A Long Road: 50 Years of Experience from Five African American K-State Alumni

This documentary highlights the experiences of five African American K-State icons. One desegregated a Kansas swimming pool, another integrated a neighborhood, and one began a football career as the first Black football player at Kansas State and ended it with the Green Bay Packers. Stories include Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit to K-State, the impact of his assassination, and a motivational segment that encourages us all, “If it is to be, it is up to me!”

This documentary was made possible by the support of the Faculty Incentive Grant from the Tilford Initiative at Kansas State University.

See the full documentary below:

A Long Road

50 Years of Experience from Five African American K-State Alumni

A Long Road transcript (TXT)


Individual Chapters

Chapter 1

"I'm proud of who I am..."

A Long Road Chapter 1 transcript (TXT)

Chapter 2

"Part of the pioneer experience is sometimes being the first..."

A Long Road Chapter 2 transcript (TXT)

Chapter 3

K-State Experiences: Building a legacy

A Long Road Chapter 3 transcript (TXT)

Chapter 4

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – 1968

A Long Road Chapter 4 transcript (TXT)

Chapter 5

"If it is to be it is up to me."

A Long Road Chapter 5 transcript (TXT)


Documentary Participants

Trailblazers

David Griffin, Sr., Juanita McGowan, Veryl Switzer, Kathleen Greene, and Charles Rankin


If you are interested in classroom resources to use with these videos, please contact Dr. Tonnie Martinez at tonnie@k-state.edu.