The Henry Perry Foundation
We are building better lives for children, youth, and adults.
Our Mission
Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit and generosity of Henry Perry, the Henry Perry Foundation is dedicated to building better lives for children, youth, and adults.
Founded by his granddaughter, Bernetta McKindra, the foundation honors his legacy as the father of Kansas City Barbeque, and also as a visionary businessman and community leader. We strive to invest in opportunities and resources that support our mission, and build communities that create pathways for stability, growth, and lasting success.
Meet Henry Perry
Kansas City barbecue traces its roots to Henry Perry, a visionary entrepreneur who brought his bold, hickory-smoked flavors to the city in 1907. Serving meats from a downtown alley stand, Perry’s peppery sauce and slow-cooked technique laid the foundation for the city’s legendary barbecue scene. A generous leader, he fed 1,000 veterans, widows, and orphans in 1920 and mentored future pitmasters. Honored posthumously in the American Royal BBQ Hall of Fame, his impact endures—recognized each July 3 as Henry Perry Day in Kansas City.
We are building better lives for children, youth, and adults.
Contact Us
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