Douglas Center Sculptures

The Douglass Center in Manhattan, Kansas, is a historic community hub that honors the African American heritage of the Yuma Street neighborhood. In February 2024, the city unveiled bronze sculptures of Sergeant First Class Lazone Grays and his wife Mozelle—two influential community members—outside the Douglass Community Center and its Annex. These statues celebrate the legacy of the Grays family and their long-standing impact on local history and culture.
The Douglass Center complex includes the original community center, once a USO facility during WWII and later home to the only pool accessible to Black residents, and the Douglass Center Annex, formerly the segregated Douglas School. These buildings have played a vital role in the area's Black community, serving as spaces for education, recreation, and connection. The sculptures are part of a broader effort to preserve and celebrate the region's African American history, strengthening community pride and awareness for future generations.