On Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 1:00 pm, the Greater Kansas City Black History Study Group hosted its monthly program at the Black Archives of Mid-America-1722 E. 17th Terrace-Kansas City, MO 64108. The featured guest speakers were GKCBHSG members, Ms. Cheryl Armstrong, Ms. Lucille Douglass, and Ms. Sandra Lamb. Each speaker addressed the work she has done to preserve different aspects of Black History, as they shared stories of historical significance to American History. These women exemplify the mission of ASALH in their commitment to research, preserve, and disseminate information about Black life, history, and culture, and are history makers themselves in the work they have done and continue to do.
Ms. Chery Armstrong’s presentation, “WILLIAM (“BILLY”) KEEMER’S 1875 LYNCHING IN GREENFIELD, INDIANA “, shared how an injustice perpetrated on a great uncle more than 150 years ago affected her family and a historic Indiana black settlement. She discussed the diverse community coalition needed to erect and dedicate a historical marker and finally put this painful chapter to rest.
Ms. Lucille Douglass’presentation, “We have come. . . till now we stand. . . .” discussed her work and that of her mother, Lucille S. Douglass, and Gaylon Hoskins to restore the original Banneker School, which was the pinnacle of education for children of freed enslaved ancestors after the Civil War. Also discussed was her work to preserve historic Washington Chapel CME Church, built in 1907, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Ms. Sandra Lamb is widely known as the co-founder of the Institute of Black Invention & Technology, Inc., a traveling museum/exhibit that educates audiences about African American inventors and innovators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Her presentation, “The Hidden History of the Black West”, however, highlighted new research on the Black men and women whose labor, skill, talent, and courage helped define western life. Their stories, she shared, reshaped our understanding of the West and reinforced a simple truth: Black history is American history.
We are proud of these members and the many others who are daily fulfilling the ASALH mission and are helping our branch keep Black History in the forefront of the Greater Kansas City community.
Shown(L-R) in the first photo are members/presenters: Ms. Cheryl Armstrong, Ms. Lucille Douglass, and Ms. Sandra Lamb; Shown (L-R) in 2nd photo are Dr. Cecelia Robinson, GKCBHSG VP-Membership, as she introduces the speakers: Lucille Douglass, Sandra Lamb, and Cheryl Armstrong.
