Name: Reel Black Film Fest from Kansas City PBS
Start: 2025-02-22T15:00:00-06:00
End: 2025-02-22T20:00:00-06:00
Location: The Truman

Reel Black Film Fest from Kansas City PBS

Join Kansas City PBS in celebrating Black History Month with exclusive film premieres, panel discussions, community vendors and more. This exciting event will showcase three local films highlighting the history and vibrancy of Black Kansas City. Beyond the screenings, guests will enjoy shopping with local, Black-owned businesses, exciting giveaways, a filmmakers resource lounge and a live remote featuring Hot 103 Jams!
Featured films:
🎬 Land of Opportunity: The Road of Resistance
This installment of Land of Opportunity explores the impact of real estate and federal policies on urban communities. Inspired by Richard Rothstein’s ‘The Color of Law,’ this film focuses on Kansas City’s Highway 71 project and reveals how the city’s urban renewal efforts displaced 10,000 families.
🎬 The Potato King: A Dynasty Built on Dirt and Dreams
The Potato King tells the story of Junius Groves, a formerly enslaved man who became known as the “Potato King of the World.” Told from the perspective of local farmer Mike B. Rollen, this film sets out to learn about Groves and his pioneering journey to become one of the wealthiest men of his time.
🎬 Diamond Jubilee: A 75-Year Celebration of the Carter Broadcast
In 1950, Andrew “Skip” Carter began operating KPRS as the nation’s first Black radio station west of the Mississippi River. Seventy-five years later, the Kansas City radio station is still alive and well, celebrating its Diamond Jubilee anniversary.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Local vendors and the Filmmakers Resource Lounge will be available once doors open, and the program begins at 3 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Reel Black is made possible with support from Health Forward Foundation, the Missouri Humanities Council and the KC Film Office.