July 28, 2025 • 18 mins
Sheila Ellis-Glasper of Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills shares how her organization has distributed over $114,000 in grants to business owners of color and launched a groundbreaking loan fund with a 4% interest rate. She unveils plans for the Yuma Street Cultural Center, the first Kansas initiative combining African-American heritage, entrepreneurship support, and cultural preservation while revealing fascinating historical connections, including Dr. King's impromptu Yuma Street speech.
• Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills has graduated over 20 entrepreneurs through a 12-week Kauffman Foundation business training program
• The Elevate and Empower Loan Fund offers entrepreneurs up to $15,000 at just 4% interest
• Yuma Street contains rich but often overlooked history, including visits from Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis, and Lena Horne
• The Woods family (including Tiger Woods' father, Earl Woods) was among Manhattan's first African-American settlers
• The inaugural Yuma Street Cultural Festival takes place August 31st from 1-9 pm with free admission, food, dancing, and historic tours
• The $2.3 million Yuma Street Cultural Center project is planned to open by 2027 in the historic Shepherd's Chapel building
• The Center will feature event space, entrepreneurial resources, a commercial kitchen, and a rotating restaurant incubator
Learn more or contribute to these initiatives at blackflinthills.com and yumastreet.org.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Philanthropy Today is brought to you by the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation.
In this episode we feature arecently broadcast segment of
the GMCF Community Hour as heardon NewsRadio KMAN.
We are back.
This is the GMCF Community Houron NewsRadio KMAN.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Essentially I'm a Kansas State University grad.
That's what brought me toManhattan and got into marketing
and started a branding andconsulting agency and then found
some resource gaps that weneeded for entrepreneurs here in
our area, in particularlyentrepreneurs of color, and so
essentially we became part ofthe solution in starting the
(00:42):
organization Black Entrepreneursof the Flint Hills and our work
essentially is all focused onequitable economic mobility and
then partnering up with DaveBaker and Sonia Baker on the
Yuma Street Cultural Center andnow Entrepreneurial Hub.
So we're really excited tobring those two visions together
(01:02):
and what it's going to mean forthis community.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Excited to bring those two visions together and
what it's going to mean for thiscommunity.
That's a fascinating dynamic.
You know from what I rememberwhen I was here in the 80s and
what Yuma Street looked likedown in that area and where it
is today.
You know, in the statues thatyou have there in front of the
Douglas Center.
I just love those.
Oh, yes, and you know it'sreally nice work that Tim
Chapman did.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Chapman did and and uh, actually, my godfather's
father and, uh, mother, um, mygodfather, lazon Gray's junior
in Topeka, that he and my fathermet at Washburn university when
they were studying there.
So Lazon Gray senior isactually my, I guess, grand
godfather.
Well, lots of it's.
(01:41):
It's a small world, it is.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
It is, but it just adds a lot to the dynamic and I
think that there's a lot ofpeople that don't understand
what tremendous history uh thatwe have down there, the douglas
center, and that uh yuma area.
And you know, and you talkedabout dave and sonja and dave is
uh talked endlessly about.
You know the work that uh hasbeen done, a lot of history.
He's done a lot of preservationfor that and told a lot of
(02:04):
preservation for that.
Yes, he has and told a lot ofstories about that.
And you know they're just twowonderfully great people.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
For sure, certainly.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
I mean they're just adorable together too, yes.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
You know, yes, we're blessed to have them in our
community, for sure.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
So what kind of an impact do you feel like you've
made so far?
Yes, for sure.
Well, specifically with theorganization Black Entrepreneurs
of the Flint Hills, or theacronym BEFH, we have been able
to distribute over $114,000 ingrant funds to locally owned
business owners of color in ourregion, and those dollars have
gone directly to help themexpand or start their businesses
(02:48):
, and so those dollars then goback and impact our community.
We've been able to graduateover 20 entrepreneurs through
our 12-week business trainingclass through the Kauffman
Foundation, and so thosebusinesses are able to graduate
with a business plan, financialprojections and then also
partnering up with the chamber,as well as Innovate24, gmcf and
(03:13):
the city, we were able to andalso Network Kansas statewide.
