Passing the Baton | Rev. John Modest Miles on Building Community

Season One, Passing the Baton Ep. 3

Rev. John Modest Miles has been on the front lines of urban redevelopment for decades.

As pastor of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Miles has a firsthand view of his community. In this week’s installment of “Passing the Baton,” a series of cross-generational conversations hosted by urban educator Carl Boyd, Miles reflects on efforts to redevelop the area around 27th Street and Prospect Avenue with educator Jannette Bush.

“There were a lot of abandoned buildings right there at the 27th and Prospect area,” Miles recalled. “So I said to our people, ‘Let’s make a difference.'”

Over the next 20 years, Morning Star acquired and help redevelop more than 40 nearby properties. Miles also advocated for improved community engagement with the Kansas City Police Department.

“I am so convinced we must get really, really, really involved with the police department,” Miles said. “Sure, there are some problems with the police department. There are also some problems with us, things that we need to do also.”

To learn more, watch the attached video.

Sandy Woodson is an independent producer, most recently of “AIDS in KC: The Early Days,” which aired on Kansas City PBS. “Passing the Baton” is presented with support from Health Forward Foundation and
Husch Blackwell.