Accomplishments

Cultural Programs/Events

Hosting Annual Kwanzaa Celebration programs for Liberty School District students, parents and the community—2004-2008
Presenting Dr. Donald Matthews in a ONE MAN SHOW Portrayal of “York” for the Liberty, MO Lewis and Clark Celebration, 2004
Hosting Annual Liberty Community Black History Programs 2004-2008
Renewing and hosting annual Clay County/ Liberty Juneteenth Celebrations at Garrison School 2004-2007
Hosting Homecoming Reception for First African American Graduates of William Jewell College, 2005
Hosting Liberty School District Minority Teachers Reception 2007

Educational Programs/Events

Sponsoring The Lion and the Unicorn Reading/Literacy Program with Target Corporation. and William Jewell College Mortar Board, 2006-2008
Partnering with First Baptist Church and Grace Episcopal Church of Liberty to provide family education courses on parenting and family counseling in 2003 and 2004
Developing and supporting an Academic Tutoring program for 26 Liberty School District Elementary and Middle School Students 2004-2006
Hosting parent support group meetings for minority students in Liberty School District 2004-2005

Publications and Speaking Engagements

Published chapter on the “African American Heritage of Liberty” in the Liberty For All 175th Celebration book. The chapter was written by CCAAL Inc., Historian, Dr. Cecelia A. Robinson, 2004
Published newspaper articles in Liberty Tribune and Liberty Sun on the Black Heritage of Liberty and Clay County African American Pioneers: Katie Brooks, Fred Ellett, by CCAAL Historian, Dr. Cecelia A. Robinson, February 2000-2006
Annual lectures on the African American Heritage of Clay County by CCAAL Inc. Historian, Dr. Cecelia A. Robinson: Clay County schools, churches, William Jewell College and community groups 2000-06
Hosted a Juneteenth Essay Contest for community Youth 2005. Winning Essay was published in Liberty Tribune newspaper
Presented a Dramatic performance of excerpts from the Emmett Till story at Garrison School in 2005
Facilitated a presentation by Garrison alumni of their success stories to Liberty Middle and High School Students in 2003 and 2004 at South Valley School in Liberty, Missouri, and at Winnetonka High School in North Kansas City, Missouri

Grants Funded

YOP $75,000 Tax Credit Grant from the Missouri State Department of Economics in 2008
$6,500.00 in grant money from the Target Corporation in support of the Lion and the Unicorn Reading/Literacy Program for community youth 2005-2008
$2,000.00 in grant money from the Harvest Ball, 2007
$2,999.00 grant from Home Depot Corporation, 2005
$250.00 grant from the Northland Arts Coalition in 2005
$1,000.00 from Bedinger’s Furniture, 2005
$10,000 in grant money from the Kansas City, Missouri, Sesquicentennial 150th Celebration of the Heart” Community Foundation, 2000

Major Projects

Erected a $40,000 Freedom Fountain Legacy Monument on the historic Clay County Courthouse square in Liberty, Missouri, 2001
Commissioned local Clay County artist, David McClain, to paint a public mural based on the African American pioneers listed on the back of the Freedom Fountain monument in 2001
Hosted a mural unveiling and dedication reception for the Clay County African American mural with the Clay County Commission. The 8x10 ft. public mural now hangs on the third floor of the Clay County old Administration Building on the Liberty Square-2002.
Purchased the 1877 historic Garrison School building from the Liberty School District in March of 2003. Garrison School is now listed on the national, state, and local registry as a historic Clay County landmark.
Partnered with Liberty Christian Academy for a one year lease of Garrison School 2004-2005
Partnered with the Sanctuary Apostolic Church for a yearly lease of Garrison School, 2005-2008

Fundraising Projects

Coordinated and sponsored a Brick Paver Fundraising project to build a Legacy Freedom Fountain 2000-2001- (Successfully raised $45,000 to cover cost through selling pavers at $50.00 each)
Sponsored a wall of Patron Plaques for $500.00-1,000 donors to Garrison (Wall located on 1st floor level of the building
Hosted “An Evening with Kansas City Monarch Baseball Legend Buck O’Neal” (Fundraising Event to provide funds for an academic enhancement program and to purchase a heating and cooling system for the Garrison Center) 2004
Sponsored a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and open gym dates during the summer of 2004

Partnerships