Jackson County Democratic Committee

In 1960, there were five African Americans in Kansas City, Leon Jordan, Bruce Watkins, Dr. Charles Moore, Fred Curls, and Howard Maupin dedicated to coming together to organize the use the political power of the African American vote in response to addressing issues of segregation and the struggle for civil rights.

By 1961, Freedom, Inc. was formally organized with Leon Jordan, elected as Chairman and Bruce Watkins as Co-chair. Twelve workers were assigned as precinct captains to work the wards and precincts in the African American community. The first major issue that Freedom attempted in 1961 was to increase the City Council members from six (6) district council members to twelve (12) council members, by adding six (6) at large districts.  This was known as the “12-0″ issue and was designed to help African Americans have an opportunity to be elected to the City Council. There were none on the council.  This issue failed on the ballot was later negotiated with the existing City Council and a City ordinance created the twelve member council that we have today.

Some Highlights:
In 1962, Freedom, Inc. had approximately 50-60 members. Bruce Watkins and Dr. Earl Thomas were elected as the first African American City Council members.

In 1964, Leon Jordan and Harold Holliday, Sr. were elected as the first African American State Representatives from Kansas City.

Public Accommodations was the next major issue tackled by Freedom, Inc. in 1964, which barely passed by 1600 votes.  This would allow African Americans to eat in restaurants downtown and eliminate separate facilities for African Americans and whites.

In 1966, Freedom, Inc. commanded two (2) wards in the African American Community-the 14th and 17th wards.

In 1968, Dr. Ramos became the first African American elected to the Kansas City Missouri School Board.

In 1970, Leon Jordan was assassinated while leaving his place of business and his wife Orchid Jordan took his seat as a State Representative. Leon’s murder has never been solved.

From 1970 - 1980, Freedom, Inc. continued to grow and become a political force in City, State and National politics. Two young Freedom members were elected to the City Council-Charles Hazley and Richard Tolbert.  Followed by Mark Bryant and Ken Bacchus.
During this era, Herman Johnson and later Alan Wheat were elected as State Representatives.

In the 1980’s, Freedom had elected officials at almost every level; Phil Curls was elected as the first African American State Senator from Kansas City,  Mary Groves Bland was elected as a State Representative, Harold Holliday, Jr. and Patricia Skaggs were elected to the Jackson Legislature, Robert Wheeler was selected as the first African American Superintendent of the Kansas City School District,  Fletcher Daniels was elected to the School Board and later became a State Representative and Ed Skaggs was elected as the first African American President of the Kansas City Missouri School Board.

Alan Wheat became the first African American Congressman from the western part of the State in the 1980’s.  A landmark achievement for Freedom, Inc.

By the 1990’s Mary Groves Bland replaced Phil Curls in the Senate, becoming the first African American female to hold a senate seat from the western part of the State.  The number of state representatives was now up to four (4).  Terry Riley was elected to the School Board, during the 90’s and later was elected as a State Representative.

The first African American Mayor of Kansas City, Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, II was elected in the 90’s, another landmark achievement for Freedom, Inc.

During the period from 1999 to 2006, Troy Nash, Alvin Brooks (appointed Mayor Pro-Tem) and Terry Riley (Terry finished out Kelvin Simmons term) were elected to the City Council, and Freedom had six (6) African American elected officials at the state level.  Melba Curls, Sharon Sanders Brooks, Craig Bland, Michael Brown and Leonard Jonas Hughes held five (5) seats as State Representatives and in 2004; Yvonne Wilson replaced Mary Groves Bland as the State Senator.

In 2004, Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, II was elected to Congress.

Over the years Freedom, Inc. has support many bond issues and currently works in up to 12 Wards in the City.

The traditional Freedom wards include the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 15th 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th.  Recently, Freedom has expanded to the 24th, 23rd and 26th wards.  Freedom has committeemen and women elected in many of these wards.

For information contact: 816 483-8683