A People's History of Kansas City

An American Dream at Parade Park

By Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga,

Published August 10, 2022 at 3:00 AM CDT

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As Kansas City’s first Black-owned housing co-op, Parade Park helped residents pursue the American Dream of owning a home and building a community. But after 60 years, it’s uncertain if it can survive foreclosure and redevelopment.

Read more about how Parade Park offered Black Kansas City families a path to home ownership from KCUR's Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga.

This episode of A People's History of Kansas City was reported and produced by Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga, with editing by Suzanne Hogan, Barb Shelly and Mackenzie Martin. Sound design and mix by intern Paris Norvell.

A People's History of Kansas City

Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga

Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga is a freelance reporter for KCUR 89.3.

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Suzanne Hogan

Every part of the present has been shaped by actions that took place in the past, but too often that context is left out. As a podcast producer for KCUR Studios and host of the podcast A People’s History of Kansas City, I aim to provide context, clarity, empathy and deeper, nuanced perspectives on how the events and people in the past have shaped our community today. In that role, and as an occasional announcer and reporter, I want to entertain, inform, make you think, expose something new and cultivate a deeper shared human connection about how the passage of time affects us all. Reach me at hogansm@kcur.org.

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Paris Rex Norvell

Paris Norvell is a freelance podcast producer for KCUR Studios,

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