Leon Jordan

Leon Mercer Jordan (May 6, 1905 – July 15, 1970) was an African-American civil rights leader who served in the Missouri House of Representatives. Jordan was "one of the most influential African Americans in Kansas City's history" and, at the time of his assassination in 1970, the "state's most powerful black politician". He married fellow Wilberforce student Orchid Irene Ramsey on August 10, 1932. an organization which advocated political awareness among African-Americans in the city by organizing a massive voter registration drive and promoting black political candidates. In 1963, Jordan and Watkins helped pass an accommodations ordinance, desegregating all public facilities in Kansas City. Among them was Jordan, who was elected to the first of three terms in the Missouri House of Representatives. Jordan was campaigning for a fourth term at the time he was murdered. Shortly before his death, he described himself as a "radical", adding, "I'm not a conformist but there are bounds of reason." Three men were arrested for the murder, including at least one affiliated with a criminal group called the "Black Mafia". One man was acquitted, and charges were dropped against the other two suspects.

Upon his death, his widow, Orchid I. Jordan, became a candidate for his legislative seat. She won the election, and served for sixteen years in the Missouri House of Representatives. A January 1966 report on the burglary by the Independence Police Department stated that the guns had later been sold through a "North End Italian fence". This report was not discovered in the initial investigation of Jordan's murder, but was uncovered by investigative journalists working for the Kansas City Star in 2010. When the reporters asked the KCPD about the shotgun, they were told that it had been lost in 1973. The shotgun may have been sold in a police surplus auction. Some time later, the KCPD purchased the used shotgun from a gun store and did not check the serial number. The shotgun was refurbished and placed into police service. No one was indicted because all of the alleged perpetrators were deceased by then.

Legacy The Leon M. Jordan Memorial Park, located at 31st Street and Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, features a statue of Jordan and a plaque on the front of its base. Behind the statue of Jordan is the Monument to Freedom, Justice and Courage. The statue was dedicated on May 17, 1975, five years after his death. The Freedom Wall intends to highlight individuals that have significantly impacted the African American community in Jackson County, with an emphasis on unknown, unsung champions of civil rights, equality and excellence. Names are still being added through a nomination process to the Jackson County Freedom Wall Commission.

