‘The Potato King: A Dynasty Built on Dirt and Dreams’ Airs This February on Kansas City PBS

Kansas City, MO — Kansas City PBS proudly presents The Potato King: A Dynasty Built on Dirt and Dreams, a captivating documentary about the extraordinary life and legacy of Junius Groves, one of the wealthiest Black men of his time. The new documentary airs on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. on Kansas City PBS Channel 19.1.

“This film is a celebration of perseverance and the pursuit of greatness,” said Kliff Kuehl, president and CEO of Kansas City PBS. “It’s a must-watch for anyone inspired by remarkable stories of triumph over adversity.”

Known as the “Potato King of the World,” Groves was a formerly enslaved man, based in Edwardsville, Kansas, who rose to prominence as a potato farmer. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jacob Handy is now bringing Groves’ pioneering journey to life in this new film. Told from the perspective of local farmer Mike B. Rollen, this film sets out to learn about Groves by interviewing local historians, visiting the original land Groves farmed and showcasing modern-day Black farmers influenced by Groves’ entrepreneurial spirit.

“I wanted to tell a story that often gets overlooked — a story about resilience, hard work and innovation. Junius Groves was a man who defied the odds and became a symbol of success during a time when opportunities for Black Americans were incredibly limited,” Handy said. “His journey really spoke to me, and I felt it was important to share his legacy in a way that could inspire others to chase their own dreams, no matter the obstacles.”

Tune in to Kansas City PBS this February as we celebrate Junius Groves's legacy and bring his story to life for new generations. To learn more visit kansascitypbs.org/potatoking.

Watch The Potato King at the Reel Black Film Fest

Kansas City PBS will screen The Potato King alongside other local films at the Reel Black Film Fest on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. at The Truman. The Potato King will play at 4:30 p.m. with a panel to follow. This day-long event is designed to celebrate local Black filmmakers in Kansas City.  Attendees will have the opportunity to shop with local vendors, watch three new Kansas City PBS films and hear from the filmmakers behind the lens. 

Doors and vendors will open at 1:30 p.m., and screenings and panels will begin at 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Health Forward Foundation proudly supports this event. For more information and updates, visit kansascitypbs.org/reelblack.

About the Filmmaker

Jacob Handy is a regional Emmy Award-winning director and producer. In 2021, he produced the hour-long documentary Heart of the City alongside filmmaker Nico Giles Wiggins. The following year, Handy produced its sequel, Leaving Lincoln, which aired on Kansas City PBS in 2022.