The Dunbar Neighborhood is the first suburban neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri where African American families could buy their own homes on a piece of land, in a community built by Black entrepreneurs. Founded in the first decade of the 20th century, the area had hundreds of homes by the late 1920s. Centered around a private amusement space named Liberty Park, the area grew because of African American ingenuity and resilience. Despite tornados, floods and other disasters, the area remained a center for African American leadership during the past one hundred years. Named after the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, the area includes layers of architectural history including bungalow homes from the 1920s, and a few mid-century gems. The Dunbar Park features a unique structured designed by architect Elpidio Rocha, one of the first Mexican American designers to work in Kansas City, Missouri in the 1950s. Through partnerships with universities, including UMKC Center for Neighborhoods, the leadership of the neighborhood is laying the groundwork for a new generation of community-building and innovation. Join us to learn more about the restoration of this unique legacy neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri.