Robert Nelson will be the recipient of the “Gordon Parks Learning
Tree Award” at the annual Celebration Tribute Dinner and Photo Auction on October 4th, 2025 in Fort Scott,
Kansas.
The Learning Tree Award was established in May of 2023 in Parks’ honor to be given annually at
the Celebration Tribute Dinner.
Named after Gordon’s semi-autobiographical novel and film of the same name, this powerful story tells of a
young man growing into manhood in the 1920’s while dealing with racism, poverty, tragic events and love. The
story is also of a mother who places love, dignity and hard work over hatred. She teaches him about life
lessons learned and allows Cherokee Flats to be his Learning Tree. Previous recipients include, Inaugural
award recipient, former Gordon Parks Museum, Executive Director, Jill Warford, Daryl Roller, retired Director of
Development at Fort Scott Community College and Arnold Schofield, retired Public Historian.
“The Learning Tree Award” is an award created to recognize an individual that is either emerging in the field of
arts with exceptional artistic merit, supporting and promoting of the arts, or championing of the arts by their
outstanding dedication, perseverance, commitment to excellence in their community.
Robert Nelson, a retired educator and longtime civic leader, is a native of Fort Scott, Kansas. He graduated
from Fort Scott High School in 1952 and attended Fort Scott Junior College from 1952–54, completing 58
credit hours, just two hours short of earning a diploma. In 1969, after transferring a two-credit-hour course,
from DePaul University, he officially received his Associate of Arts degree from Fort Scott Community College.
In 1955, Nelson enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medical corpsman, where he developed an interest in x-ray
technology while stationed in Germany. After his service, he completed the Radiography Program at Alexian
Brothers Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and later joined the University of Michigan Hospital’s Radiology
Department. In 1966, Nelson became the first director of the Radiography Program at the newly founded
Washtenaw Community College. Nelson initially taught classes in a church basement, while the campus was
under construction. He later served as president of the Michigan Society of Radiological Technologists, was
recognized as Technologist of the Year, and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from
the University of Michigan.
Nelson also contributed to the early efforts to establish, The Gordon Parks Center/Museum at Fort Scott
Community College. At the time Dick Hedges was serving as FSCC President, Daryl Roller as Director of
Development, and Ken Lunt as Mayor of Fort Scott. Together, they traveled with Nelson to New York City to
meet Gordon Parks in his apartment. That meeting helped lay the foundation for the creation of the
Center/Museum and began a lasting friendship with the Parks family.
A former student of the segregated E.J. Hawkins School in Fort Scott, Nelson delivered the induction speech in
2001 that honored Professor, E.J. Hawkins. Professor Hawkins was the first posthumous inductee into the
Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame.

Nelson dedicated 24 years of service to the FSCC Board of Trustees and also served 17 years on the Kansas
Association of Community College Trustees (KACCT), including a term as president. He was one of the
Museum’s original steering committee members in 2004 and has remained active with the annual Gordon
Parks Celebration Planning Committee. In addition, he has contributed his time to the “Students First–
Community Always” capital campaign committee and the FSCC Alumni Association Board. In recognition of his
many achievements, he was named FSCC’s Outstanding Alumnus in 2007.
Beyond education, Nelson is a devoted community leader. He serves as a trustee of United Missionary Baptist
Church, a member of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott, and the Lowell
Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Board of Directors. He also chairs the City of Fort Scott Zoning Appeals
Board and contributes to other local organizations. In addition, he has shared his musical talent as a member
of the Fort Scott Community Chorus.
Nelson and his wife, Evelyn, are the proud parents of six children—Estella, Robert, Joyce, Gloria, Ronald, and
William and grandparents to ten grandchildren

Thursday, October 2^nd: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations

Meet at the entrance of the Fort Scott Community College Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2801 S. Horton.

Saturday, October 4^th: 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. — Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations.   Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center

Kirk Sharp, Executive Director

Gordon Parks Museum

Fort Scott Community College

2108 S. Horton

Fort Scott, Kansas 66701-3141

620-223-2700, ext 5850

Email: [email protected]

Kansas Arts Commission Awards $1M for Arts and Culture Projects

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced 108 grant recipients will share $1 million in total funding from the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC). The funding reinforces KAC’s role as a catalyst for economic development and community vitality.

