“Land of Opportunity” examines Kansas City’s Highway 71 project

Feb 18, 2025 Story by: Editor

Kansas City PBS premiered “Land of Opportunity: The Road of Resistance,” a documentary examining the contentious Highway 71 project and its link to real estate practices that displaced 10,000 Kansas City families.

“This documentary sheds light on some of the historical injustices that shaped our city,” said Kliff Kuehl, Kansas City PBS president and CEO. “We are proud to share this compelling exploration of resilience and community in the face of inequity.”

Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Nico Giles Wiggins, the film serves as a follow-up to his previous work, further examining the impact of urban renewal while prompting discussions on justice, housing, and the ongoing effects of displacement.

“I wanted to go after an ambitious story about urban planning and the history of discriminatory real estate practices across the country,” Wiggins stated. “It’s important that we don’t skim over these stories.”

Wiggins’ earlier installment in the Land of Opportunity series highlighted discriminatory housing practices in Kansas City’s Santa Fe Place neighborhood. His latest work brings attention to these issues through the lens of Paseo Baptist Church, a 140-year-old institution that has withstood the challenges brought by the Highway 71 project.

By intertwining historical context with personal narratives from community leaders such as Paseo Baptist Church Pastor LaRon Thompson, 5th District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Land of Opportunity: The Road of Resistance pushes viewers to acknowledge the long-term consequences of urban renewal and engage in efforts to preserve the heritage and identity of affected communities.

“For me, this story is a process of unraveling,” Wiggins explained. “The goal of this is not to give a 30-second rundown of systemic racism, instead, I want you to join me in this journey of understanding.”

Watch Land of Opportunity at the Reel Black Film Fest

Wiggins’ latest documentary will be featured at the Reel Black Film Fest on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m. at The Truman. The event aims to celebrate local Black filmmakers in Kansas City, offering attendees the chance to shop with local vendors, view three new Kansas City PBS films, and engage in discussions with the filmmakers behind the projects.

About the Filmmaker

Emmy Award-winning producer Nico Giles Wiggins is the founder and CEO of Nico Giles Media, a production company established in 2017 to develop documentaries, films, and other creative works. Wiggins has produced multiple films for Kansas City PBS, including Land of Opportunity and Heart of the City. Previously, he worked as a producer on Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: A Legacy Brought to Screen.

Source: Kansas City PBS