In the Mix

Carla Eckels brings you thoughtful community stories every month on In the Mix.

'SEEDS' examines the joys and struggles of black farmers

A new documentary featured at this year's Tallgrass Film Festival resonates with interim executive director Sierra Franklin-Morton. “SEEDS” is a film that shines a light on Black farmers, their struggles, resilience and legacy. Franklin-Morton’s family owns farms in both Kansas and Oklahoma. For this installment of “In The Mix,” Carla Eckels speaks with Franklin-Morton about how the film connects to her own family history.

10-10
03:29

Discover the sounds of a decades-old gospel album recorded in a historic Wichita church

The choir at St. Paul AME Church recorded a gospel album back in 1968. For this month’s In the Mix, Carla Eckels met with two of the singers on that recording.

09-12
03:31

TKAAM executive director wants to turn museum into cultural hub

Shane Carter has only been the executive director of The Kansas African American Museum for three months, but one of his missions is to turn the museum’s new downtown space a premier destination for visitors.

08-08
03:31

An architect gives back to Wichita's North End

Architect and designer Erik Loya designed a building for the neighborhood that helped raise him.

07-11
03:20

Evergreen Community Center & Library kicks off its summer reading program

KMUW’s Carla Eckels visited Evergreen Community Center and Library for the kickoff of the Wichita Public Libraries’ summer reading program and has more for this month’s “In The Mix.”

06-13
03:29

Finding joy in the unexpected journey of motherhood

Mother’s Day is a time of reflection for retired educator and counselor Lola McLaurian, who has been a mother for nearly 60 years and has three grown children. For this edition of “In The Mix,” Carla Eckels visited McLaurian in her Kechi home to talk about motherhood.

05-09
03:24

A North Wichita barbershop figures out a way to support the community in style

On this month's "In the Mix," Carla Eckels takes a look at a business that cuts hair and supports the city.

04-11
03:30

First Black Wichita Festivals president hopes to make a splash with Riverfest

The new CEO of Wichita Festivals says it takes a village to put on Riverfest.

03-14
03:23

Love songs that stick with us through the years

For Valentine’s Day, Carla Eckels looks at a quintessential symbol of love: The love song. For this edition of "In the Mix," Carla introduces us to three people and the songs that have stayed with them through the years.

02-14
03:28

MLK Celebration keynote speaker wants to inspire everyday citizens to make an impactful difference

For this month’s “In The Mix,” Carla Eckels talks with a featured speaker for one of this month’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations.

01-10
03:22

New WAM exhibit centers Black culture and everyday life through portraits

A new Wichita Art Museum exhibit by painter Robert Peterson showcases daily African-American life. The exhibition will run through January 5, 2025.

12-13
03:16

A foster care advocate reflects on the Thanksgivings she's had around many tables

Foster care advocate Alexandria Ware grew up in many different homes from the age of 3 to 18. Now she reflects on all the tables she sat around, as well as the work she is doing to make the lives of foster kids better.

11-15
03:23

Tallgrass Film Festival to honor the legacy of Hattie McDaniel

The Tallgrass Film Festival will celebrate Hattie McDaniel's legacy later this month and her great-grandnephew, Kevin Goff, will be there to take part — as well as to visit the late actress' hometown.

10-11
03:27

Miss Kansas on Miss America prep and using platform to promote healthy relationships

Alexis Smith was crowned Miss Kansas this summer and she's getting a lot of attention from in and out of the state, particularly for speaking out against domestic violence. For Smith, it's a community service initiative that's all too personal.

09-13
03:32

Muslim students gear up for classes: Reading, writing and memorizing the Quran

On this month's "In the Mix," KMUW's Carla Eckels follows a small private school in Wichita as it gets ready for its students to return.

08-09
03:26

WSU teacher Carolyn Williams on addiction and challenging the stigma around it

On this month's In The Mix, Carla Eckels talks with Carolyn Williams, who teaches a popular class at Wichita State University that explores the impact of alcohol and addiction.

07-12
03:24

Take a cruise down 'Front Beach Road' with Bongo Bobby

For this month's "In The Mix," Carla Eckels talks with "Bongo" Bobby Thomas about creating music and how he developed his passion for the bongos.

06-07
03:32

Teacher and activist Delmar Uqualla on the resilient nature of her Native roots

On this month's "In the Mix," Carla Eckels talks with a Wichita woman who’s on a mission to share her Native pride.

05-10
03:26

New traveling exhibit honors the women of Brown v. Board of Education

A new exhibit celebrates the women behind the Brown v. Board desegregation case.

04-12
03:31

A Wichita fish lover escapes into aquascapes

For this month's In The Mix, Carla Eckels talk with a Wichita woman who’s head over tails for her pet fishes.

03-15
03:25

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