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
Fried gator to chicken alfredo: Flavors driving KC Cajun to entrepreneur’s next phase
Kansas City businesses should utilize every resource at their disposal to build stronger brands, said Israel England, owner and operator of KC Cajun. “I’m branching out,” England said with confidence as he detailed his coming venture — adapting his KC Cajun catering service into a food truck. “There is so much more room to improve,…
LaunchKC finalists revealed: Kansas City newsmakers and startup stars in the making
A dozen Kansas City tech entrepreneurs are set to compete next month against a mix of firms from across the country — and one startup from Israel — in arguably the city’s most elite and hotly anticipated pitch event of the year. LaunchKC announced its 20 finalists Tuesday — each vying for their piece of…
‘Buddha was a Baller’ seeks to awaken success without overthinking, Mindsport founder says
Buddha had the mind of an athlete, said Ryan Stock. The spiritual sage on whose teachings Buddhism was founded inspired Stock, creator of the MindSport app and a former basketball coach, to put his own thoughts to paper. His book, “Buddha was a Baller,” is set for release Oct. 28, the Kansas City entrepreneur said.…
Pipeline opens applications for 2019 fellowship class, reveals three-city 1MC pitch event
An application for Pipeline’s 2019 fellowship class isn’t just about next year, said Joni Cobb — it’s an opportunity for a lifetime of support from the organization’s network of developing and top-tier entrepreneurs. “Pipeline is available for life for each entrepreneur who successfully completes the fellowship year,” said Cobb, president and CEO of Pipeline, in…