top of page

2023 TRAILBLAZERS

Trailblazers -nd brown_edited.png

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Inspire, Ignite, Innovate... Embracing the Future!

A BROADCAST AND STREAMING EVENT

Gold Stripe Bacground.jpg

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"

Doris Kerr Larking Image_edited.png

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.

2023 Sponsors

Hall of Fame Presenting Sponsor

Brogden Logo.png

Honoree Sponsors

evergylogo.png
Dow_Chemical_Company_logo.svg.png

Print Sponsor

Heritage Sponsors

unnamed (3).png

2023 Honorees

gettyimages-634994542-1024x1024.jpg

Brian Alexander Morgan

Music Trailblazer

Grammy Award Nominated

Music Pioneer

GEB Portrait 10.2021.jpg

Hon. Gwynne E. Birzer

Civic & Law Trailblazer

United States Magistrate

Kansas

57c882733f1f6.image.jpg

John Mclendon

Sports Trailblazer

Collegiate & Professional Basketball Coach (Posthumous)

1672420662126.jpeg

Karen S. Carter

Business Trailblazer

President

Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics

Deborah and Angela.jpg

Deborah Gladney & Angela Muhwezi - Hall

Doris Kerr Larkins, Rising Star Award

Co- Founders of WorkTorch

Exhibition Sponsors

logo-site-85-years-v2.png
fs-logo-new-attorneys-tagline.png
intrust-bank-logo-dff3fd6e.png
image003.png

Community Sponsors

AARP of Kansas
Chapel Hill United Methodist Church
Commerce Bank
Communication Federal Credit Union
Wichita Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc
Friends University
Givens Cleaning Contractors
Great Jobs KC
Jackson Mortuary
Kansas Leadership Center

McClelland Sound
Storytime Village
The Trust Company of Kansas
Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation
Washburn University School of Law
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
Wichita Chapter of Links Inc.
Wichita Public Schools – USD 259
Wichita SHRM Chapter

Special Thanks

KMUW-Logo-Black-Text.png
pjc new .png
rsm-logo.png
Nichole redd events.jpg
ep-logo.png
bottom of page