Clara A. Reyes

Last updated
Clara A. Reyes
Born1937
Died (aged 86)
Alma mater University of Guadalajara

Clara A. Reyes (1937 - February 17, 2024) was a Mexican-American woman who founded Dos Mundos Newspaper, Missouri's first Latino bilingual newspaper in Kansas City. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Reyes was born in 1937 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, into a family of 10. She attended the University of Guadalajara and graduated with her dental degree. [1]

Career

Reyes moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1964 to further her dental education. However, her dental degree was not recognized in the United States, and Reyes decided to not return to school due to its cost. [2] Reyes worked as an interpreter and real estate agent. [1]

In 1981, Reyes and her husband founded Dos Mundos Newspaper, Missouri's first Latino bilingual newspaper in Kansas City. [1] In 2006, the couple founded three Spanish-language radio stations: 1250 KYYS-AM, 1340 KDTD-AM, and KYZZ 1480-AM. [1] [2]

In the 1980s and 1990s, Reyes worked with the mayor of Kansas City to improve and beautify Southwest Boulevard. [1]

Reyes became interested in promoting business careers to Latina residents, and served with multiple organizations, including MANA de Kansas City, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, the National Federation of Hispanic Owned Publications, and Hispanic Women Against Cancer. [1]

Personal life and death

Reyes married Manuel Reyes (d. 2018) while living in Kansas City. The couple then moved to Overland Park, where they raised two children. [1]

Reyes died on February 17, 2024, following a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. [1]

Awards and recognitions

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Kraske, Steve; Brancart, Claudia; Hawley-Bates, Savannah (2024-02-23). "Clara Reyes, founder of Kansas City's Dos Mundos newspaper, remembered as a mentor". KCUR . Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Hernandez, Joseph (2024-02-22). "'My inspiration.' Clara Reyes, founder of bilingual KC paper Dos Mundos, dies at 86". Kansas City Star .
  3. "UMKC Starr Women's Hall of Fame Announces 2025 Class of Inductees". University of Missouri–Kansas City . September 2024.