Join Us

Tour Stop – Kansas City, MO

April 29, 2026

Mayor: Quinton Lucas

In Kansas City, although Black residents make up an estimated 24% of the city’s total population, in 2024 they accounted for only 13% of mortgage originations.

Mayor: Quinton Lucas

In Kansas City, although Black residents make up an estimated 24% of the city’s total population, in 2024 they accounted for only 13% of mortgage originations.

Tour Stop Programs

Each stop on the tour will feature programming that equips attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate today’s housing market. 

Credit Power

Learn how to boost your credit score by adding your rent history to your profile the right way. Stronger credit means more affordable paths to homeownership.

From Housing to Homeownership

Discover how Section 8 housing certificates can be used as a pathway to buying a home. Learn the steps to turn rental assistance into real ownership.

Heirs Property Rights

Learn how to secure heirs’ property rights and prevent the loss of family-owned homes. This session shows how to keep wealth and legacy in the family for generations

Renting vs. Owning: Building a Better Future

Explore the true costs of renting versus buying. This session breaks down the financial and lifestyle benefits of homeownership to help you make the best choice for your future.

Town Hall: Affordable Solutions

Join the conversation with city officials and community leaders on solutions to increase housing affordability and expand access to lending programs in your city.

Development for the People

Join with NAREB developers nationwide on partnering with cities to create community-focused developments that deliver affordable housing opportunities.

Register for a Session

Kansas City, Missouri: Black Real Estate History & Landmarks

Kansas City, Missouri holds an important place in Black real estate history due to its strong Black neighborhoods, thriving business districts, and long fight against housing segregation and redlining. During the early and mid-20th century, Black families migrated to Kansas City seeking employment opportunities and built vibrant residential communities through homeownership, entrepreneurship, and community institutions.

Why Kansas City Is Significant to Black Real Estate History

  • Kansas City became a major destination during the Great Migration, bringing thousands of Black families seeking jobs and better housing opportunities.
  • The city enforced racially restrictive covenants that limited where Black residents could purchase homes, concentrating Black homeownership in certain neighborhoods.
  • The civil rights movement and housing advocates challenged these discriminatory policies, leading to expanded access to housing and lending opportunities.
  • Historic Black business districts and residential neighborhoods demonstrated how property ownership supported Black economic growth and cultural life.

Five Important Black Real Estate Landmarks

  • 18th & Vine Historic District – The cultural and economic center of Black Kansas City, home to Black-owned businesses, clubs, and professional offices tied to community wealth and property ownership.
  • Lincoln Building – A historic office building that housed many Black professionals including doctors, lawyers, and business leaders who played a role in the city's economic development.
  • Lincoln High School Neighborhood – Surrounded by historically Black residential areas where many families built generational wealth through homeownership.
  • Gem Theater District – Located within the 18th & Vine area, this landmark represents the entertainment and business hub that supported the local Black economy.
  • Vine Street Corridor – A historic corridor lined with Black-owned businesses, civic organizations, and institutions that contributed to the stability and growth of Black neighborhoods.

Legacy

Kansas City's housing history reflects both the resilience of Black communities and the challenges created by discriminatory housing policies. Through strong neighborhoods, business districts, and civic leadership, Black residents built lasting institutions and communities. Today, Kansas City continues to highlight the role of real estate in building economic opportunity and preserving historic Black neighborhoods.

Next Stop