Before participating in 20/20 Leadership, Gary Bradley-Lopez knew that he wanted to leave home as soon as the opportunity presented itself. With the many negative perceptions of Wyandotte County, including the distinction of being named one of the least healthy counties in the state, it was difficult for him to see what opportunities existed for him. One of the first experiences students have with 20/20 Leadership as juniors is a visit to Quindaro Ruins, a county landmark where years ago, slaves escaped the state of Missouri to find freedom in Kansas.
“Neither my father nor my mother knew about it,” Gary said. “But seeing it was a feeling that I won’t ever forget because it was a site of gratefulness and release of the cruel world of oppression.” This was just the beginning of transformative experiences for Gary that came from involvement in 20/20 Leadership. After having the opportunity to learn more about the Kansas City metropolitan area through the program, including politics on the local and state level, he was sold on staying around.
Upon graduating from Wyandotte High School, Gary will continue his education at Kansas City Kansas Community College. He is contemplating a variety of majors, but his long-term goal is to major in speech theater education and return to the high school that played a role in shaping him. Through this goal, Gary aims to stay close to his community and produce change from within. He is also inspired by the notion of setting an example for future students at his alma mater. “There are not many teachers of color and I want to help change that,” he said.
Gary can look to the Kansas City Royals for a lesson in what can be achieved with patience and dedication. Just as the champions experienced setbacks before their World Series appearance in 2014 and eventual win in 2015, Gary believes that his personal homerun came after being named a Royals All-Star Scholar. “I was determined to win that scholarship and I did whatever I had to do to earn it.”
