From Kansas City to Bel-Air

By Nomin Ujiyediin,

Published March 18, 2022 at 4:00 AM CDT

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Harold Smith, an artist from Kansas City, Kansas, is having something of a mid-career moment, with his works appearing in museums and on the new TV show "Bel-Air." Plus, how the new Kansas City health director is addressing COVID-19, low morale in health workers, and gun violence.

Kansas City artist Harold Smith is on a roll. For decades, he’s been creating his colorful paintings and multimedia works out of his living room in Kansas City, Kansas. And now, they’re featured in the new TV show “Bel-Air,”a dramatic re-boot of the sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" that's airing on Peacock. KCUR’s Laura Spencer brings us this story.

In February, Dr. Marvia Jones stepped into the role of health director of Kansas City, Missouri, making history as the first Black woman appointed to the position. Jones recently appeared on KCUR's Up To Date with Steve Kraske, where she shared how the Health Department will be changing its approach to COVID-19, and gun violence as an urgent public health matter.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love with Trevor Grandin and edited by Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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