In the Mix

The first day of summer is around the corner, and multi-instrumentalist Skinny Hightower is ready for it. The jazz artist, with number one hits on Billboard, released a new song called “Summer Anthem,” which he created in one day. On this edition of “In The Mix,” Carla Eckels spent the day in his studio to watch the magic unfold.

We check mics and set up screens with a local audio-visual expert on this month's In The Mix.

A teen and her mother search for the perfect quinceañera dress in a Wichita boutique as they prepare for a milestone celebration that marks the bridge from childhood to young womanhood.

KWCH 12 morning news anchor Felicia Rolfe is a familiar face for many in the Wichita area. Outside of her day job, she’s known for her volunteer work, emceeing events across town and giving back to the community through mentoring. Carla Eckels talks to Rolfe for this month's "In the Mix."

This Valentine's Day, you may get a knock at your door from Grammy-nominated vocalist Roy Moye III. He is offering singing telegrams throughout Wichita this weekend. For this edition of In The Mix, Carla Eckels has more on Moye’s effort to share his passion.

Housed in the archives of the Museum of World Treasures is a rare piece of civil rights history.

This month on "In The Mix," Carla Eckels talks to a son of a veteran who is helping to bring the joy of Christmas to children.

Candy Taylor knows a thing or two about Native American culture. Following a 17-year stint as a director at a museum in Oklahoma, Taylor recently became the new director of the Mid-America All Indian Museum in Wichita. She’s eager to help visitors learn more about Native American history and culture.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Legislation promoting the CROWN Act was discussed during a hearing recently at the Kansas Statehouse. The proposed bill would prohibit discrimination in the workplace against natural hairstyles.

For this edition of In The Mix, Carla Eckels talks with Wichitan Paris Jane about creating her own greeting cards featuring people of color…

Business executive Karen S. Carter explains how she puts together her management team.

Discover the little-known history behind a school from Wichita’s Native American past.

Mariama Beemer says her new Black-owned business is an opportunity to express herself and connect with her origins and roots.

For this edition of In The Mix, Carla Eckels talks with Rick Case about his daily schedule as Wichita State’s first gentleman.

Miss Kansas’ Teen 2023 Erin Rolfe uses her platform to promote mental health.

Harold Miller was the first Black air traffic controller at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport in the 1970s. The story of his career — will join the tales of other black aviation pioneers — as part of the Rip Gooch Black Aviators exhibit at the Kansas Aviation Museum.

U.S. Labor official Delia Garcia wrote a book that shares the wisdom and insight of 50 Latina women from across the country.

A new documentary explores the lingering pain from the 1965 Piatt Street Plane Crash.

Elvira Valenzuela Crocker was inducted into the Fairmount College Hall of Fame at Wichita State University last month.

The Sweet Spot executive chef Preston Darnell spends as much time creating savory meals as he does sweet desserts.

Wichita's Urban Preparatory Academy was awarded a $500,000 prize.

Dr. Val Brown, Jr. talks about being a third-generation physician and one of the first Black doctors to graduate from the KU School of Medicine in Wichita.

A newly formed business organization wants to provide support for LGBTQ businesses.

Visit a new event that helps promote minority-owned businesses in Wichita.

Kansas Rep. Ponka-We Victors tries to bring attention to the growing concern of missing Native American women.

A club at Maize South High School wants to help students of color feel more comfortable.

David Parks reflects on Superfly's landmark soundtrack.

We stuffed an entire mariachi band into one of our recording studios. Hear what happens next...

For this month’s In The Mix, Carla Eckels speaks with Keena Charles, the CEO and founder of Violence Impact Victim Assistance.

In this edition of In The Mix, Carla Eckels talks with Mid-America Orthopedics founder Dr. Pat Do about his latest passion.