We were able to launch theElevate and Empower Loan Fund,
so now any entrepreneur in ourarea can access up to $15,000 at
a 4% interest rate, which isalmost unheard of to start their
business and to grow theirbusiness, and so there has been
(03:34):
a tremendous impact and itreally shows when you are
looking at where the disparitiesare the worst.
That really uplifts the entirecommunity so we can make a
bigger economic impact.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, what are you seeing?
Some trends in theentrepreneurial spirit of
individuals, because you know,you have, you know, such a
fascinating background ofindividuals and quite a
selection of individuals thatall have different dreams and
aspirations.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
I would say the entrepreneurial landscape in our
area has certainly grown.
When you look at just the easeof being able to access tech
part of our Commerce Uplift12-week business training we
just went over to the K-StateSunderland Innovation Lab and
just to be able to see the techthat's available.
(04:25):
If you want to start a podcast,if you want to create digital
content, you don't have to spendthousands of dollars on
equipment.
You can access it in thecommunity.
I really think that just beingable to start a business is
easier than it has been before.
There aren't as many barriersand, with organizations that are
putting the needs ofentrepreneurs first in our
(04:47):
community specifically, it'sbecoming easier to access those
resources and statewideresources as well for those
businesses, and so I think now'sthe best time to be able to
start a business and get accessto the resources you need to
actually be successful.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
You have some examples of some individuals
that are out there on their owndoing their thing.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yes, for sure.
An example that I love to shareis Therapy and Hungry.
Chickpea.
I absolutely love them.
I knew Tiffany even beforehandat the farmer's market when my
son, trey, who has this lemonadebusiness, trey Squeeze Lemonade
, we met there at the farmer'smarket.
(05:30):
But as far as Therapy andHungry Chickpea, they are an
example of two businesses in thecommunity that was able to take
advantage of that Elevate andEmpower fund.
They're able to expand into akitchen on the second floor to
expand the therapy operations.
Hungry Chickpea, who is one ofour members in BFH.
They've been able to accesstechnical assistance grants to
(05:53):
grow their business.
And Mario, who's a chef, hasbeen a chef at many restaurants
in this area.
Has contributed, I believe, alot to kind of training
up-and-coming chefs and now tohave the opportunity to realize
his dream of having his ownspace and his own restaurant.
His wife is a nutritionist atK-State and so it's being able
(06:14):
to invest in those folks and notonly improves the quality of
life around us to be able tohave, you know, their services
in the community but it helpsthem to realize their dreams and
just be happier.
You know their services in thecommunity but it helps them to
realize their dreams and just behappier you know, as people to
be able to pursue those.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
What methods are you utilizing to reach out to
entrepreneurs, sure To to learnmore about the work that you do
and how you can help them.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Sure, and so our website is just
blackflinthillscom, and soanybody can access the website.
We have our grind and growthprogram that is open to the
community.
We have two workshops a month,and those workshops are all
around mindset, money andmarketing all three things that
entrepreneurs need, but thenalso people in the community as
(07:04):
well, and so you could look usup on social media and you can
find that information there.
You can find our directorythere, so you could find the
businesses that we've workedwith, and you can also get
involved in the differentactivities and events we have.
Actually, next month, we havethe Yuma Street Cultural
Festival happening on August31st in the historic Yuma Street
(07:26):
District, and we're reallyexcited to invite the entire
community out for that.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
You know, and you may have figured this out by now,
but Almost every question thatI've asked you does not relate
to what's going on with that,and that was the primary purpose
of you coming in here today wasto talk about the Yuma Street
Cultural Festival, and let'sstep back a little bit and let's
talk a little bit about thathistory, because it's so
(07:53):
poignant.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Sure, sure and so really, as you mentioned the
Yuma Street Historic District,we really have a lot of deep
roots in the Manhattan area.
You can, I always love to usesome of the heavy history
hitters.
I would say like Dr King gavehis last university speech at
K-State, then he came on to YumaStreet because he asked where
(08:15):
are my people, and he gave animpromptu speech on Yuma Street.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
I had never heard that.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yes, I did not know that.
