BOB KENDRICK

Bob Kendrick is President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in Kansas City, Missouri. The NLBM is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African-American baseball and its impact on America’s social advancement. He is the creator of the Legacy Awards, which are presented annually to the best Major League baseball players, managers and executives in the name and spirit of  Negro League legends such as Satchel Paige, “cool Papa” Bell and Josh Gibson. Kendrick began his association with the NLBM during his 10-year newspaper career with The Kansas City Star, and served on the NLBM’s board of directors for nearly five years prior to being named to his current position. Kendrick received a basketball scholarship to Park College, where he earned a B.A. degree in Broadcast Communications and Journalism. Active in the community, Kendrick serves as a volunteer basketball coach, mentors underprivileged Kansas City youths, gives motivational talks to area students, and shares the illustrious history of Negro Leagues Baseball with nearly 100 social and civic groups annually. In 2006, the Greater Kansas City Black Chamber of Commerce awarded him the Mary Lona Diversity Award, and the Omicron Xi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity named him Citizen of the Year. He has also been honored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Black Achievers Society.