Reflections During Black History Month

This month, I have found myself sitting with both grief and gratitude as we remember the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering voice for civil rights, economic justice and political inclusion. His insistence that we “keep hope alive” was never just a slogan; it was a call to organize, to vote, to build institutions that outlast any single moment or crisis. As I look at our work at The Prospect KC, I see that same charge at the heart of our mission to empower lives, disrupt poverty and cultivate community here in Kansas City.

During Black History Month, we often celebrate the leaders whose names we know best, but Rev. Jackson also reminded us that history is made by everyday people who refuse to accept the status quo. Our team members, workforce participants, volunteers, pantry partners and neighbors are part of that living history every day using food as a catalyst for change, turning surplus into nourishment, and transforming barriers into pathways to economic mobility. When someone walks into our community kitchen or pantry and is greeted with hospitality instead of judgment, that too is civil rights work a quiet but powerful act of insisting that everyone belongs at the table.

We are also stepping into the season of Lent, a time that invites many of us into reflection, repentance and renewal. Whether or not you observe Lent in a faith tradition, the themes feel timely: telling the truth about systems that harm, loosening our grip on what no longer serves community, and making room for a more just and generous way of living together. In a year marked by loss and uncertainty, I am holding onto the belief that change is still possible when we align our resources, our relationships and our courage around a shared vision of fairness and belonging.

I’ll be honest this was not the year I could bring myself to write a cheerful series on Black culinary pioneers and food justice advocates, even though their stories matter deeply to who we are. Instead, I am honoring them by paying attention to the work right in front of us: making sure our neighbors have access to fresh, culturally relevant food; creating real-world training and employment pathways; and building spaces where people feel seen, not sorted. My hope is that, in doing so, we continue the legacy of leaders like Rev. Jackson in a way that is grounded, local and faithful to the communities we serve.

Thank you for walking with us through seasons of celebration and seasons of lament. Your presence, your partnership and your persistence are part of how we, together, keep hope alive in Kansas City.
— Chef Shanita McAfee
Executive Director
The Prospect KC