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PRESS RELEASE

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TKAAM, in collaboration with Exploration Place, is celebrating Black History Month by honoring the contributions of a different Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) leaders each week with an outdoor display.

Each week Exploration Place will be projecting an image of an African American pioneer in science onto the side of our iconic island building, highlighting their contribution to the STEM community. We encourage you to visit the display and use it as a learning opportunity for your family to discuss the impact that each scientist had on their field.

Make it an evening and stay to watch the nightly 7 pm Ring of Fire lighting at the Keeper of the Plains from the new Wichita Foundation Amphitheater.

2025 Press Release

Roy Moye III

Roy Moye III is a resident of Wichita, an aerospace engineer and a Grammy-nominated music artist. He is an advocate for introducing the next generation to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and is the founder of STEMusic, which combines music and STEM to interest a diverse range of students in the career field. Moye is a community leader who believes in the power of mentorship and empowering others to chase their dreams. This has led him to serve several STEM organizations and initiatives including the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Heroes Academy and the USA Science and Engineering Festival. He also tours the nation with his STEMusic concerts and keynotes providing inspiration and education for students of all ages.

Deborah Gladney and
Angela Muhwezi-Hall

Deborah Gladney and Angela Muhwezi-Hall are sisters and the co-founders of WorkTorch, a career empowerment platform designed to help underserved individuals find meaningful employment opportunities. They launched the company in 2020 during the pandemic, initially under the name QuickHire, with a mission to bridge the gap in workforce access. Their innovative approach has garnered significant recognition, including raising over $4 million in venture capital, making them the first Black women in Kansas to achieve this milestone. Through WorkTorch, Deborah and Angela continue to empower marginalized communities by providing essential resources and tools for career success.

Dr. Larry Mitnaul

Dr. Larry Mitnaul is a dual board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist practicing in Wichita. His work takes a unique approach to community health by using technology, creativity, and music to connect with patients. He seeks to destigmatize mental health and remove stereotypes that often create barriers for individuals and families seeking help. Through platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and television, he actively engages with the community. In response to the pandemic, Dr. Mitnaul launched a monthly TV series, Cause for Hope, focused on creating connections with youth to encourage health and resilience in the face of isolation. His work has made a significant impact on the well-being of the Wichita community. In recognition of his distinguished community engagement, he received The Kansas African American Museum’s 2021 Doris Kerr Larkins Rising Star Award.

Lakesha Bates

Lakesha Bates serves as the Branch Head of the Flight Systems Integration and Test Branch at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She provides technical leadership to the electrical engineering division, responsible for integration, test, and launch support services of space flight hardware. Throughout her multi-decade career at NASA, Bates has provided engineering support and leadership to Goddard Space Flight Center’s top-tier space flight missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Telescope, and DAVINCI, among others. Her leadership role includes supporting an average of 15 to 20 space flight missions per year, managing over $4 billion worth of NASA space assets. Bates is a Wichita, Kansas, native and a graduate of Wichita High School East, where she earned a record 14 varsity letters across sports such as volleyball, basketball, track and field, and pom-pom (dance team). She holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics/pre-engineering with a minor in computer science from Bethune-Cookman University.