“These grants will support an array of organizations and initiatives that will enrich the appeal of these communities, encourage innovation and drive economic growth,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Arts shape the unique character of our Kansas communities and through these awards, community leaders and artists can continue investing locally while opening doors to new opportunities and experiences for residents and visitors alike.”

The state’s vibrant arts and culture industry supported nearly 50,000 Kansas jobs and contributed $5.47 billion to the state economy in 2023.

The $1 million awarded this year will be invested in the arts programs of non-profit organizations, local governments and colleges and universities across the state. In return, awarded organizations are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar investment match.

Funding for KAC grants come from appropriations by the Kansas Legislature and federal support from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA).

“Through arts and culture, we have been able to create new experiences and bring flourishing opportunities to every corner of Kansas,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “These grants will continue to boost our state’s quality of life through various art initiatives — such as investing in arts education, community theatres, music festivals, art museums and more — all leaving a positive, lasting impact on our state.”

Grant recipients received funding in one of four categories:

• Arts Everywhere Program (21 awards; $235,873)
• General Operating Support (70 awards; $635,653)
• Public Art & Murals Grants (12 awards; $91,474)
• Visiting Artists Program (five awards; 37,000)

The full list of grant recipients is available here.

To learn more about the arts or the Kansas Arts Commission, visit the webpage here for more information.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

About the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC):

The Kansas Arts Commission stewards the state’s investment in the arts by empowering creativity, fostering innovation, and strengthening the economy to enhance the vitality of every Kansas community. The Kansas Arts Commission is a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. To learn more about KAC, click here or contact Ben Stanton at [email protected] or (785) 213-5959.

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The Gordon Parks Museum Open with Extended Hours During

Fort Scott High School All-Class Reunion Weekend

FORT SCOTT, Kan. June. 17, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College will be open with extended hours during the Fort Scott High School Alumni Association All-Class Reunion, taking place the weekend of June 27–29, 2025.

The museum invites all returning alumni and visitors to stop by and experience the powerful legacy of Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, a trailblazing photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician.

Extended Museum Hours:

• Friday, June 27: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday, June 28: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This is a unique opportunity to learn more about Parks’ impact on American culture and civil rights, and to explore exhibits highlighting his career, from his early life in Fort Scott to his renowned work with LIFE Magazine and films.

In addition to museum exhibits, visitors are encouraged to take part in the Learning Tree Film Scene Sign Trail, a self-guided tour that highlighting key locations from the 1969 film The Learning Tree, directed by Gordon Parks and filmed in Fort Scott in 1968.

Trail brochures are available at:

• The Gordon Parks Museum
• Fort Scott Visitors Center / Chamber of Commerce
• Local area hotels

“We’re excited to welcome back so many Fort Scott alumni and visitors,” said Kirk Sharp, Executive Director of The Gordon Parks Museum. “This is a perfect time to reconnect not only with old classmates but also with the rich history and legacy of Gordon Parks.”

For more information, visit www.gordonparkscenter.org or follow The Gordon Parks Museum on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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 Featuring Documentary and Two-Volume Book

Fort Scott, Kan. June. 10, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum, in partnership with photojournalist and documentary filmmaker, D. Michael Cheers, recipient of the 2025 Choice of Weapons Award, are celebrating the 75th anniversary of Gordon Parks’ Back to Fort Scott with the production of a feature documentary and a two-volume book project.

The documentary, titled Fort Scott Now Stories, will offer a compelling glimpse into the community’s heartbeat, character, vibrancy, and diverse cultures. Cheers, along with cinematographer Bryce Lawson, will be in Fort Scott, Kansas from June 22 to June 29 and again from September 28 to October 4 to film local residents. The project will highlight the voices and lives of people across generations, young and old, business owners, and members of church communities, capturing both the ordinary and the extraordinary in a series of rich, authentic stories that reflect the city’s spirit.

This film and book project is inspired by Gordon Parks’ unpublished LIFE magazine assignment in Fort Scott, seventy-five years ago, in late May 1950. Parks was assigned to produce a photo essay on segregated schools, and to follow up on his 1927 classmates from the segregated Plaza School. Back to Fort Scott was eventually published by the Gordon Parks Foundation in 2015.

A companion two-volume coffee-table book – Fort Scott Now Stories and I Needed Paris, will also be released this fall during the 22nd annual Gordon Parks Celebration, October 2-4. After Parks’ Fort Scott assignment, he was sent to LIFE magazine’s Paris bureau from 1950-1952, where he photographed fashions and lifestyle assignments.

