Freedom Wall Commission

Celebrate those who did not say no

Join us for a special event to honor those individuals (either living or deceased), who have demonstrated, either currently or in the past, exceptional leadership qualities in their ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life in the urban community of Jackson County, Missouri. This special event will be held 10 AM August 24, 2024, at Leon Jordan Memorial Park, 31st and Benton Blvd., KCMO. RSVP today to Dawn Hickman at 816-881-3806 or DHickman@Jacksongov.org.

Purpose

• The Commission’s purpose is to select inductees for the Monument to Freedom, Justice and Courage, which is located in the Leon Jordan Memorial Park at 31st and Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri. The Freedom Wall honors those individuals (either living or deceased), who have demonstrated, either currently or in the past, exceptional leadership qualities in their ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life in the urban community of Jackson County, Missouri. 
• The Commission meets annually to select up to 100 inductees for 10 years.  The Inaugural Commission created the guidelines for the selection process.
• With the assistance of Jackson County government, the Commission will plan induction ceremonies each year that appropriately honor inductees and/or their families. The Commission may decide to conduct these ceremonies during Black History Month, or on Memorial Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday or on any other date the Commission may choose.

 

Composition

• The County Executive appoints 11 members to the commission.
• All members must be residents of Jackson County.
• One member must be a County Legislator.
• All members must be business, community and/or neighborhood leaders who possess significant knowledge about the civil rights movement and the contributions of African Americans and other minority groups to the history and development of Jackson County, Missouri. 
• The County Executive solicits nominations to the Commission from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Metropolitan Organization for Racial and Economic Equity (MORE2), the Metropolitan Community Colleges, Penn Valley Campus, and neighborhood organizations within Jackson County, Missouri. 

 

Members	Term Expires
Venessa Huskey (County Legislator - 2nd District)
Kevin Woolfolk	Sept. 21, 2024
Toi Wilson	Sept. 21, 2024
Ike Graham	Sept. 21, 2024
Letonia "LT" Torrence	Sept. 21, 2024
Dr. Bob Hill	Sept. 21, 2024
Gayle Hill-Suber	Sept. 21, 2024
Robert "Bobby" Hernandez	Sept. 21, 2024
Damon Daniel	Sept. 21, 2024
Anita Russell	Sept. 21,2024
Karen Slaughter	Sept. 21, 2024
Marquita Taylor	Sept. 21, 2024