Individuals on the wall include: +TitleNameContributionAdams, Clinton Jr.PoliticsPastorHenderson, L. BellFaith/ReligiousCadenhead, Clarence "C.B."Youth DevelopmentColes, Richard Thomas "R.T."EducationCurls, MelbaPoliticsDickinson, J. ErikYouth DevelopmentEvans, Virginia "Dee"Community ActivistFranklin, Chester A.EntrepreneurshipGibson, Elvis E. "Sonny"Community HistorianJames, Sylvester "Sly" Jr.Politics / Community ServicesBass, TomEntrepreneurshipBlankinship, G. Lawrence Sr.EntrepreneurshipDoctorCameron, JeremiahCivil Rights / EducationCrews, JamesCommunity ServiceCurls, Shalonn "Kiki"PoliticsDiuguid, LewisMediaReverendEwing, Thomas H.Faith / ReligionDoctorFullard, Jasper Jr.Healthcare / MedicineGoldblatt, LawrenceNeighborhood LeadershipJefferson, JessieCommunity ServiceBates, MikeCivil RightsBowser, James DallasEducation / MediaCanady, Cynthia ElaineCommunity ServiceCrews, Nelson C.Neighborhood LeadershipDaniel, Damon L.Community ActivistDixon, AnitaEducationFambrough, William L.Community HistorianJudgeGaitan, Fernando J. Jr.Law / JusticeGrant, GwendolynEducationReverend DoctorJohnson, A. L. Sr.Faith / ReligionBowman Becks, Ida M.Community EngagementDoctorBryant, Girard T.EducationDoctorCarr, David A. Sr.Civil Rights / EntrepreneurshipFranklin, Ada CrogmanArts / EntertainmentDaniels, FletcherPoliticsDunn, Randy D.PoliticsGardner, Isaac Jr.EducationHill-Suber, GayleCommunity ActivistJudgeJohnson, Carl R.Law / Criminal JusticeBell, BobbySportsBush, JackSportsCharity, DianeNeighborhood ActivistCrosthwaite, Minnie LeeCommunity ServiceDean, Gilbert "Mickey"Law / JusticeEllis, E. FrankHealthcare / MedicineForte, DarrylCommunity ServiceMajorGates, Charles A. "Pops"Community HistorianHuggins, L. C. "Speedy"Arts/EntertainmentJohnson, CharlesNeighborhood LeadershipHickman, Dawn C.Community Organizing / EngagementHuell, WhitneyArts / EntertainmentMacklin, Patricia JonesCommunity Organizing / EngagementReverend DoctorHill, Robert LeeFaith / ReligiousHuskey, VenessaCommunity Organizing / EngagementKing, WaymondYouth ServicesMcDonald, ShirleyEntrepreneurshipMontgomery, InaEducationDoctorHolliday, GaylePoliticsIsraelite, StevePhilanthropyKitchen, AliceCivil Rights / ActivismMcKelvy, EarlineEducationMorales, JerrySportsHorn, JusticeCommunity Organizing / EngagementJackson, EliseCommunity Organizing / EngagementLopez-Galvan, LisaMediaMims, BonnayePoliticsDoctorMyers, Sere S. Sr.Healthcare / MedicineHoward, Wilhemina E. "Nina"Healthcare / MedicineJohnson, Barbara J.K.Neighborhood LeadrshipMcCoy, TonjaEducationPastorAbel, EarlFaith / ReligiousBecker, LeslieHealthcare / MedicineBrooks, AlvinCommunity EngagementBryant, MarkPoliticsReverendCleaver, Emanuel IIPoliticsCurls, FredPoliticsEason, SamuelYouth DevelopmentGrace, WilliamEducationReverend DoctorHartsfield, Wallace S.Civil RightsHolliday, Harold Sr.Law / Criminal JusticeAlaadeen, AhmadArts / EntertainmentBell, RoseEducationPastorBrooks, John L.Faith / ReligiousReverendButler, Leonard P.Faith / ReligiousJudgeClymer, Lewis W.Law / Criminal JusticeCurls, Philip B.PoliticsFain, PearlLaw / Criminal JusticeGraham, IkeCommunity OrganizingHazley, CharlesPoliticsHolliday, Harold "Doc" Jr.PoliticsAllen, Preston Sr.Faith / ReligionBland, Mary GrovesPoliticsSanders Brooks, SharonCivil RightsCarter, Andrew & MildredMediaCoe, CarolPoliticsDaniels, SybilSocial EngagementGates, OllieEntrepreneurshipJudgeGray, JonLaw / Criminal JusticeHazley, DeanCivil RightsHolmes, Daniel Arthur (DA)Civil RightsPastorAllen, Preston Jr.Faith / ReligiousBluford, JohnHealthcare / MedicineThuston Brown, Cora PearlArts / EntertainmentReams Carter, EstellaCivil RightsCollins, JoanneCommunity ActivistLeon Dixon, LesterEducationGibson, LyleCommunity HistorianHarrington, GeorgeEntrepreneurshipHerron, William J.EducationHonorableHughes, Leonard Jr.Law / Criminal JusticeBacchus, KennethPoliticsBluford, LucileMediaBrown, MelvinCommunity EngagementHoward Clark, WilliamCivil RightsCrompton, DwayneEducationDorsey, OliviaMediaGlover, EstherNeighborhood LeadershipHarris, AlexBusinessDoctorHill, JuliaEducationHughes, MamieCivil RightsDoctorNash, TroyBusinessNorth, GlennArts / EntertainmentPerry, HenryBusinessNeal, CalvinCommunity Organizing / EngagementOwens, GGCommunity Organizing / EngagementPersley, KathrynCommunity Organizing / EngagementRandolph, Kimberly M.Community Organizing / EngagementSlaughter, KarenNeighborhood LeadershipNewman, DinaNeighborhood LeadrshipParks-Shaw, RyanaPoliticsPastorPiggee-Wallack, AliceCommunity Organizing / EngagementJudgeSachs, Howard F.Civil Rights / ActivismSmall, ShafeeqaCommunity Organizing / EngagementNewsome, CynthiaMediaDoctorPatel, AmyHealthcare / MedicinePrice, CarlEducationReverendSample, TexCivil Rights / ActivismDoctorSnorgrass, JosephEducationNewsome, Edward J.BusinessPelofsky, BrendaHealthcare / MedicineReverendRambo, Rickey D.Faith / ReligiousHumphrey, WilliePhilanthropyReverend DoctorJones, Mac CharlesCivil