The forthcoming Black Movie Hall of Fame in Kansas City, Missouri, promises a multifunctional venue where Black cinema and its contributors are proudly celebrated and displayed.
Set to open in February 2026, the anticipated landmark has a very meaningful home in the middle of the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District. The location is a historically Black area where culture and the arts thrived. It is now also home to the American Jazz and Negro Leagues Baseball Museums, as well as the Black Archives of Mid-America. The Black Movie Hall of Fame is being built inside the 1924-era Boone Theater, now under restoration.
Upon completion, visitors to the Black cinema hub can expect enriching and educational exhibits, private screenings, and uplifting opportunities for aspiring film industry professionals.
“This immersive experience will feature film, video, virtual reality, and traditional exhibits, alongside a 24/7 online platform for global access,” details the Black Movie Hall of Fame. “The Boone Theater will also house the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City, a music studio, digital media facilities, and office space as part of a multi-million-dollar effort to re-energize the district.”
Kansas City local, longtime journalist, film critic, and producer Shawn Edwards leads the project. He’s also a co-founder of the African American Film Critics Association and a board member of the Critics’ Choice Association.
Businessman, investor, mentor, and multi-hyphenate creative Tucker Lott will serve as the Black Movie Hall of Fame’s CEO.
Who Will The Black Movie Hall Of Fame Feature?
On February 28, 2026, the site will host its inaugural Induction Gala. At the time, it will induct three legendary industry titans — Cicely Tyson, Sidney Poitier, and Melvin Van Peebles.
Honoring the legacy of Black film and related professionals in Kansas City, the organization previously chose “Freshman Class Inductees” in 2022. The latter are “10 Black cinema trailblazers with Kansas City roots.” The Black Movie Hall of Fame will display original artwork of those game-changers created by local artist Warren “Stylez” Harvey. Those honorees are Harry Belafonte, Forest Whitaker, Oscar Micheaux, Gordon Parks, Don Cheadle, Kevin Willmott, Hattie McDaniel, Janelle Monáe, Chadwick Boseman, and Tressie Souders.
Those interested can make donations to the Black Movie Hall of Fame via GoFundMe. Funds will help the nonprofit organization create its exhibits, showcase archival items, and present “immersive storytelling.” For the latest updates on the venue and its construction, follow @blackmoviehalloffame and @boonetheater on Instagram.