Yes, a lot of people don't know, and so there were actually no
photos, but it is all recountedin the 140 Years of Soul book
that I highly recommend if youwant to learn more about the
very rich African-Americanculture and history in Manhattan
.
Also, earl Woods, tiger Woods'father.
(08:44):
A lot of folks know that storybut they may not know that the
Woods family was actually one ofthe very first African-American
families that came to Manhattanlooking for to start their life
after slavery, and they werepart of the exodusters that came
first nine families and sothere is so much history there
(09:05):
as well.
In addition to the USO forcolored soldiers that brought a
lot of folks like JackieRobinson, joe Lewis, even Lena
Horne.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Lena Horne.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Lena Horne came and performed at the Douglas Center.
Yes, uso.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
And I'm learning a lot from you today.
We need to hang out more.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Well, mr Baker and Mrs Baker would probably be
proud, because that's where Ilearned a- lot of this history
from.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Well, they're good teachers.
Yes, they're good teachers,great community players, and you
know that.
So I knew about Joe Lewis andJackie Robinson that have hung
out there.
You know that.
So I I knew about Joe Lewis andJackie Robinson that have hung
out there.
You know, and and I knew aboutEarl Woods, but boy, you've
introduced me to a lot of newthings here.
So you've got this culturalfestival coming up on the 31st.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (09:50):
doing this morning.
Yeah, labor day weekend, that'sa Sunday.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
I'm doing pretty good .
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, on labor day weekend, that's a Sunday.
So we have a K-State home gamethat Saturday on the 30th and
then, yeah, stick around for thefestival.
It'd be from 1 to 9 pm on thatYuma Street, 900 block of Yuma
Street, so that whole DouglasCenter complex.
We have over a thousand peopleon the Facebook event.
We're so excited.
(10:16):
And it's just going to be agreat time for the community to
come together to learn about therich history of Yuma Street.
We'll be giving some of thehistoric tours as well, as there
will be lots of food.
Dancing We'll have some soulline dancing classes, even
bachata.
We'll have a two-step class andthen we'll have the Divine Nine
(10:37):
Greek stroll off with ourhistorically black fraternities
and sororities around town areyou doing boots on the ground?
Yes, we're gonna do boots onthe ground as well you're
surprised that I would know that.
No, I'm not, hey, that showsit's spreading it is, it is it
is you know.
I don't know how to do it, butoh well, you should come to the
festival so you can learn dave,you know what I'm going to tell
(10:59):
you this.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
I don't have any obligations that day, okay, at
least not as of yet.
So, uh, I'm going to have to.
We're gonna have to talk aboutthat.
In fact, I have a?
Uh, one of my dear friends.
Uh, she's a longtime radiopersonality.
We met in Salina.
She was 15 and then she startedworking at the radio station I
(11:20):
was at and I trained her andshe's gone on to win a number of
state awards in broadcasting.
She's in Kansas City now andher family was part of the
Exodusters that settled in ohgoodness what community.
It's in Morris County, okay, Ican't remember the name of the
community, but she's been herefor a number of the Juneteenth
(11:42):
things.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Okay, that's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
So I'm going to put a bug in Danielle's ear and say,
hey, you've got to come downhere for this Cause that I think
she we'd have a great timetogether.
She's just a blast.
You need to know her.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Okay, I would love that connection.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Yeah, okay, so so it's one to nine on the 31st.
Yes, what else do I need?
Is there an admission charge?
Speaker 2 (12:03):
No, it's open and free to the community.
We just want to bring someawareness to the Yuma street
Cultural Center project.
We are slated to start phaseone on the renovations of the
building this fall and we justgot approved for community
service tax credits through theDepartment of Commerce and we've
had a lot of great support fromthe community, from GMCF,
(12:25):
through our Grow Green Match Daycampaign and we're just pushing
forward with that renovation.
As you mentioned earlier, a lotof that history folks just
don't know how much rich historythere is on Yuma and this will
really be a space dedicated tohonoring that legacy, where
people can actually come into aspace and be able to experience
(12:46):
that history, but then also forthe community of people that are
here being able to offer thoseopportunities for folks to learn
about entrepreneurship, tolearn about financial literacy.