Actor Kyle Johnson, who portrayed Parks in the 1968 film The Learning Tree and 2021 Choice of Weapons Award recipient, will also participate in the documentary and the 2025 Gordon Parks Celebration.

The Fort Scott Now Stories documentary is scheduled for release in 2026.

For more information about “Feature Documentary and Two-Volume Book” in Fort Scott, Kansas, contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext.5850 or by email at [email protected].

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Fort Scott, Kan. – The Gordon Parks Museum is proud to announce its participation in the 2025 Kansas Tourism Sunflower Summer program. The Gordon Parks Museum Celebrates the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally known photographer, filmmaker, writer and musician.

The Sunflower Summer Program is a benefit for Kansas families with school-aged children, pre-K through Grade 12, to encourage them to explore, and fall in love with Kansas. The program is designed to give affordable access to tourism attractions across the state and support the Kansas tourism economy.

Eligible Kansas families will download the Sunflower Summer App to claim tickets to participating venues. One (1) adult ticket is eligible for free admission with eligible students. Tickets are redeemed at participating venues upon their arrival. Each user can only use tickets once per venue during the 2025 season.  The 2025 Sunflower Summer season will run from July 12- August 3.

“We are thrilled to be a venue for the 2025 Kansas Sunflower Summer program,” said Gordon Parks Museum, Executive Director, Kirk Sharp. “There’s something special about seeing kids explore, learn, and enjoy hands-on experiences right here. This program makes it easy for families to create meaningful memories together, and we’re proud to be one of the destinations that helps showcase the best of Kansas.”

Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, aims to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities.

“Kansas Tourism is excited to have The Gordon Parks Museum as a part of the Sunflower Summer program,” said Kansas Tourism Director, Bridgette Jobe. “This program is an amazing benefit for the residents of Kansas, and we are looking forward to growing the program in the 2025 season. The Gordon Parks Museum is an important part of making this the best season yet for the program.”

For more information about Th Gordon Parks Museum visit https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/. To discover more about the Sunflower Summer program, visit SunflowerSummer.org.

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About The Gordon Parks Museum: The Gordon Parks Museum celebrates the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician. The Gordon Parks Museum strives to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness and the role of diversity in our lives A

bout Sunflower Summer: Sunflower Summer is a program operated by Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. The program aims to help Kansas families affordably explore the Sunflower State. The official Sunflower Summer mobile app is available on Apple and Android. More information can be found at SunflowerSummer.org

