Roy Wilkins
News editor, 1923-1931, of The Kansas City Call. This plaque is dedicated in honor of his contributions to journalism and equality while he served as a journalist and, later, as leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He challenged segregation and racism wherever he encountered it. Placed by the joint efforts of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, (Region 7 and Kansas City Chapter), July 5, 1984.
"The task then for every American who loves his country is to speed the day when none will be excluded from the enjoyment of her precious bounty and the riches of her spirit."
-- Roy Wilkins, March 29, 1967, accepting the 1967 Freedom Award
Erected 1984 by Kansas City Association of Black Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi Region 7 and its Kansas City Chapter.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Communications. A significant historical date for this entry is July 5, 1984.
Location. 39° 5.463′ N, 94° 33.689′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in the East Side. It is on 18th Street east of Woodland Avenue, on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kansas City Call (here, next to this marker); Ms. Myra Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); Mutual Musicians Association Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (about 400 feet away); American Jazz Museum (about 400 feet away); John "Buck" O'Neil Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kansas City Fire Station No. 11 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Richard Thomas Coles / R.T. Coles Vocational and Junior High School (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Roy Wilkins. MNopedia website entry (Submitted on October 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Roy Wilkins Material at JFK Library. JFK Presidential Library website entry (Submitted on October 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Roy Wilkins on Face the Nation. YouTube video (2m 44s) (Submitted on October 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 565 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on December 17, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on October 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
