Bruce R. Watkins, Kansas City's pathbreaking activist, opposed the highway now named for him

from Up To Date · host KCUR Studios

Watkins was a founder of the political organization Freedom, Inc. and one of the Kansas City Council’s first two Black members. He was a vocal opponent of Highway 71 — although parts of the parkway were eventually named after him. An event at the Kansas City Public Library on Sunday, Feb. 15, will remember his full life and legacy.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 12, 2026

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Bruce R. Watkins, Kansas City's pathbreaking activist, opposed the highway now named for him

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