Conella Coulter Brown Will Attend Reception on Oct. 2

Conella Coulter was one of the first students of color admitted to the University of Kansas City (now University of Missouri-Kansas City) in 1949. Coulter Brown turns 90 years old this month and will attend the Black Alumni Weekend Welcome Reception on Friday, Oct. 2.

The UMKC Black Alumni Weekend will take place on Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3 at various locations on campus. The goal of the UMKC Black Alumni Weekend Committee is to create an event for Black Alumni to connect, network and engage with each other, as well as meeting the next generation of Roos – our current students.

Clarence Decker, who was then chancellor of the UKC, challenged the Board to admit students of color. Coulter Brown read in the Kansas City Call that UKC was accepting Negroes and applied. While she felt high school had not properly prepared her for the rigors of college, she fought hard for her grades.

Graduating in 1953 with a degree in history and unable to get a teaching position in Kansas City due to her race, Coulter Brown moved to Cleveland where she served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, assistant supervisor of human resources and retired as assistant superintendent of the Cleveland Public Schools.

After she became assistant principal at a junior high school in Cleveland in 1964, she received the UMKC Alumni Achievement Award in the same year.

Her story is filled with the challenges, but also her many victories. She is available to speak with the media prior to and during the reception.

Below are details about the weekend, which takes place during UMKC’s Founders’ Week. Registration is required for event attendees.

Friday, Oct. 2
Welcome Reception
4 – 5:30 p.m. Atterbury Student Success Center – Pierson Auditorium, 5000 Holmes

Fish Fry Food Truck
5:30 – 7 p.m. African American History and Culture House, 5245 Rockhill Road
Enjoy catfish or chicken and fries

Additional Friday Night Options include: UMKC Soccer and UMKC Black Alumni First Fridays

Saturday, Oct. 3
Campus Bus Tours starting at 10 a.m.

BBQ on The Quad
Noon – 3 p.m.  Sponsored by The African American Student Union (TAASU)
Come for the fun and meet the students walking in your footsteps.

Visit Black Alumni Weekend to register and for more details.