On Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 1:00 pm, the Greater Kansas City Black History Study Group hosted its annual Dr. Carter G. Woodson Birthday celebration and meeting at the Anita Gorman Conservation Discovery Center located at 4750 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110.

Highlights of Dr. Woodson’s life were presented by GKCBHSG historian, Dr. Antonio F. Holland.

Continuing Dr. Woodson’s legacy of educating the public about Black life, history, and culture, the meeting featured as guest speaker our own GKCBHSG President, Mr. Larry Lester, who is also a co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in Kansas City, MO. As a co-founder of the NLBM, Mr. Larry Lester served as its Research Director and Treasurer for five years (1991-1995). He was instrumental in the development of the Museum’s business plan, and its Incorporation in 1990. He was also chairman of the Society for American Baseball Research’s (SABR) Negro Leagues Committee, for more than 30 years, which annually hosts the Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference, the only academic symposium dedicated exclusively to the examination and promotion of black baseball history. Lester is the author of several books on sports history and continues to serve as a film consultant, exhibit curator, and lecturer at educational institutions and museums nationwide. Professionally, Lester is a retired IT project manager.

Lester’s lecture highlighted the many ways in which Black baseball was a precursor to the Civil Rights Movement and how these generational heroes impacted social change in this country. Information gleaned from historical newspapers, baseball statistics, personal interviews, and short stories formed the basis of his presentation.

The event was quite celebratory in recognition of Dr. Woodson’s birthday with refreshments, Black history trivia, and multiple prizes given to lucky attendees. Dr. Woodson’s legacy continues.