Michael Cheers, Carol Friedman and Jason Miccolo Johnson will be the recipients of the “Gordon Parks Choice of
Weapons Award” at the annual celebration October 2nd – 4th, 2025 in Fort Scott, Kansas. The celebration is in honor
of Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker. The Choice of Weapons Award
was established in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the celebration. More detailed information about the annual
celebration events will be coming at a later date with a full press release.
D. Michael Cheers is an Associate Professor. He teaches visual journalism in the School of Journalism
and Mass Communications at San Jose State University. An award-winning documentary filmmaker,
Cheers also teaches master photo classes in Ghana and South Africa. A National Geographic Faculty
Fellow and a Fulbright Scholar, his research interests include examining the slave dungeons along
Cape Coast, Ghana, digitizing the W. E. B. Du Bois photo and documents collection at the Du Bois
Institute for Pan African Culture in Accra, Ghana, and researching township music in Alexandra
Township, in South Africa.
He’s the co-editor and contributing photographer to the bestselling books, Songs of My People: African Americans,
A Self-Portrait and co-authored the bestseller Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela. He holds BA and MA
degrees in journalism and an MS in African American Studies from Boston University. Cheers earned his PhD in African
Studies and Research from Howard University, in Washington, D.C. His photographs have been exhibited in museums
and galleries worldwide. In 2023, a portfolio of his photographs was acquired by the Smithsonian Museum of African
American History and Culture.
Cheers began his career photographing high school sports for the St. Louis American newspaper. He then interned at
the Boston Globe newspaper, before joining Jet and Ebony magazines as a photojournalist in Chicago, Washington, D.C,
and later as managing editor of Ebony South Africa. He curated the Songs of My People traveling exhibition throughout
the United States and abroad, before transitioning to photojournalism education in 2001. He’s taught at Auburn
University and the University of Mississippi. He’s headed the photojournalism sequence at San Jose State University since
2006. Cheers most recently produced and directed the documentary I Needed Paris, Inspired by Gordon Parks.
Carol Friedman is a New York portrait photographer and filmmaker who has documented icons
of the art, music and business worlds for more than three decades. Her photographs have been
featured in The New Yorker, Esquire, The New York Times, Gentleman’s Quarterly, Rolling Stone,
Forbes, and The London Times, and appear on numerous book covers including the memoirs and
biographies of Jessye Norman, Ron Carter, Albert Murray, Randy Weston, Al Green, and Gil Evans.
She is the author of The Jazz Pictures, A Moment’s Notice: Portraits of American Jazz Musicians,
and the children’s book Nicky The Jazz Cat.
Renowned for her work in the music industry, Friedman’s classic portraits of singers and musicians appear on hundreds
of jazz, soul, blues, and classical album and CD covers for legendary artists from Nina Simone and Quincy Jones to
Yo-Yo Ma and Eric B. and Rakim. In addition to her camera work, Friedman helmed the art and design divisions of several
major record labels; serving as chief photographer and art director for Blue Note Records, creative director for Elektra
Entertainment, and vice-president of creative for Motown.
An avowed jazz fan, Friedman’s ongoing photography sessions with jazz legends and the innovators on the new jazz
frontier bring her the most pleasure. She began photographing the jazz masters as a student, inspired by the music
and her studies with Life Magazine photographer Philippe Halsman, embracing Halsman’s maxim that “a portrait is
successful only if it reveals the emotional identity of your subject.” The ever-evolving music community and Halsman’s
imperative continues to inform and inspire her work. Friedman is presently photographing and designing album covers,
working on several book projects, and editing The Music Is The Magic, her feature-length documentary film on the life
and work of singer Abbey Lincoln.
Jason Miccolo Johnson What do Thurgood Marshall, Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali,
Iman, seven U.S. presidents, and 15 heads of state have in common? They all have been photographed
by Jason Miccolo Johnson. His images have been in five Smithsonian exhibitions, 45 books, four films,
a music video, and over 70 magazines. In 2006, Johnson published his first solo book, Soul Sanctuary:
Images of the African American Worship Experience (foreword by Gordon Parks). Fifty of those
photographs are now in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African
American History and Culture in Washington, DC.
Historic events shot by Johnson include the inauguration of President Obama, Million Man March, Clarence Thomas’s
Supreme Court confirmation hearing, and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. He has photographed nearly
every elected Black governor and all but one elected Black U.S. Senator. Johnson was the official photographer for the 50th
anniversary of N.A.T.O. and the 50th anniversaries of SNCC and UNCF.
From 2015-2022, Johnson taught photography at Savannah State University. He took 15 students to cover the opening of the
National Museum of African American History and Culture. In 2002, he organized the largest gathering of professional Black
photographers in history (90) to celebrate Gordon Parks on his 90th birthday. In 1997, he planned and organized the 40th
anniversary of his alma mater, Carver High School in Memphis, Tennessee, the biggest event in the school’s history.
He began his professional photography career in the U.S. Navy before becoming the photo lab director at USA Today where
he designed darkrooms and printed pictures at major sporting events including the 1988 Winter and Summer Olympics,
1987 World Series, 1986 Super Bowl, and 1987 and ‘88 NCAA Men’s Final Four. Johnson interned at ABC Network News,
worked at The Shaw Group advertising agency in Memphis, and shot assignments for Essence, Black Enterprise, Financial
World, Glamour, American Visions, Washingtonian, Ebony, and Jet magazines. Johnson is a recipient of the ArtMaker Award
from the HistoryMakers, and Distinguished Alumni Award from Howard University. Since 1990, he has been the official
photographer for the National Association of Black Journalists. Johnson has had solo exhibitions at the National Civil Rights
Museum, Chrysler Museum, and African American Museums in Philadelphia and Detroit.
Photo Credit in Films and Documentaries: Guest Who [Columbia Pictures]; The Black Godfather:The Clarence Avant Story
[Netflix]; Boss: The Black Experience in Business [WNET]; and W.E.B. DuBois: A Biography in Four Voices [The Scribe]. Johnson
currently lives in Savannah, Georgia while working on his third solo book, LEGENDS of our LIFETIME: 75 Black Men Who
Influenced America. For more information, visit jasonmiccolojohnson.com.
Schedule and ticket information will be posted at a later date on the website gordonparkscenter.org.