Now More Than Ever: Why We’re Building the Yuma Street Cultural Center Reclaiming our legacy. Rising together.
Across the nation, cultural institutions—particularly those centered on Black and marginalized communities—are under fire. From book bans and curriculum restrictions to last week’s executive order targeting cultural centers, we’re witnessing a coordinated effort to silence, erase, and politicize the histories that built this country.
But in the face of erasure, we are choosing visibility.
Here in Manhattan, Kansas—where no formal cultural center currently exists—we are boldly stepping into that gap. We are creating the Yuma Street Cultural Center (YSCC): a space rooted in history, built for the present, and designed for generations to come.
This center isn’t just a physical place—it’s a commitment to truth, culture, and belonging. It’s a sanctuary where our entrepreneurs can grow businesses, where students can engage with the untold stories of their community, and where families can gather to celebrate legacy and build new memories.
Why Cultural Centers Matter
Cultural centers improve quality of life—not just for one group of people, but for entire communities.
They build empathy and cross-cultural understanding by showcasing diverse histories and traditions.
They drive economic development by supporting local creatives, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
They create safe spaces for learning, healing, and connection, especially for historically excluded communities.
And they give young people the representation and role models they deserve to see.
Cities that invest in cultural infrastructure are investing in vibrant, inclusive, and resilient communities. They’re saying, “You belong here. Your story matters.”
Why Now, and Why Manhattan?
Manhattan is rich in culture, history, and community—but there is no central space that reflects the full story of who we are. For too long, Black stories have been left out of the narrative.
Yuma Street was once the heartbeat of Black life in Manhattan. It was home to the first Black students at K-State, the first Black-owned businesses, and some of the city’s most resilient families and leaders. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. even stopped on Yuma Street to speak during his final university visit before he was assassinated.
The Yuma Street Cultural Center will honor that legacy while shaping the future. It will serve as the headquarters for Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills (BEFH) and feature:
A business incubator and rotating retail space
A restaurant and commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs
Historical exhibits and art installations
A digital equity hub and co-working space
And dynamic programming to uplift culture, commerce, and community
Reclaim & Rise with Us
This is a defining moment—not just for BEFH, but for the entire Flint Hills region and the state of Kansas. As cultural institutions face attacks nationwide, we are choosing to build. We are choosing to preserve our history. And we are choosing to empower our community.
This is about more than a building. It’s about declaring that our stories belong, and that our future will not be built on silence—but on truth, equity, and pride.
Join us in reclaiming our legacy and rising together.
Learn more and donate to the campaign:
https://www.blackflinthills.com/yuma