You can share your experiences around racism in KC as city considers reparations
You can now share your stories about how anti-Black actions from the City of Kansas City affected you or your loved ones as the city considers issuing reparations.
The Mayor’s Commission on Reparations is inviting Black Kansas Citians to share their stories about harm done by the city in five categories: health, economics, housing, criminal justice and education.
The commission, established in 2023, hired Florida-based research firm Carter Development Group to help understand how the City of Kansas City has harmed the Black community over the years. The researchers are tasked with sharing an initial report in August 2026, and a final report with recommendations on how to proceed in February 2027.
Their first community conversation for people to share their experiences will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Commission chair Terri Barnes said if people have a story of anti-Black racism in Kansas City, “We still want to hear that story, because there may be some tie in to the city (government) that you’re totally unaware of.”
Barnes says she wants participants to feel heard when they share their stories.
“I hope that they feel hopeful that their story will contribute to a group of stories that will help us understand what occurred at various times in our history across Kansas City,” Barnes said.
And she said people shouldn’t expect reparations to mean a check in the mail, because she said municipalities don’t have the money to pay out significant amounts.
“I certainly do think it’s reasonable for people to expect improvement in housing or health care or educational access — other ways that people can feel an immediate benefit and value from the experience,” said Barnes.
The project website includes examples of harms, including:
- Historical exclusion from medical services and facilities
- Employment discrimination and wage gaps
- Redlining and segregation
- Over policing and racial profiling
- Segregation and underfunded schools
Reparations in Kansas City
This is the start of a 16-month process to produce a report with recommendations on plans for reparations, which the city defines as “actions taken to repair harm caused by past and ongoing injustices.”
But it has taken multiple years to get to this point. In 2023, the Mayor’s Commission on Reparations was approved by the city council and committee members were appointed.
The city council’s ordinance said it was “expressing apologies on behalf of the City of Kansas City and declaring the city’s intent to make amends for its participation in the sanctioning of the enslavement of Black people and any historical enforcement of segregation and accompanying discriminatory practices against Black citizens of Kansas City.”
The committee originally did not have a budget, but was given $350,000 in early 2024 to conduct research. But in June 2025, their money was frozen due to legal review after President Donald Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, KCTV5 reported.
Kansas City is not the only Missouri city looking into reparations. In 2024, the St. Louis Reparations Commission recommended the city send money to people whose ancestors were enslaved in the city and/or Black residents impacted by racism, in addition to other measures, according to a St. Louis Public Radio report.
How to get involved
In addition to the November storytelling event, there are a variety of ways for Black Kansas Citians to participate in the reparations research project. They can take an online survey, share their stories online or call the researchers at 855-925-2801, extension 11912.
For people who are not Black, Barnes suggested other ways to support the work for reparations. People can attend meetings for the Mayor’s Commission on Reparations on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 3 to 5 p.m.
In addition, there are similar conversations happening around the Kansas City area, through the Reconnecting the East Side initiative and the KC Reparations Coalition, which people can join by emailing chair Janay Reliford at info@campchoicekc.com.
Kansas City Reparations Community Conversation
- Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Kansas City Health Department, 2400 Troost Ave.
- Register on Eventbrite
This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 3:49 PM.
