She refused to back down; how this gamechanger earned a spot on the field with the KC Current
April 9, 2024 | Startland News Staff
As a history-making season rolls on for the Kansas City Current, a recent match proved the perfect opportunity to honor the founder and CEO of WeCode KC, said Christina Lively, detailing Tammy Buckner’s selection as the first “Gamechanger” award winner.
“Tammy’s story is the perfect example of pursuing your dream and refusing to back down because of barriers or other roadblocks standing in the way,” said Lively, vice president and chief marketing officer for Blue KC, which launched the honor alongside the KC Current women’s soccer club. “Aside from creating a remarkable program, Tammy is an inspiration to dreamers everywhere by showing that hard work, perseverance and determination can help you reach and exceed your goals.”
Buckner was recognized for her role in paving the way for women in Kansas City’s tech community during the KC Current’s victory March 30 against Angel City FC at CPKC Stadium.
Launched during the 2024 season, the Blue KC Gamechanger program highlights local individuals blazing the trail for all women across the Kansas City area. A Blue KC Gamechanger inspires bold ambition in all his or her work, enriching the community around them and enacting positive change through intentional action.
Buckner is the honoree for April.
The founder of a minority woman-owned technology solutions company called Equity Digital in 2004, she later found expanded impact with WeCode KC, a nonprofit organization she launched in 2019 that provides training and opportunities in the tech world for youth aged 7 to 26 from the urban core.
RELATED: WeCode KC, high school partner to launch cybersecurity program for students
Tammy Buckner, WeCode KC; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
“I wanted to make sure the next generation of technologists didn’t have to go through the challenges and barriers that I went through,” Buckner said. “There were so many opportunities that I felt that I got passed over because of being a female in a male-dominated industry.”
She serves as a thought leader and advocate for entrepreneurship and diversifying technology to close the black tech gap by making changes in the education system, preparing a pipeline of diverse tech professionals and promoting retention initiatives, according to Blue KC.
ICYMI: Tammy Buckner codes new career path for teens, a ‘Scouts’ for technology
“We are proud to have Tammy as the inaugural Blue KC Gamechanger at CPKC Stadium,” said Ben Aken, vice president of community relations for the KC Current. “We are looking forward to featuring other Gamechangers who are paving the way for women in powerful and impactful ways.”
The KC Current and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC), the team’s official health insurance partner, are collecting nominations for future awardees with winners to be announced through September. As with Buckner, those selected will be featured as part of an on-field recognition during halftime at select Kansas City Current home matches. In addition, Blue KC Gamechangers and their guests will also get to watch pre-match warmups from the pitch at CPKC Stadium.
The KC Current opened its season in March at CPKC Stadium, the first facility of its kind purpose-built exclusively for a professional women’s soccer team.
RELATED: Designed with minimal parking, KC Current wants you to carpool to team’s next home match
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Endeavor could bring its global capital network to KC startups; leaders weigh its local need
Leaders from the Heartland division of Endeavor on Monday gave local entrepreneurs a first look at capital, resources, and programming that could come to Kansas City as the global nonprofit considers expansion into the region. During the preview event, organized as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, representatives from Endeavor’s regional office in Northwest Arkansas discussed…
Jason Sudeikis’ rockstar karaoke fantasy returns: Here’s why Thundergong! matters to homegrown ‘Ted Lasso’ star
Kansas City is the “secret sauce” in the recipes for Thundergong! and Big Slick, said Jason Sudeikis, who helps host the two high-profile events. The Overland Park native and “Ted Lasso” star was in Kansas City Friday to promote the annual Thundergong! fundraiser for Steps of Faith Foundation — returning Saturday at the Uptown Theater.…
Triple (stitched) threat: Olathe apparel shop brings design, sewing, printing in-house with shirts hitting store shelves soon
Adam Worrel’s vision for a fabric-to-finish apparel and screen printing business is finally sewing itself together — nearly 4,000 miles from where it began — with a label made in KC. First formulating the idea in 2010, he imagined creating a line with production and printing in-house and as much control over the supply chain as…
Why employers should hire veterans: KC entrepreneurs say combat prepared them for startup life
Effectively communicating the skills and experiences gained from military service can be a major challenge for veterans, said Zachary Oshinbanjo. Too often that disconnect contributes to unemployment or mental health struggles when a service member returns to civilian life. “Many veterans may have gone straight from high school into the military and now are looking…