Columbia Library Explored Housing Segregation
The Columbia Public Library hosted a presentation on the history of racial housing discrimination in Boone County.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in African-American
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Librarian Rachel Brekhus delivered a presentation at the Columbia Public Library to highlight the history of racial housing segregation. The event aimed to increase public awareness regarding discriminatory practices in the local area.
Why it matters
The presentation provides a look into the history of housing barriers in Boone County. It serves as an educational effort to inform residents about the origins and impacts of racial housing discrimination within the community.
The library hosted a presentation titled 'Dirty Deeds & Discriminatory Housing in Boone County'. The event was held to outline research into historical discriminatory housing practices.
The players
Rachel Brekhus
She is a librarian who conducted research into local housing discrimination for a project titled Dirty Deeds & Discriminatory Housing in Boone County.
Columbia Public Library
This is the primary public resource and event space in Columbia that hosted the presentation on local history.
CoMo Preservation
This local organization co-sponsored the library presentation to support awareness of regional preservation and historical issues.
The details
Librarian Rachel Brekhus presented her personal research project, which examines how discriminatory housing policies shaped Boone County. The event was co-sponsored by CoMo Preservation to encourage deeper community engagement with local history.
Timeline
The presentation took place on Thursday night, September 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
This presentation follows a pattern set by the 2020 Fair Housing Act enforcement initiatives by addressing historical systemic barriers in local real estate. It reflects a growing national trend of local institutions documenting the legacy of redlining and restrictive covenants.
Residents attending the presentation gained a better understanding of how past housing policies influence current neighborhood development. The session provided context for ongoing discussions regarding equity and historical land use in Boone County.
The takeaway
Understanding the history of discriminatory housing practices is essential for informed civic engagement in the community. Residents are encouraged to review local historical archives to further their own understanding of regional development.
Further reading
To learn more about local history and community programs, visit the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Columbia Missourian.
Live Poll
Do you believe historical housing segregation still shapes your community today?
