This collection consists of materials Chester Owens has gathered about the Kansas City, Kansas region and the history of African Americans in the region, as well as materials regarding his own political career as a Kansas City, Kansas city councilman. Much of the collection concerns H.W. Sewing, businessman and founder of Douglass State Bank.

The Douglass State Bank was established in 1947 by Henry W. Sewing and other African American and minority businessmen interested in promoting the financial health of minority communities in Kansas City, Kansas. The collection contains historical and commemorative documents produced by the Bank, as well as related articles and correspondence. Photographs of the Bank's facility development, personnel and founders, and sponsored events make up a large portion of the collection.