Community crusaders are honored in the name of slain Civil Rights leader Leon Jordan

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When the Freedom Wall Commission holds its annual ceremony on Saturday at Leon M. Jordan Memorial Park to honor area residents who are, or have been, change makers in their communities, among the honorees will be a community activist who started out just wanting to help kids learn some life skills.

Chris Harris, founder and executive director of the Harris Park Midtown Sports & Activities Center is one of 86 honorees being celebrated at this weekend’s event. His name will forever be on the Monument To Freedom, Justice and Courage, an 8 foot high and 33-feet-long wall that curves around the back of the statue of Leon M. Jordan, inside the park on 31st Street.

According to the website for Jackson County Parks and Rec. the names honored on the monument are those who are making or who “have made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in Jackson County.” Jordan, the civil rights leader for whom the park is named, was, at the time of his assassination in 1970, considered Missouri’s most powerful Black politician.

Every year since 2018 up to 100 names have been added to the wall, which was established in 2014. When it is completed the wall will feature the names of 1000 honorees who have made an impact in the metro. Some of the others included among the honorees this year are journalist, Eric Wesson; poet, Glenn North; community organizer, Justice Horn; and Missouri Sen. Barbara Anne Washington.

Harris is a Kansas City native who grew up and became involved in sports as a kid. He received a scholarship to play basketball for Penn Valley Community College. While in college Harris wrote an essay for a class that changed the course of his life.

“I wrote this paper explaining how I wanted to teach the basics of life through sports,” said Harris. “When I came back home I had an idea to start buying up land and cleaning up the plots.”

At the age of 23, he began to put his plan into action and slowly began to raise money for the purchase of the four acres of land the center now sits on. He said that when people saw him working hard to beautify the community it started to change the way residents treated their neighborhood.

“Once they saw me out there every day cleaning, clearing old trees with my chainsaw, and picking up trash, I began to see less trash being dumped. It is like we started to clean up the mindset of the community,” said the 55 year old honoree.

The community pitched in and in 1998 the park was officially opened. Though it is centered on sports with a golf course and basketball court, Harris’ motto is, “what we do is 5% sports and 95% education.”

The location is also home to a clubhouse with a stage where community members can come enjoy music performances and plays.

The community activist who has worked to provide a safe space for the youth is honored to be among this year’s additions to the Monument To Freedom, Justice and Courage.

“I am thankful for the opportunity,” said Harris. “To be recognized and know that all of the hard work has been noted and appreciated.”

Harris and his organization are currently hoping to raise $20 million in funds to expand and renovate the Harris Park Midtown Sports & Activities Center. The Monument to Freedom Justice and Courage event will be held 10 AM at the Leon Jordan Memorial Park, at 31st Street and Benton Boulevard.