RightsKendrick, BobSportsMcShann, JayArts / EntertainmentDoctorPerry, John EdwardHealthcare / MedicineSimmons, MarilynEducationSykes, AlvinCivil RightsWatkins, Bruce R.PoliticsJames, RosaCivil RightsDoctorJones, MarionHealthcare / MedicineLowe, Rosemary S.Neighborhood LeadershipReverend Doctor Miles, John ModestFaith / ReligiousDoctorPeterson, CarlHealthcare / MedicineHubbard, Wayne / Price, CandiceMediaRobinson, MelissaHealthcare / MedicineSmith, Charles AshleyBusinessThomas, Earl D.PoliticsWebster, AjamuEducationJohnson, DorothyPhilanthropyJordan, LeonCivil RightsReferendMann, Samuel E.Civil RightsNunnelly, JimMentoringPeterson, HoraceCommunity HistorianRagsdale, HelenEducationDoctorRodgers, Samuel U.Healthcare / MedicineSmith, Lena RiversMediaReverend DoctorThompson, Nelson "Fuzzy"Civil RightsWebster, JoePhilanthropyJohnson, Harold & MyrtleSportsJordan, OrchidPoliticsMartin, SandersPhilanthropyO'Neil, John "Buck"SportsPeterson, WalterPoliticsReverendRay, KennethCivil RightsRoss, EvaCivil RightsJudgeSpottsville, CliffordLaw / Criminal JusticePouncey Thurman, LeonaLaw / Criminal JusticeWilson, YvonnePoliticsJohnson, HermanPhilanthropyKaiser, Inez Y.BusinessMattox, Joe LouisCommunity HistorianPemberton, LounneerCivil RightsDoctorPeterson, Walter R.Healthcare / MedicineRichardson, MCMediaRussell, AnitaCivil RightsSwinton, Lee VertisPoliticsBishopTindall, James D.Civil RightsWimes, CharlesBusinessStafford, ErikCommunity Organizing / EngagementThomas, JosephCommunity Organizing / EngagementWalker, Lewis GeorgeMediaWheeler, Robert R.EducationStapleton, CarrieMediaThomason, QuianaHealthcare / MedicineWashington, Barbara AnnePoliticsWilliams, BridgetteBusinessStapleton, LeonBusinessTillman, Lafayette A.Civil Rights / ActivismWelch, ArchiePoliticsPhDWilliams, CarmalettaEducationSteward, Wilhelmina L.Community Organizing / EngagementDoctorWagner, Jacob A.EducationWesson, Eric L.MediaWilson, ToiNeighborhood LeadershipWimes, MichelleHealthcare / MedicineTaylor, MarquitaNeighborhood LeadreshipWainright, Calvin CarzellYouth ServicesWestbrooks, Gloria J.EducationJudgeWimes, Brian C.Law / Criminal JusticeDoctorWoods, GeraldHealthcare / MedicineJohnson, DeitraCommunity ServiceJordon, Marion Sr.EntrepreneurshipLopez, JohnCivil RightsMcQueen, CludeBusinessNunnelly, Janice LinzieNeighborhood LeadershipPierson, Emmet Jr.Community DevelopmentJudgeRoque, Kit Carson Jr.Law / Criminal JusticeStreet, ReubenEntrepreneurshipDoctorUnthank, Thomas C.Healthcare / MedicineJudgeHardwick, Lisa WhiteLaw / JusticeJohnson, Lynn E.Youth DevelopmentKeith, GertrudeCommunity ActivistLucas, QuintonPoliticsMason, RosieCommunity ServicePaige, Leroy "Satchel"SportsRamos, John F. Jr.Healthcare / MedicineMayorRoss, CarsonPoliticsStrozier, Pamela A.EducationLieutenant ColonelWarren, CliffordCommunity ServiceWilliams, Marjorie A.EducationJones, Lawrence A. Sr.EntrepreneurshipKelly, Mary L.Community ActivistLyons, Henry E.EntrepreneurshipMaxwell, Donald L.Community DevelopmentParker, Charlie "Bird"Arts / EntertainmentCouncilmanReed, JermainePoliticsSanders, WillieYouth DevelopmentThompkins, William J.Healthcare / MedicineWatson, Robert Michael "Bobby"Arts / EntertainmentChiefWilson, Edward Wade Jr.Community ServiceJones, NettieEntrepreneurshipKlice, Arrington "Bubble"Youth DevelopmentBeatty, Gail McCannPoliticsMoten, BennieArts / EntertainmentDoctorPatterson-Hazley, MelissaCommunity ActivistRobinson, Ah'Lee E.Youth DevelopmentSmith, David A.Youth DevelopmentBishopTolbert, Mark C.Faith / ReligiousWebster, ThomasCommunity ActivistYates, Aaron "Tech N9ne"Arts / EntertainmentJordon, Denise E.EntrepreneurshipKurtz, JohnCivil RightsMcKittrick, Lillian L.Labor / Community ActivistBotley, Don B.Youth DevelopmentRogan, Charles Wilber "Bullet"SportsSmith, Willie ArthurYouth DevelopmentTurner, Joseph Vernon "Big Joe" Jr.Arts / EntertainmentWhite, Frank Jr.Sports / PoliticsYates, Josephine SiloneCivil Rights / Education Aiken, TyroneArts / EntertainmentReverendBacote, Samuel W.Faith / ReligionBodden, JoshuaArts / EntertainmentClarke, PatNeighborhood LeadershipHaney-Galvin, EdithCommunity Organizing / EngagementAlcine, KlassieCommunity Organizing / EngagementDoctorBeatty, KimberlyEducationCalderon, Gwendolyn RussellBusinessDoctorDavis, DeraldEducationHarris, ChristopherYouth ServicesAllen, Beverly C.EducationBoyd, CarlEducationCarroll, GregArts / EntertainmentDoctorEllis, Auburn E.EntrepreneurshipDoctorAllen, Charles H.BusinessBrice, ErikaCivil Rights / ActivismDoctorCharles, MichaelEducationGarcia, Rafaela "Lali"Civil Rights / ActivismAnderson, Edward WalterBusinessWilliams, Hazel BrowneEducationSmith, Nathaniel ClarkEducationGreen, CarolCommunity Organizing / Engagement Jordan's papers, including extensive documentation of his service in Liberia, are collected in the library of the University of Missouri's Kansas City campus.

In 1948, Liberian President William Tubman awarded him Chevalier of the Order of the African Star.