The Kansas African American Museum launches a new exhibit exploring segregation in Wichita public schools during the 1950’s.

Through research, photographs, and old artifacts, Donna Rae Pearson, the event organizer was able to portray what it was like for black students in Wichita during the ears of segregation. ”We want to educate people about the experiences blacks had in the educational system in Wichita,” said Pearson. “A lot of people who think of Kansas just think of a free state where blacks had immediate rights, and that’s just not the case,” she said.

Pearson said when researching this topic she uncovered a lot of information which she found surprising. For example, she said there was a case where a black student was denied admittance to a school here in Wichita. The student’s mother took the case all of the way to the Kansas Supreme Court and won. This, Pearson said, was major in and of itself, but also because it took place right here in Wichita.

Pearson said this exhibit should appeal to everyone. It runs at the Kansas African American Museum through March 19th. Read more at Kake.com