Manhattan Juneteenth will host “The Kansas City Monarchs in Your Hometown,” a presentation and discussion by Phil S. Dixon on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 6:30pm at Douglass Activity Center, 925 Yuma Street.
Members of the community are invited to attend the free program which is made possible by Humanities Kansas. Dixon’s presentation kicks off this year’s Manhattan Juneteenth Celebration.
Formed in 1920, the Kansas City Monarchs revolutionized baseball: not only were they charter members of the Negro National League and the first professional team to use outdoor lighting, the Monarchs also sent more players to the major leagues than any other Negro League franchise. This presentation will explore the early barnstorming days of the Monarchs and highlight great players such as Wilbur “Bullet” Rogan, Satchel Paige, and Jackie Robinson.
Phil S. Dixon a co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. He is the author of nine books about baseball, including biographies about Wilber “Bullet” Rogan and John “Buck” O’Neil. In the course of his research, he has interviewed over 500 former Negro League players and family members.
“The Kansas City Monarchs in Your Hometown” is part of Humanities Kansas's Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.