We're going to have programs andexpand our programs around
mental wellness, and so it willbe a space that's honoring that
(13:06):
legacy of the past.
But then, you know, lookingtoward the future and building
the future, so we want to bringpeople onto the street so they
can see and feel the energy, andthis is the inaugural festival.
So our goal is, for each LaborDay weekend we would have this
on in the same area, bringingthat awareness to the point
(13:27):
where, in the next year or two,the cultural center will
actually be open and we willcontinue, you know, bringing
folks onto Yuma street.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
When you say cultural center, is that a physical
space?
That and is that in the Douglascenter?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
It is going to be at um the corner of um ninth and
Yuma right, there Is it thechurch that?
Yes, it's the old shepherd'schapel.
That was the Mason's Lodgebefore then.
It has a big blue wood over the.
Yes, that is the building thatwill be the future home of the
Yuma Street Cultural Center andEntrepreneur Hub.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
What's the time frame ?
Speaker 2 (14:02):
on that we are as long as everything continues,
because we are in the midst of acapital campaign.
So just a friendly plug you canlearn more on YumaStreetorg and
find ways to contribute to theproject.
Gmcf does have a fund set upfor Yuma Street Cultural Center.
It is a $2.3 million projectand it's broken up into four
(14:27):
phases, and so the biggest phaseis phase two and we're in that
thick of that piece of fourphases, and so the biggest phase
is phase two and we're in thatthick of that piece of the
funding.
And so, as far as timeline,we're looking at by 2027 that
the building will be open andfully operational.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Wow.
So this is kind of a first.
It is a first In the state ofKansas.
It is a first.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Yeah, and so the Yuma Street Cultural Center is
actually going to be the firstof its kind in Kansas, so it
will be the only initiative thatweaves together
African-American heritage,entrepreneurial support and
cultural preservation all underone roof.
And so, as far as what thebuilding is going to have, the
(15:15):
type of activities, there willbe a venue, space that people
can rent and utilize for events.
We'll have our own programs andevents that we typically do
through Black Entrepreneurs ofthe Flint Hills that would be
open to the community and justbe able to expand those
entrepreneurial resources aswell, as we'll have a commercial
kitchen space that can berented out, as well as a
(15:37):
rotating restaurant incubatorwhere people will be able to
come and explore those differentcultural foods.
It'll make it easier forentrepreneurs food entrepreneurs
to be able to launch theirbusiness with little overhead
and be able to really test andlaunch their food concepts
(15:57):
without, you know, getting intoa huge amount of debt in the
beginning.
And they'll get that trainingthey need, access they need to
the kitchen as well, as thecommunity will benefit from
having those different flavors.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Mm, hmm, okay.
Well, you said YumaStreetorggives you more information about
the YSCC and also your festivalthat you have on August 31st,
and for more information aboutthe Black Entrepreneurs of the
Flint Hills organization,blackflinthillscom.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Yes, sir, it's always great to have you in.
I learned so much from youtoday.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Thank you for doing that.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Thank you, Dave.
It's always great chatting withyou.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
And I earlier on K-Man, you know, during Beyond
Reason, with or with.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Within Reason.
Within Reason.
Thank you yes.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
You're close.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
With Mike.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Marshall Stewart was on talking about some of the
history of Kansas StateUniversity and how, you know,
k-state was a real leader interms of accepting blacks.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Oh yeah, and you know , and you know you talked about
Earl Woods, dave Baker, firstblack coach, black coach Minnie
Howell.
She's a Yuma Street legend aswell.
Minnie Howell, she was thefirst black female graduate of
K-State.
I believe, if I'm not mistaken,1901.
And she was the Douglas Centerdirector.
She went around the UnitedStates teaching as well and she
(17:28):
left her mark.
Her brother, charles Howell,did a lot of the stone work that
you'll see around town.
He did the cemetery, sunsetcemetery, um those gates with
the beautiful limestone.
He also did quite a bit of workon k state's campus as well and
and yuma street legends as wellwe all have a lot to learn,
(17:48):
don't we?
