TRAILBLAZERS
Challenge, Sacrifice, Triumph...and still we rise!
A BROADCAST AND STREAMING EVENT
For more than a decade, The Kansas African American Museum (TKAAM) has honored pioneers who helped shape the Kansas African American experience through an exhibit titled Trailblazers. Now, TKAAM recognizes the perseverance and achievements of these leaders at its dazzling annual fundraiser, A Tribute to Trailblazers. Each year this event proudly honors a new class of inductees into an esteemed, established “Hall of Fame.”
A Trailblazer is a leader, a pacesetter, a pioneer, and each year we have four honorary categories for individuals who have made a significant impact in their respective arena. A Posthumous Trailblazer is awarded to those who have walked the path before us and given us hope as we move into the future.
2020 Presenting Sponsor
Honoree Sponsor
Print Sponsor
Sponsors
2020 Honorees
Hattie McDaniel
Performing Arts Trailblazer
Posthumously
Kansas-born
Oscar Winning Actress
Carla Eckels
Broadcast/Journalism Trailblazer
Director
Cultural Diversity
KMUW
Junetta Everett
Health/Business Trailblazer
Vice President,
Professional Relations
Delta Dental of Kansas
Sam Ford
Broadcast/Journalism Trailblazer
Washington, D.C.
Bureau Chief
abc7 News
Dr. Sharla Smith
Doris Kerr Larkins, Rising Star Award
Assistant Professor
School of Medicine
University of Kansas
Exhibition Sponsors
Jill Docking
Previous Honorees
2000
Melina Banks
Riley Banks, Jr.
Jo Gardenhire
Harold Cary
Spencer Tolbert
Cleo Littleton
Terrence McDonald, M.D.
Melvin Parks
Josephine Brown
Jessie Foust
Val Brown Sr., M.D.
Dennis Shaw
Samuel Adams
Judge Greg Waller
Floyd Powell
Vashti Lewis, Ph.D.
Rev Kenneth L. Davis
Curtis McClinton
Bishop J.C. Gilkey, Sr.
E. Ceasus Tyree
2002
George Johnson
Rudy Love
John Allen
Anderson Eugene Jackson
Abner Val Jean Jackson
Bernice Hutcherson
Johnathan Wells
Mildred Ingram
Dr. William Burney
Billy Randle, Sr.
Jennifer Jones
Chief Norman Williams
Zenobia Washington
Julius McLaurian
Billy Q. McCray
Rev. Jettie P. Dennis, Jr.
Charles Doughty
Dr. Donald Jackson
2009
Xavia Hightower-Howard
Shon Gables
Cheryl Brown Henderson
Rev Oliver L. Brown
2010
Ralph Reid
Rosie Hughes
Barry Sanders
2011
Angela Bates
Lynette Woodard
Linwood Sexton
2012
Ed Dwight
Cheryl McAfee-Mitchell
Charyl McAfee Duncan
U.L. “Rip” Gooch
2013
James Reeb
Dockum Sit-in Group
Veryl Switzer
2014
James Hysten
Fern Merrifield Van Giesen
LaFayette Norwood
Dwight Eisenhower
2015
Robert Brogden
Judith Wencel
Willie Jeffries
Donald Hollowell
2016
Kevin Wilmott
Kim Thomas
Godwin Opara
Father Mark Carroll
2017
Kevin Merida
Connie Franklin
Ron Walters
2018
Dr. Alicia Thompson
Karla Burns
Elisha Scott, Sr
2019
Ms. Deltha Q. Colvin
Greg “Hitman” Williams
Gordon Parks
Ebony Clemons-Ajibolade
Community Sponsors
Berry Foundation
McClelland Sound
Heart of Christ Church
Vera & Jim Bothner
Ted D. & Marcia Ayres
Wichita Education Foundation
C. Edward & Gidget Watson
Watkins Public Strategies- Topeka
Carla Eckels family
Amy Hamilton
Morgan Stanley Flinthills Group
Wichita Chapter Links Inc
NE Optimist Club of Wichita
Real Men Real Heroes
Kansas Leadership Center
Wichita SHRM
We Are Culture Sponsors
Keith Pickus
Donna Perline
Charlie & Mary Moon
Jeff & Flora Beasley
Ann Fox
Andrew Nave
Eleaner Keppy
Trudy & John Baker
Lavonta & Billy Williams
Ross & Twila Puritty
Holly Putnam-Jackson
Don & Ellie Skokan
Dr. Kimberly Krull
Kathe Thompson
Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau
Lai-L & Damon Daugherty
Sylvia Steinshouer
Sheila Kinnard
Skyward Bound Solutions
Jeff & Janice Van Sickle
Melissa Knoeber
Melody Miller
TeOndra Phillips
Marvin Stone
Lacey Cruse
Patrice & Charles Poole
Carolyn & Mark McGinn
Theola Cooper
Legacy Bank
Michael Mullins
James & Cynthia Nastars
Marvin Stone Jr.
Sheree & David Utash
Ann & William Woods