top of page

2025 TRAILBLAZERS

NOVEMBER 15, 2025

ROOTED IN RESILIENCE. RISING IN UNITY.

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. 

Doris Kerr Larking Image_edited.png

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.

Gold Roots_7x8.jpg

2025 Sponsors

Hall of Fame Presenting Sponsor

RBAG_RGB_Logo_090823.jpg

Honoree Sponsor

evergylogo.png

Heritage Sponsor

2025_11_TKAAM_Meritrust_logo.png

Legacy Sponsor

2025_11_TKAAM_Cap_Fed_Logo.jpg

2025 Honorees

Duggins_Kiah_Headshot.png
Griffin_Adrian_Headshot_1.jpg
Miller_Harold_Headshot.jpg

Kiah Duggins

Doris Kerr Larkins - Rising Star

(Posthumous)

Adrian Griffin

Sports Trailblazer

Harold Miller

STEM  & Aviation Trailblazer

Pelton_Lee_Headshot.jpg

Dr. M. Lee Pelton

Education &

Philanthropy Trailblazer

Jessye_Eva_Headshot.jpeg

Dr. Eva Jessye

Performing Arts Trailblazer (Posthumous)

Exhibition Sponsors

intrust-bank-logo-dff3fd6e.png
FID_FidelityRed.png
logo-site-85-years-v2.png
KS_KAAACLogo_Blue-Gold_PMS.jpg
khf-logo-new.png

Media Sponsor 

Community Sponsors

AARP of Kansas

Golden Plains Credit Union

Kansas Leadership Center

Wichita Chapter of Links Inc.

Holy Savior Catholic Academy

Dondlinger & Sons Construction

Communication Federal Credit Union

Schaefer Architecture

Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce

Wichita Alumnae Chapter of

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Special Thanks

Lundblade House Productions.png
ep-logo.png
bottom of page