Speaker 1 (17:49):
we?
Oh yes, sheila, thanks forjoining us.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Dave Sheila.
Ellis Gasper of the BlackEntrepreneurs of the Flint Hills
joining us here talking aboutthe Yuma Street Cultural
Festival August 31st.
Amy Payton's going to bejoining us next.
Packages for Warriors.
They do some cool things too.
This is the GMCF Community Hourhere on NewsRadioMAN, brought
to you by the Greater ManhattanCommunity Foundation.
(18:13):
You can always find out moreabout the works of the
foundation at mcfksorg.
Philanthropy Today is brought to you by the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation.
In this episode we feature arecently broadcast segment of
the GMCF Community Hour as heardon NewsRadio KMAN.
We are back.
This is the GMCF Community Houron NewsRadio KMAN.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Essentially I'm a Kansas State University grad.
That's what brought me toManhattan and got into marketing
and started a branding andconsulting agency and then found
some resource gaps that weneeded for entrepreneurs here in
our area, in particularlyentrepreneurs of color, and so
essentially we became part ofthe solution in starting the
(00:42):
organization Black Entrepreneursof the Flint Hills and our work
essentially is all focused onequitable economic mobility and
then partnering up with DaveBaker and Sonia Baker on the
Yuma Street Cultural Center andnow Entrepreneurial Hub.
So we're really excited tobring those two visions together
(01:02):
and what it's going to mean forthis community.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Excited to bring those two visions together and
what it's going to mean for thiscommunity.
That's a fascinating dynamic.
You know from what I rememberwhen I was here in the 80s and
what Yuma Street looked likedown in that area and where it
is today.
You know, in the statues thatyou have there in front of the
Douglas Center.
I just love those.
Oh, yes, and you know it'sreally nice work that Tim
Chapman did.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Chapman did and and uh, actually, my godfather's
father and, uh, mother, um, mygodfather, lazon Gray's junior
in Topeka, that he and my fathermet at Washburn university when
they were studying there.
So Lazon Gray senior isactually my, I guess, grand
godfather.
Well, lots of it's.
(01:41):
It's a small world, it is.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
It is, but it just adds a lot to the dynamic and I
think that there's a lot ofpeople that don't understand
what tremendous history uh thatwe have down there, the douglas
center, and that uh yuma area.
And you know, and you talkedabout dave and sonja and dave is
uh talked endlessly about.
You know the work that uh hasbeen done, a lot of history.
He's done a lot of preservationfor that and told a lot of
(02:04):
preservation for that.
Yes, he has and told a lot ofstories about that.
And you know they're just twowonderfully great people.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
For sure, certainly.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
I mean they're just adorable together too, yes.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
You know, yes, we're blessed to have them in our
community, for sure.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
So what kind of an impact do you feel like you've
made so far?
Yes, for sure.
Well, specifically with theorganization Black Entrepreneurs
of the Flint Hills, or theacronym BEFH, we have been able
to distribute over $114,000 ingrant funds to locally owned
business owners of color in ourregion, and those dollars have
gone directly to help themexpand or start their businesses
(02:48):
, and so those dollars then goback and impact our community.
We've been able to graduateover 20 entrepreneurs through
our 12-week business trainingclass through the Kauffman
Foundation, and so thosebusinesses are able to graduate
with a business plan, financialprojections and then also
partnering up with the chamber,as well as Innovate24, gmcf and
(03:13):
the city, we were able to andalso Network Kansas statewide.
We were able to launch theElevate and Empower Loan Fund,
so now any entrepreneur in ourarea can access up to $15,000 at
a 4% interest rate, which isalmost unheard of to start their
business and to grow theirbusiness, and so there has been
(03:34):
a tremendous impact and itreally shows when you are
looking at where the disparitiesare the worst.
That really uplifts the entirecommunity so we can make a
bigger economic impact.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, what are you seeing?
Some trends in theentrepreneurial spirit of
individuals, because you know,you have, you know, such a
fascinating background ofindividuals and quite a
selection of individuals thatall have different dreams and
aspirations.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
I would say the entrepreneurial landscape in our
area has certainly grown.
