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Police Chief Karl Oakman | 'Make Music' Festival | Give Black KC

By Steve Kraske,
Zach Wilson, Mackenzie Martin, Danie Alexander
Published June 18, 2021 at 5:25 PM CDT
Newly sworn Kansas City, Kansas, Police Chief Karl Oakman responds to applause after being introduced on Monday, June 14.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
Newly sworn Kansas City, Kansas, Police Chief Karl Oakman responds to applause after being introduced on Monday, June 14.

The latest chief of the Kansas City, Kansas, police department is a native son, an international music festival makes its first appearance in the metro, and meet a participant in the Give Black KC collaborative.

Segment 1, beginning at 0:59: After nearly 30 years with the Kansas City, Missouri, police department, Karl Oakman crosses the state line to take the top job in Kansas City, Kansas.

Having risen to the rank of deputy chief on the Missouri side, Oakman describes joining the Kansas City, Kansas, force as "a nice homecoming." When it comes to priorities for the department he says, "My main focus is to make sure officers are well internally, so you have good officers serving the community."

Segment 2, beginning at 26:07: Kansas City is getting set to make some music.

Make Music Day is an annual international celebration held on June 21. More than 1,000 cities in 120 countries participate, and this year Kansas City is joining in. Visitors can enjoy hundreds of musicians at more than two dozen locations in the greater Kansas City area. Some even offer music lessons.

Segment 3, beginning at 46:49: In the days leading up to Juneteenth, the collaborative "Give Black KC" aims to raise $80,000 to support eight Black organizations currently working to address priorities for Black residents of Kansas City.

Today's spotlight is on The Nia Project that is investing in Black girls and women to address the intractable issues facing them.

Give Black KC runs through Saturday, June 19. For more information on the coalition and how to donate go to https://www.giveblackkc.org.

The first performance for Make Music Kansas City begins on June 21 at 10:30 a.m. with the last performance beginning at 8:15 p.m. Performances take place at various locations throughout the greater Kansas City area. All are free and open to the public. For complete listings of artists and locations go to https://www.makemusicday.org/kcmo/

Make Music Liberty is June 21 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. at sites around town featuring 50 programs. Find a complete listing at https://www.makemusicliberty.org/

Tags
Up To Date Talk ShowKansas City Kansas PoliceKansas City Kansas (KCK)communityMusicFestivalKansas City Missouri (KCMO)live musicblack economyblack-owned businessesJuneteenthfundraising
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.
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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.
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Mackenzie Martin
Whether it’s something happening right now or something that happened 100 years ago, some stories don’t fit in the short few minutes of a newscast. As a podcast producer at KCUR, I help investigate questions and local curiosities in a way that brings listeners along for adventures with plot twists and thought-provoking ideas. Sometimes there isn’t an easy answer in the end – but my hope is that we all leave with a greater understanding of the city we live in. Reach me at mackenzie@kcur.org.
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Danie Alexander
As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.
See stories by Danie Alexander