Urban League board, guild members and staff welcomed an appreciative group of community and business members to their annual Equal Opportunity Day Dinner on Thurs., May 1 at the Holiday Inn East in Wichita. the organization’s annual
The program, themed “Together We Are Strong: Celebrating Second Chances” honored seven individuals and organizations with special awards.
Honorees included:
Jondalyn Marshall – Community Advocate Award As Director of Administration for the non-profit youth advocacy organization Root the Power since 2018, Marshall has guided the program through a successful expansion in size and impact.
TyJuan Davis – Community Advocate Award You can find Davis working in the community in numerous ways including through his non-profit Gap Bridgers 316 that works to bridge gaps between communities by sponsoring events full of community resources, help aids, church participation, and informative guest speakers.
Rev. C. Richard Kirkendoll – Volunteer of the Year This new award recognizes an Urban League volunteer who has made a great positive impact on the organization over the past year. This past year, Kirkendoll, who is senior pastor of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, has served as president of the Urban League Guild – the volunteer auxiliary of the League
Commissioner Ryan Baty – Whitney M. Young Leadership Award Baty, the 4th District County Commissioner, is a Wichita native who returned home after a career as a professional baseball player and founded Mattress Hub. He serves in multiple non profits that focus on issues ranging from foster care, mental health and public schools and for more than a decade, served as volunteer associate pastor at Family Church in Wichita
Jodee B. Catering Service (Jodee Bradley) – Willie Kendrick Small Business Award This award, in its second year, was named after the late Willie Kendrick, who was a successful entrepreneur who built his business as the Wichita franchisee for Popeye’s Chicken. During her acceptance speech, honoree Bradley confirmed she used to work at Popeyes. Since then Bradly has built a successful and sought after mobile catering business in Wichita.
Thrasher Systems, Inc. (John Thrasher) – Corporate Diversity Award Thrasher Services is an air condition, heating and plumbing contractor _- not the foundation company – known for quality service and giving back to those who are less fortunate.
Kiah Duggins (posthumously) – Emerging Leader Award Duggins, a Wichita native and civil rights attorney, was a young leader whose life was cut short in the crash of American Airlines Flight 5342 on January 29. Duggins, a Wichita State University and Harvard Law graduate, at the time of her death, was preparing to start a job as an instructor at Howard Law School.
To a standing ovation, her parents Dr. Maurice and Gwen Duggins accepted the award.
“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.