When you look at just the easeof being able to access tech
part of our Commerce Uplift12-week business training we
just went over to the K-StateSunderland Innovation Lab and
just to be able to see the techthat's available.
(04:25):
If you want to start a podcast,if you want to create digital
content, you don't have to spendthousands of dollars on
equipment.
You can access it in thecommunity.
I really think that just beingable to start a business is
easier than it has been before.
There aren't as many barriersand, with organizations that are
putting the needs ofentrepreneurs first in our
(04:47):
community specifically, it'sbecoming easier to access those
resources and statewideresources as well for those
businesses, and so I think now'sthe best time to be able to
start a business and get accessto the resources you need to
actually be successful.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
You have some examples of some individuals
that are out there on their owndoing their thing.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yes, for sure.
An example that I love to shareis Therapy and Hungry.
Chickpea.
I absolutely love them.
I knew Tiffany even beforehandat the farmer's market when my
son, trey, who has this lemonadebusiness, trey Squeeze Lemonade
, we met there at the farmer'smarket.
(05:30):
But as far as Therapy andHungry Chickpea, they are an
example of two businesses in thecommunity that was able to take
advantage of that Elevate andEmpower fund.
They're able to expand into akitchen on the second floor to
expand the therapy operations.
Hungry Chickpea, who is one ofour members in BFH.
They've been able to accesstechnical assistance grants to
(05:53):
grow their business.
And Mario, who's a chef, hasbeen a chef at many restaurants
in this area.
Has contributed, I believe, alot to kind of training
up-and-coming chefs and now tohave the opportunity to realize
his dream of having his ownspace and his own restaurant.
His wife is a nutritionist atK-State and so it's being able
(06:14):
to invest in those folks and notonly improves the quality of
life around us to be able tohave, you know, their services
in the community but it helpsthem to realize their dreams and
just be happier.
You know their services in thecommunity but it helps them to
realize their dreams and just behappier you know, as people to
be able to pursue those.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
What methods are you utilizing to reach out to
entrepreneurs, sure To to learnmore about the work that you do
and how you can help them.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Sure, and so our website is just
blackflinthillscom, and soanybody can access the website.
We have our grind and growthprogram that is open to the
community.
We have two workshops a month,and those workshops are all
around mindset, money andmarketing all three things that
entrepreneurs need, but thenalso people in the community as
(07:04):
well, and so you could look usup on social media and you can
find that information there.
You can find our directorythere, so you could find the
businesses that we've workedwith, and you can also get
involved in the differentactivities and events we have.
Actually, next month, we havethe Yuma Street Cultural
Festival happening on August31st in the historic Yuma Street
(07:26):
District, and we're reallyexcited to invite the entire
community out for that.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
You know, and you may have figured this out by now,
but Almost every question thatI've asked you does not relate
to what's going on with that,and that was the primary purpose
of you coming in here today wasto talk about the Yuma Street
Cultural Festival, and let'sstep back a little bit and let's
talk a little bit about thathistory, because it's so
(07:53):
poignant.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Sure, sure and so really, as you mentioned the
Yuma Street Historic District,we really have a lot of deep
roots in the Manhattan area.
You can, I always love to usesome of the heavy history
hitters.
I would say like Dr King gavehis last university speech at
K-State, then he came on to YumaStreet because he asked where
(08:15):
are my people, and he gave animpromptu speech on Yuma Street.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
I had never heard that.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yes, I did not know that.
Yes, a lot of people don't know, and so there were actually no
photos, but it is all recountedin the 140 Years of Soul book
that I highly recommend if youwant to learn more about the
very rich African-Americanculture and history in Manhattan
.
Also, earl Woods, tiger Woods'father.
(08:44):
A lot of folks know that storybut they may not know that the
Woods family was actually one ofthe very first African-American
families that came to Manhattanlooking for to start their life
after slavery, and they werepart of the exodusters that came
first nine families and sothere is so much history there
(09:05):
as well.
