Attorney General's News Release

July 11, 2006

Nixon to hold public hearing to address future of Kansas City's Black Archives

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon announced today that his office will hold a hearing to create a public record on the status of the Black Archives, a non-profit corporation in Kansas City that is currently administratively dissolved. The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Helzberg Auditorium at the Kansas City Public Library, located at 14 W. Tenth Street.

This building at 2033 Vine St. in Kansas City is the current location of the Black Archives. View map.

The Black Archives is a collection of African-American historical items endowed from across the Midwest, including rare photographs, letters, documents and artwork. It was dissolved as a corporation by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office in January of this year for failure to file an annual report as required by law. Currently, the archives has only one board member and remains non-compliant with state law regarding reinstatement as a not-for-profit corporation in good standing.

“The Black Archives could be an asset to the greater Kansas City area and state of Missouri as an important piece of African-American history, especially if the board is infused with new members with a real stake in the organization's mission and future,” Nixon said. “A public hearing presents a great opportunity to receive the critical input of those in the community, which would serve to jumpstart a discussion of how to get this important institution back on its feet.”

In March, Nixon's office contacted the board of the Black Archives to advise them that the corporation had been administratively dissolved and that they had two options to become compliant with Missouri law. One option was to take the steps necessary to get reinstated as a not-for-profit corporation in good standing with the Secretary of State's Office; the other was to close down the operation and work with the State on a plan to distribute the assets. To date, the Black Archives has not gotten in compliance with the law as directed.

“The Black Archives possesses an untapped potential that has never been realized due to management problems,” Nixon said. “Getting the public involved could be the first step toward securing its future.”

Members of the public who are interested in testifying at the hearing should contact the Attorney General's Office by telephone at 816-889-5000 or by e-mail at ag@ago.mo.gov, and enter “Black Archives hearing” in the subject line.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818