Gary Wilkinson names 2026 Kelsy Beshears Racial Justice Award recipient

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The YWCA of St. Joseph, St. Joseph NAACP and Missouri Western State University announced the 2026 recipient of its Kelsy Beshears Racial Justice Award.

St. Joseph City Councilmember Gary Wilkinson will receive the award at the 30th Annual Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism Breakfast on Sept. 24.

According to the YWCA, Kelsy Beshears is recognized as one of the most influential figures in the Civil Rights Movement in St. Joseph.

Beshears was a former educator and trailblazer and was the first elected president of the St. Joseph NAACP Branch.

She was also the first Black woman to serve on a criminal jury in Buchanan County and the founder of the St. Joseph Human Rights Commission.

Beshears lived to be 100 years old, leaving behind a legacy that is honored by the recognition of individuals and groups that demonstrate commitment and action toward achieving racial equality and justice.

The 30th Annual Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism Breakfast will take place from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24 at St. Joseph's YWCA, located at 304 N. 8th St.

RSVPs are due Sept. 18 at www.ywcasj.org/doc .