In addition to the USO forcolored soldiers that brought a
lot of folks like JackieRobinson, joe Lewis, even Lena
Horne.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Lena Horne.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Lena Horne came and performed at the Douglas Center.
Yes, uso.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
And I'm learning a lot from you today.
We need to hang out more.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Well, mr Baker and Mrs Baker would probably be
proud, because that's where Ilearned a- lot of this history
from.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Well, they're good teachers.
Yes, they're good teachers,great community players, and you
know that.
So I knew about Joe Lewis andJackie Robinson that have hung
out there.
You know that.
So I I knew about Joe Lewis andJackie Robinson that have hung
out there.
You know, and and I knew aboutEarl Woods, but boy, you've
introduced me to a lot of newthings here.
So you've got this culturalfestival coming up on the 31st.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (09:50):
doing this morning.
Yeah, labor day weekend, that'sa Sunday.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
I'm doing pretty good .
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, on labor day weekend, that's a Sunday.
So we have a K-State home gamethat Saturday on the 30th and
then, yeah, stick around for thefestival.
It'd be from 1 to 9 pm on thatYuma Street, 900 block of Yuma
Street, so that whole DouglasCenter complex.
We have over a thousand peopleon the Facebook event.
We're so excited.
(10:16):
And it's just going to be agreat time for the community to
come together to learn about therich history of Yuma Street.
We'll be giving some of thehistoric tours as well, as there
will be lots of food.
Dancing We'll have some soulline dancing classes, even
bachata.
We'll have a two-step class andthen we'll have the Divine Nine
(10:37):
Greek stroll off with ourhistorically black fraternities
and sororities around town areyou doing boots on the ground?
Yes, we're gonna do boots onthe ground as well you're
surprised that I would know that.
No, I'm not, hey, that showsit's spreading it is, it is it
is you know.
I don't know how to do it, butoh well, you should come to the
festival so you can learn dave,you know what I'm going to tell
(10:59):
you this.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
I don't have any obligations that day, okay, at
least not as of yet.
So, uh, I'm going to have to.
We're gonna have to talk aboutthat.
In fact, I have a?
Uh, one of my dear friends.
Uh, she's a longtime radiopersonality.
We met in Salina.
She was 15 and then she startedworking at the radio station I
(11:20):
was at and I trained her andshe's gone on to win a number of
state awards in broadcasting.
She's in Kansas City now andher family was part of the
Exodusters that settled in ohgoodness what community.
It's in Morris County, okay, Ican't remember the name of the
community, but she's been herefor a number of the Juneteenth
(11:42):
things.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Okay, that's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
So I'm going to put a bug in Danielle's ear and say,
hey, you've got to come downhere for this Cause that I think
she we'd have a great timetogether.
She's just a blast.
You need to know her.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Okay, I would love that connection.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Yeah, okay, so so it's one to nine on the 31st.
Yes, what else do I need?
Is there an admission charge?
Speaker 2 (12:03):
No, it's open and free to the community.
We just want to bring someawareness to the Yuma street
Cultural Center project.
We are slated to start phaseone on the renovations of the
building this fall and we justgot approved for community
service tax credits through theDepartment of Commerce and we've
had a lot of great support fromthe community, from GMCF,
(12:25):
through our Grow Green Match Daycampaign and we're just pushing
forward with that renovation.
As you mentioned earlier, a lotof that history folks just
don't know how much rich historythere is on Yuma and this will
really be a space dedicated tohonoring that legacy, where
people can actually come into aspace and be able to experience
(12:46):
that history, but then also forthe community of people that are
here being able to offer thoseopportunities for folks to learn
about entrepreneurship, tolearn about financial literacy.
We're going to have programs andexpand our programs around
mental wellness, and so it willbe a space that's honoring that
(13:06):
legacy of the past.
But then, you know, lookingtoward the future and building
the future, so we want to bringpeople onto the street so they
can see and feel the energy, andthis is the inaugural festival.
So our goal is, for each LaborDay weekend we would have this
on in the same area, bringingthat awareness to the point
(13:27):
where, in the next year or two,the cultural center will
actually be open and we willcontinue, you know, bringing
folks onto Yuma street.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
When you say cultural center, is that a physical
space?
