2023 TRAILBLAZERS
NOVEMBER 10, 2023
Inspire, Ignite, Innovate... Embracing the Future!
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.
2023 Sponsors
Hall of Fame Presenting Sponsor
Honoree Sponsors
Print Sponsor
Heritage Sponsors
2023 Honorees
Brian Alexander Morgan
Music Trailblazer
Grammy Award Nominated
Music Pioneer
Hon. Gwynne E. Birzer
Civic & Law Trailblazer
United States Magistrate
Kansas
John Mclendon
Sports Trailblazer
Collegiate & Professional Basketball Coach (Posthumous)
Karen S. Carter
Business Trailblazer
President
Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics
Deborah Gladney & Angela Muhwezi - Hall
Doris Kerr Larkins, Rising Star Award
Co- Founders of WorkTorch
Exhibition Sponsors
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