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Remembering Alvin Sykes | Westport Homeless Encampment | Crossroads 20th Anniversary

By Steve Kraske,
Zach Wilson
Published March 31, 2021 at 5:34 AM CDT
A group of tents and tarps on a grassy site with bare trees on either side, tire tracks leading to and away from the encampment and buildings across the street behind it.
Lukas Kenney
/
KCUR
The homeless encampment in Westport is named "Camp 6ixx" after Scott "Sixx" Eicke, a man who died outside in the cold on New Year's Day while experiencing homelessness.

Renowned Kansas City civil rights activist Alvin Sykes has died, Westport's homeless encampment is catching the eyes of Kansas Citians, and the Crossroads Community Association celebrates 20 years.

Segment 1, beginning at 00:35: Alvin Sykes was a brilliant self-taught legal mind known for reopening cases involving the murder of Black people during the civil rights era.

Kansas State Senator David Haley recalls the life of his good friend, civil rights activist Alvin Sykes, who passed away on March 19th at the age of 64.

Segment 2, beginning at 06:03: In both Westport and downtown at City Hall, encampments are bringing awareness to the issue of homelessness in the Kansas City area.

The residents of the makeshift communities are looking to be provided with housing to help them get back on their feet and progress is being made on that front. We learn more about how the encampments were organized, and what goals the occupants are hoping to achieve.

Segment 3, beginning at 28:35: After two decades of transformation, the Crossroads Community Association continues to put its imprint on the Kansas City neighborhood centered at 19th and Baltimore.

Members recall what brought about the CCA, the association's history and what projects they are looking forward to in the future.

  • Suzie Aron, secretary of CCA, former president
  • Bill Quick, general counsel to CCA real estate developers
Tags
Up To Date Talk ShowAlvin SykesWestportHousinghomelessnessCrossroadsArts & CultureKansas City Missouri (KCMO)urban development
Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
See stories by Steve Kraske
Zach Wilson
As Up To Date’s senior producer, I construct daily conversations that give our listeners context to the issues of our time. I strive to provide a platform that holds those in power accountable, while also spotlighting the voices of Kansas City’s creatives and visionaries that may otherwise go unheard. Email me at zach@kcur.org.
See stories by Zach Wilson