The Library will soon house the Kansas City CALL’s more than 70,000 photographs and mixed files containing research material, clippings, and ephemera — the newspaper’s entire photograph archive.

“We are thrilled to provide a home to this vital collection that is permanent, accessible, and free to the community,” says Library Director and Chief Executive Abby Yellman. “This significant acquisition enhances our existing archives with one of the most extensive collections highlighting Kansas City’s Black history.” 

The CALL is a nationally renowned Black newspaper located in Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine jazz district. It began publishing in 1919 and covered civil rights, segregation, discrimination, and other important issues involving the African American community. The photos in the archive are both locally and nationally sourced, making it a true portrait of Black Kansas City and the U.S. over the past 100 years.

The Library and The CALL have a long history of partnership and mutual support. The Lucile H. Bluford Branch, which opened in 1988, is named for the longtime editor and publisher of the newspaper.

Bluford (1911-2003) started at The CALL as a copy editor, then became a cub reporter, desk editor, city editor, and in 1938, managing editor. She replaced founder Chester Franklin as editor-in-chief upon his death in 1955. In 1983, she became the owner and publisher.

Two years ago, the Library acquired The CALL’s digital archives, currently available to the public through digital resources. The new photograph collection spans the 1940s to the 2000s, with many images focused on the Civil Rights era, Black businesses, sports, entertainment, military service, and culture, and will be available at KCHistory.org.

“The CALL’s readership, coverage, and influence have historically extended beyond Kansas City,” says Jeremy Drouin, the Library’s special collections manager. “This archival collection — once cataloged and digitized — holds great potential for being a leading resource for researching Black history and culture in the United States.”

The Library will also draw from the collection to develop public programs and exhibitions in partnership with community organizations, highlighting the Black experience.

The CALL’s distribution and sales manager, Jason Joseph, says, “Partnering with the Kansas City Public Library allows us to have the collection properly archived, shared with all of Kansas City’s various communities, and showcase African American excellence of a bygone era.”