community during the height of the Jim Crow era, proving that the pen and the law were as mighty as any sword in the fight for equality.

Visit us at www.black-collective.org. Also, visit the "Our Stories" Museum, located inside West Ridge Mall by the food court. Admission is FREE!!!!

02/24/2026

Dr. Marvin E. Edwards (b. 1944)

Dr. Marvin Edwards is a distinguished educator and author who made history in 1985 as the first African American to serve as the Superintendent of Topeka Public Schools. Originally educated in Chicago, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and his Master’s from Chicago State University, Edwards arrived in Topeka at age 41. He earned his Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University and brought a sophisticated, community-first approach to a district that was a primary focus of national educational history.

Dr. Edwards’ historical importance is rooted in his commitment to transparency and accessibility. Upon taking office, he famously wrote letters to 200 local organizations, offering to meet with each one personally. This tactic of being experienced by the people paved the way for one of his most lasting legacies: the establishment of the Topeka Public Schools Foundation in 1986. Over nearly 40 years, the Foundation has flourished, providing millions of dollars in grants and scholarships that directly impact the classrooms of Topeka.

After his three-year tenure in Topeka, Dr. Edwards went on to an illustrious career in Illinois and Texas. He served as the first African American General Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District and spent nine years leading Elgin Area School District U-46. In 1998, he was recognized as the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and one of the four best superintendents in the United States. Today, Dr. Edwards serves as a Professor Emeritus at Aurora University, where he continues to mentor the next generation of school leaders. He contributes to Topeka’s Black history legacy as the superintendent who bridged the gap between the district office and the front porch, ensuring that the community’s voice was part of the educational blueprint.

Visit us at www.black-collective.org. Also, visit the "Our Stories" Museum, located inside West Ridge Mall by the food court. Admission is FREE!!!!

02/23/2026

George W. Hamilton (1863–1936)

George W. Hamilton was a man of remarkable resilience and professional distinction whose life spanned a transformative era in American history. Born into the height of the Civil War on May 9, 1863, in Marion County, Kentucky, Hamilton eventually moved to Topeka, Kansas, where he became a cornerstone of the community for four decades. Residing at 825 Clay Street, he established a pioneering professional legacy as Topeka’s first licensed African American embalmer.

Operating from his business at 309 Kansas Avenue, Hamilton was a widely respected undertaker known for being "Open for Business Day and Night." In the early 1900s, he co-founded the Shawnee Mutual Burial Association with Fred Stonestreet, an initiative that provided essential burial insurance plans for Black residents during a time when mainstream insurance was often inaccessible. His 1918 advertisements became a part of local lore, proudly promising "Everything New But the Man," a slogan that reflected his commitment to modern, dignified service.

Hamilton’s influence extended far beyond his mortuary. He was a staunch advocate for civil rights, serving as Vice-President of the Topeka branch of the National Independent Equal Rights League and as a board member of the Topeka Business League. A faithful parishioner at Holy Name Church, he and his wife, Mary, raised four sons who continued his legacy of ambition across the Midwest. Hamilton passed away in 1936 at the age of 73, leaving behind a blueprint for Black entrepreneurship and civic leadership that paved the way for future generations of business owners in the capital city.

Visit us at www.black-collective.org. Also, visit the "Our Stories" museum, located inside West Ridge Mall by the food court. Admission is FREE!

02/22/2026

The Topeka African American Book Club is up and running, and we’re excited to welcome new members! Our next meeting is on March 3rd, at 6 pm at West Ridge Mall, located in the "Our Stories" Museum by the food court. We will meet every two weeks.

Join us in person, or participate virtually by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer. Please reach out with any questions or inquiries to Michael Kates at 785-260-0875 or [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

Also, remember to check out the "Our Stories" Museum! Visit www.black-collective.org to stay up to date on our upcoming events or to get involved.

02/22/2026

Carolyn Campbell (b. 1945)

We are proud to highlight another member of the Black Collective's team. The beautiful and witty Carolyn Wims-Campbell! Carolyn Wims-Campbell is a powerhouse of civic leadership and a quintessential Topeka daughter whose life story bridges the era of segregation with the highest levels of Kansas governance. Born in 1942 in Topeka, Kansas, Carolyn describes herself as a "fourth-generation Topeka River Rat" from the North Topeka community. She was educated at McKinley Elementary, one of the city's four segregated all-Black schools. Far from viewing this start as a disadvantage, she remains a "proud product of segregation," often crediting the strict but deeply caring Black educators who instilled in her a lifelong expectation of excellence.

Campbell’s historical importance is rooted in her ability to shatter glass ceilings across multiple sectors. After a 30-year career as a benefits manager at Southwestern Bell, she transitioned into public service, becoming the first African American ever elected to the Kansas State Board of Education, serving from 2008 to 2016. Before her state service, she spent 12 years on the Topeka Public Schools (USD 501) Board of Education, serving twice as president. Her tenure was marked by a relentless focus on narrowing achievement gaps and ensuring that the Brown v. Board legacy was taught as a living history in Kansas classrooms.

Beyond education, Carolyn has been a fixture in the Kansas Statehouse since 1992, serving as a highly influential legislative staffer for numerous leaders, including the current Senate Minority Leader. Her notable accomplishments include her role as a Kansas African American Affairs Commissioner and her leadership within the NAACP, for which she received the Col. William E. Richards Award in 2023. She remains a stewardess at St. Mark’s AME Church and a tireless advocate for Topeka's youth. Carolyn Campbell's legacy was encouraged by being "valued every day" in the classroom of her youth, which was the spark that created one of the most invaluable black public servants in Kansas history!

Visit us at www.black-collective.org. Also, visit the "Our Stories" museum, located inside West Ridge Mall by the food court. Admission is FREE of charge!

02/21/2026

Judge Sherman Parks Sr. (1924–2005)

Judge Sherman Parks Sr. was a titan of the Kansas judiciary and a man of historic "firsts" who dismantled professional barriers through quiet dignity and sharp intellectual rigor. Born on May 15, 1924, in Wewoka, Oklahoma, Judge Parks spent his early years in the historic Black Wall Street region of Oklahoma before moving to Topeka. A veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, he returned to Kansas to earn his Bachelor’s degree in 1949 and his law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 1955, graduating just one year after the landmark Brown v. Board decision. His arrival in the legal field coincided with the early years of post-segregation litigation, at a time when Black attorneys were rare and Black judges were nonexistent in the Kansas higher courts.

Judge Parks holds several landmark appointments. In 1977, Governor Robert Bennett appointed him to the Kansas Court of Appeals, making him the first African American to serve on an appellate court in the state’s history. Before this historic rise, he served as the first Black attorney in the Kansas Secretary of State’s office and as a judge in the Topeka Municipal Court. His judicial temperament was legendary. He was known for a "firm but fair" approach that earned him the respect of colleagues across the political spectrum.

Beyond the bench, Judge Parks was a dedicated mentor and community pillar. He was a lifelong member of the NAACP and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, using his platform to advocate for equal access to the bar and legal profession for minority students. His legacy in Topeka is a family tradition of service. His son, Sherman Parks Jr., also became a distinguished attorney and public servant. Judge Parks Sr.'s legacy as the man who integrated the "high bench" of Kansas proves that the pursuit of justice is most effective when the judiciary reflects the diversity of the people it serves!

Visit us at www.black-collective.org. Also, visit the "Our Stories" museum, located inside West Ridge Mall by the food court. Admission is FREE!!!