The Urban League of Kansas will posthumously recognize Kiah Duggins, a Wichita native and civil rights attorney, with the Emerging Leader Award at its Equal Opportunity Dinner and Awards Ceremony on May 1, 2025.
Duggins died on January 29, 2025, in an aviation accident near Washington, D.C., at the age of 30. She was among 67 individuals who lost their lives when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River during its approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Duggins graduated from Wichita State University, where she co-founded the Shocker Food Locker and served as an Ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion. She interned at the White House under First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let Girls Learn initiative, which focused on girls’ education.
She later earned her law degree from Harvard University, where she served as president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. Duggins worked as a civil rights attorney with the Civil Rights Corps, focusing on unconstitutional policing and money bail reform. At the time of her death, she was preparing to join the faculty at Howard University School of Law.
“Kiah pursued her dreams, overcame challenges, and stood as a beacon of what’s possible when opportunity meets determination,” said Cindy Miles, President and CEO of the Urban League of Kansas.
The Equal Opportunity Dinner will be held at the Holiday Inn East ballroom, with a reception and silent auction at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program at 6:30 p.m.
Additional 2025 honorees include:
Jondalyn Marshall & Tjuan Davis – Community Advocate Award
Rev. C. Richard Kirkendoll – Volunteer of the Year
Commissioner Ryan Baty – Whitney M. Young Leadership Award
Jodee B. Catering Service (Jodee Bradley) – Willie Kendrick Small Business Award
Thrasher Systems, Inc. (John Thrasher) – Corporate Diversity Award
Tickets are available at: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/ss8gzy5
About the Equal Opportunity Dinner
The Wichita Urban League, a branch of the national organization, works to empower African Americans and other underserved communities to achieve economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. The local branch was founded in 1954.
The Equal Opportunity Dinner has been one of the local chapters longest running events and recognizes individuals and organizations that promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the Wichita area.
