Latest news with #KirkSharp
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fort Scott honors Prof. Hawkins' dedication to African American education
FORT SCOTT, Kan. — A lifetime of education — dedicated to the African American community in Fort Scott. 'Professor Hawkins had a saying, look sharp. Be sharp. Be somebody,' said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Exec. Dir. Just a few words with a big impact. It started early with a career as a teacher at Ft. Scott's Plaza School, a segregated campus for students K through 8th. The high school was integrated — but opportunities were still limited for Black students. Something Hawkins worked to change in the early 1900s. 'Could not participate in sports activities. Basically go to school and have to leave. And so Professor Hawkins knew it was important for the students to have some type of activity, so he created a basketball team basically out of his own pocket, very similar to what travel teams are doing today.' It was a career on the courts and in the classroom that would span five decades. 'Professor Hawkins was a long time professor, principal, coach. He was the mainstay of the Plaza School, and when he passed in 1946 during the mid of the segregation and discrimination, the white school board at the time had control of the school and decided to name the Plaza School after Professor E.J. Hawkins, in honor of his wonderful legacy,' said Sharp. An impact that wasn't limited to the Fort Scott community. 'So he is the first Kansas teacher to get posthumously inducted to the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame as an educator, and he's also in the Hall of Fame with the High School Athletics Association for his outstanding achievement that has been recognized by the Kansas High School Athletics Association.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New exhibit in Fort Scott honors lesser-known Black innovators
FORT SCOTT, Kan. — We continue our Black History Month series with a look at some of the names from history that you may not know. 'These are a tribute to Black History Month and the Black innovators and leaders throughout history that to contribute,' said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Exec. Dir. The Gordon Parks Museum is featuring a panel display focusing on some of the lesser-known names in history. 'So a lot of people are going to be more recognized with the name of Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, and a lot of others. But a lot of people are not very familiar with the Madam CJ Walker, the Charles Drew, the Matthew Henson.' Museum Executive Director Kirk Sharp says it's all about shining a light. 'Let people know about the inspirations and innovations and leadership that they did throughout history and all the contributions do that,' said Sharp. It includes Jackie Robinson and the rest of the Negro League baseball players, but also so much more. 'The ones that probably didn't get this much recognition, just like the Tuskegee Airmen and the Six Triple Eight, the all-Black women unit. So there's a lot of others, and a lot more that we don't even have out on display.' In all, there are more than 100 different posters and photos, and a quote of the day, all with the goal of highlighting the past. 'So Black history is celebrated in February, but should be celebrated 365. Black history is American history.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New memorial to tell the story of Fort Scott's first Black church
FORT SCOTT, Kan. — It's been more than 150 years since the church doors first opened. And even though that house of worship is no longer a part of the Fort Scott landscape, it's not forgotten. 'We're working on a project called a commemorative project for the Wayman AME Chapel Church,' said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director. It first opened for worship back in 1866, the first and oldest Black church in Fort Scott. Services started in a local home, later moving to the structure at Third and Lowman, according to Kirk Sharp. 'Frederick Douglass came to Fort Scott to speak on behalf of the AME Church at the opera house that was located here in Fort Scott. Booker T. Washington's nephew and successor Roscoe C. Simmons also spoke at the church. And also, Gordon Parks and his family were regular attendees and members of the church,' said Sharp. New memorial to tell the story of Fort Scott's first Black church Gordon Parks Museum Black History Month Presentation Freeman Health System hosts job fair to staff Fort Scott hospital School district warns parents of dangerous 'choking challenge' Electric vehicles could get more expensive to own in Kansas under new bill It's believed the church had its largest congregation in 1888. Those numbers would drop in later years. 'The church was condemned around 2000. And so we were very fortunate to have that donated to us.' The donation of that church site was given by former Fort Scott City Commissioner Josh Jones. Plans are underway for a memorial park. 'House six sign boards, storyboards. It's going to tell the history of the church, the connections, and also a timeline too. And also honor tribute to the past pastors that served the church. And we will have a welcome sign. It's going to be a part, not a playground, but more of a peaceful intervention to learn, educate, and for visitors to come and see,' said Sharp. Meanwhile, several pieces of the past are on display at the museum. 'Toys, watches, a lot of knickknacks, some dated to the 1800s, and we also were able to excavate some bricks and lumber and door knobs, all probably over 100 years old.' A collection that's growing—shedding more light on this key piece of the past. 'It's a wonderful way to help tell the story and keep the history alive,' said Sharp. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
