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2021 TRAILBLAZERS
Resilience, Respect, Resound...the Journey Forward
A BROADCAST AND STREAMING EVENT
Why We Remember
For more than two decades, 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 Broadcast and Streaming event, A Tribute to Trailblazers. Each year this event proudly honors a new class of inductees into an esteemed, established “Hall of Fame.”
What Is A Trailblazer?
A Trailblazer is a leader, a pacesetter, a pioneer, and each year we honor individuals who have made a significant impact in their respective professions. A Posthumous Trailblazer is awarded to those who have walked the path before us and given us hope as we move into the future.
The Doris Kerr Larkins "Rising Star Award"
TKAAM started a new chapter at Trailblazers in 2019, honoring the legacy of courage and vision with the Doris Kerr Larkins "Rising Star Award."
Ms. Kerr Larkins and many of her family and friends led the charge in the 1970's to establish the old Calvary Baptist Church Building on the National Registry of Historic Buildings, creating a home for The Kansas African American Museum.
The "Rising Star Award" reminds Wichita and the state of Kansas about the sacrifice Doris Kerr Larkins made to preserve a historic piece of African American Legacy in Wichita.
2021 Presenting Sponsor
Hall of Fame Sponsor
Honoree Sponsors
Print Sponsor
Heritage Sponsors
2021 Honorees
Hon. Julie A. Robinson
Legal/Law Trailblazer
U.S. District Judge
District of Kansas
Sheinelle Jones-Ojeh
Broadcast/Journalism Trailblazer
News Anchor
Co-Host of the Today Show
NBC
Wanda Parker-Givens
Civic Trailblazer
Deputy Chief,
City of Wichita
Police Department
John Brooks Slaughter
Engineering/Sciences Trailblazer
Professor
Univ. of Southern
California
Dr. Larry Mitnaul
Doris Kerr Larkins, Rising Star Award
Adolescent Psychiatrist
Ascension Via Christi
Exhibition Sponsors
Community Sponsors
Berry Foundation
Commerce Bank
Heart of Christ Church
Ted D. & Marcia Ayres
Morgan Stanley
McClelland Sound
USD 259
Martinizing Dry Cleaning
Wichita Chapter of Links Inc.
Watkins Public Strategies
Capital City Oil, Inc.
Wichita SHRM
Bethel College
Delta Dental
Holy Savior Catholic Academy
Automation-Plus
Dondlinger and Sons Construction
Gregory & Carol Cole
Amy Hamilton
Kanza Bank
Nigerian Association
Wichita State University
Wichita Chamber of Commerce
Communication Federal Credit Union
Washburn University School of Law
Special Thanks
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2023Brian Alexander Morgan Hon. Gwynne E. Birzer Karen S. Carter Deborah Gladney & Angela Muhwezi - Hall John Mclendon
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2022Dr. Kevass J. Harding Delano E. Lewis June Bacon - Bercey Roy Moye III
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2021Wanda Parker-Givens Sheinelle Jones-Ojeh Dr. Larry Mitnaul Hon. Julie A. Robinson John Brooks Slaughter
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2020Carla Eckels Junetta Everett Hattie McDaniel Sam Ford Sharla Smith, Ph.D.
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2019Ms. Deltha Q. Colvin Greg “Hitman” Williams Gordon Parks Ebony Clemons-Ajibolade
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2018Dr. Alicia Thompson Karla Burns Elisha Scott, Sr
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2017Kevin Merida Connie Franklin Ron Walters
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2016Kevin Wilmott Kim Thomas Godwin Opara Father Mark Carroll
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2015Robert Brogden Judith Wencel Willie Jeffries Donald Hollowell
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2014James Hysten Fern Merrifield Van Giesen LaFayette Norwood Dwight Eisenhower
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2013James Reeb Dockum Sit-in Group Veryl Switzer
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2012Ed Dwight Cheryl McAfee-Mitchell Charyl McAfee Duncan U.L. “Rip” Gooch
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2011Angela Bates Lynette Woodard Linwood Sexton
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2010Ralph Reid Rosie Hughes Barry Sanders
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2009Xavia Hightower-Howard Shon Gables Cheryl Brown Henderson Rev Oliver L. Brown
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2002George 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
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2000Melina 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