• Open to all ages
• No need to register; simply walk in!
• Light refreshments provided.

Talk Summary

African American musicians from 1860-1920 are often part of an under-told story in Kansas history from 1860-1920. Not defined as traditionally Black music, these musicians played in mandolin quartets, cornet bands, orchestras, and string bands. They performed as itinerant musicians and jubilee singers at civic events, weddings, fairs, barn dances, and private homes. They were an important feature of the musical landscape of Kansas, and their history mirrors the history of Kansas itself: the struggle of abolition, the Civil War, and Western migration. This talk explores the dynamic musical history of African Americans, and the social and cultural impacts in Kansas.

Speaker Bio - Lem Sheppard

Lem was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and by the time he was 9 years old he was frequently playing guitar with the sons of Kansas City blues veterans. In 1999, he was nominated by a congressional committee to represent the state of Kansas in a solo performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He composed and performed the soundtrack to the PBS documentary Black White & Brown, has received awards from The Kansas Folklore Society, The Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame and was a National Finalist in the Telluride Acoustic Blues Challenge. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Lem is also an accomplished lecturer.

In 2017 Lem received the Meritorious Achievement Award from his Alma Mater, Pittsburg State University at Pittsburg Kansas.

special thanks

This program is brought to us by Humanities Kansas, an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy.