The Black American Blueprint Collective 's mission is to create pride, self-esteem, dignity, honor and respect within the Black community of Topeka. The organization is bringing members of the community together through such programs and events as peace and poetry nights, informational mixers, history presentations and more. Sherri Camp, project director, said the organization formed in 2021, around the time of the Brown v. Board of Education's 67th anniversary, after she and her constituents realized there was a need to tell the "rich history" of the Black community in Topeka. "We formed because we wanted to be in charge of our own story but also to bring our community together around our story, so that we can have resilience, confidence and be supportive. To celebrate us," Camp told The Capital-Journal.
'Our Stories' exhibit on display at The Great Overland Station
"Our Stories" is an exhibit formed by the BABC at the Great Overland Station, 701 N. Kansas Ave., with a display of timelines, informational signs and facts of the personal stories of Topekans who lived through key moments in history. Those who visit the exhibit will see information about the city's former neighborhood, "The Bottoms," prominent Black Topeka newspaper editor Nick Chiles, the first African-Americans to hold leadership roles and more. The exhibit also provides a video presentation of Topekans who share their stories of being students when the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Brown v. Board of Education case. "Topeka is the seed of a lot of African-Americans who have moved across the country and the world, but we don't even know our own stories. We're not telling our stories," said Camp. "The thing is, this exhibit only tells a fraction of the stories." The exhibit was first displayed at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library and then the Brown v. Board of Education site. It's been at the Great Overland Station since August 2024 and will be through August 2025.
Understanding a foundation has been laid
"We just want to make sure that our community knows that there is a foundation laid," said Camp. "There's so many of us that are working together anyway, but to have something that we can move forward and push us forward into the future is what we're working toward." Camp said the organization has been recognized for its work since 2021. The organization has also had re-dedications for Exoduster's Street, Nick Chiles Memorial Bridge and the Lucinda Todd Memorial Bridge. The BABC website encourages members of the community to share stories that haven't been told and may be a significant piece of African-American history in Topeka. Camp said the organization is also always open to those interested in being involved. "There's still so much more information about our community that we don't know," Camp said. "There's just so much that we need to continually communicate."