That and is that in the Douglascenter?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
It is going to be at um the corner of um ninth and
Yuma right, there Is it thechurch that?
Yes, it's the old shepherd'schapel.
That was the Mason's Lodgebefore then.
It has a big blue wood over the.
Yes, that is the building thatwill be the future home of the
Yuma Street Cultural Center andEntrepreneur Hub.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
What's the time frame ?
Speaker 2 (14:02):
on that we are as long as everything continues,
because we are in the midst of acapital campaign.
So just a friendly plug you canlearn more on YumaStreetorg and
find ways to contribute to theproject.
Gmcf does have a fund set upfor Yuma Street Cultural Center.
It is a $2.3 million projectand it's broken up into four
(14:27):
phases, and so the biggest phaseis phase two and we're in that
thick of that piece of fourphases, and so the biggest phase
is phase two and we're in thatthick of that piece of the
funding.
And so, as far as timeline,we're looking at by 2027 that
the building will be open andfully operational.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Wow.
So this is kind of a first.
It is a first In the state ofKansas.
It is a first.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Yeah, and so the Yuma Street Cultural Center is
actually going to be the firstof its kind in Kansas, so it
will be the only initiative thatweaves together
African-American heritage,entrepreneurial support and
cultural preservation all underone roof.
And so, as far as what thebuilding is going to have, the
(15:15):
type of activities, there willbe a venue, space that people
can rent and utilize for events.
We'll have our own programs andevents that we typically do
through Black Entrepreneurs ofthe Flint Hills that would be
open to the community and justbe able to expand those
entrepreneurial resources aswell, as we'll have a commercial
kitchen space that can berented out, as well as a
(15:37):
rotating restaurant incubatorwhere people will be able to
come and explore those differentcultural foods.
It'll make it easier forentrepreneurs food entrepreneurs
to be able to launch theirbusiness with little overhead
and be able to really test andlaunch their food concepts
(15:57):
without, you know, getting intoa huge amount of debt in the
beginning.
And they'll get that trainingthey need, access they need to
the kitchen as well, as thecommunity will benefit from
having those different flavors.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Mm, hmm, okay.
Well, you said YumaStreetorggives you more information about
the YSCC and also your festivalthat you have on August 31st,
and for more information aboutthe Black Entrepreneurs of the
Flint Hills organization,blackflinthillscom.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Yes, sir, it's always great to have you in.
I learned so much from youtoday.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Thank you for doing that.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Thank you, Dave.
It's always great chatting withyou.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
And I earlier on K-Man, you know, during Beyond
Reason, with or with.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Within Reason.
Within Reason.
Thank you yes.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
You're close.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
With Mike.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Marshall Stewart was on talking about some of the
history of Kansas StateUniversity and how, you know,
k-state was a real leader interms of accepting blacks.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Oh yeah, and you know , and you know you talked about
Earl Woods, dave Baker, firstblack coach, black coach Minnie
Howell.
She's a Yuma Street legend aswell.
Minnie Howell, she was thefirst black female graduate of
K-State.
I believe, if I'm not mistaken,1901.
And she was the Douglas Centerdirector.
She went around the UnitedStates teaching as well and she
(17:28):
left her mark.
Her brother, charles Howell,did a lot of the stone work that
you'll see around town.
He did the cemetery, sunsetcemetery, um those gates with
the beautiful limestone.
He also did quite a bit of workon k state's campus as well and
and yuma street legends as wellwe all have a lot to learn,
(17:48):
don't we?
Speaker 1 (17:49):
we?
Oh yes, sheila, thanks forjoining us.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Dave Sheila.
Ellis Gasper of the BlackEntrepreneurs of the Flint Hills
joining us here talking aboutthe Yuma Street Cultural
Festival August 31st.
Amy Payton's going to bejoining us next.
Packages for Warriors.
They do some cool things too.
This is the GMCF Community Hourhere on NewsRadioMAN, brought
to you by the Greater ManhattanCommunity Foundation.
(18:13):
You can always find out moreabout the works of the
foundation at mcfksorg.
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