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Exoduster Descendents Reconnect in KCK

By Sylvia Maria Gross

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-620187.mp3

Kansas City, Kansas – It's something like a family reunion, mixed with an academic conference. About a hundred people gathered this week at the Woodlands Turf Club in Kansas City Kansas to share their enthusiasm for Kansas history - specifically the history of black colonies and communities created by the exodusters who came up from Texas in the late 19th century.

Reconnection II is the second such event, the first was focused on the Votaw Colony of Coffeyville, Kansas. 84-year-old Nat Fitz has brought together descendents of the exodusters and others. When Fitz met with KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross on Wednesday at the Turf Club for an interview, he just kept bringing more people around to talk about the reconnection.

This story was produced for KC Currents. To listen on your own schedule, subscribe to the KC Currents Podcast.

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