2025 Blue KC Gamechanger Honoree Komal Kaur
Giving Immigrants a Voice
Komalpreet Kaur was born in the United States, but she has first-hand knowledge of the difficulty in assimilating into a new culture. Her parents both immigrated to the United States in the early 1990s because of government-sponsored genocide in their native Punjab region of northern India.
Komal has only known living in America, although it was a very diverse environment in New York City. But when she was 13, her family moved from New York to Olathe, Kan., where she had to learn a new culture. She went from a life where nearly everyone in the neighborhood spoke a different language, and English as a Second Language (ESL) and in-class translating were the norm, to being the “only one different.”
She adapted and learned to fit in, without changing who she was and what she believed. But a few years later, with racial tensions mounting, she decided to take action.
She formed an effort to help immigrants tell their stories. Eventually, that developed into “Eye of an Immigrant,” an organization that helps immigrants with the legal pathway to citizenship. “Eye of an Immigrant” provides assistance with applications for citizenship services. Storytelling is a big part of the picture.
Because of that, Komal will receive the April “Blue KC Gamechanger” award. Launched during the 2024 season, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the Kansas City Current teamed up to create this exclusive program highlighting local individuals blazing trails for all women across the Kansas City area. A Blue KC Gamechanger inspires bold ambition in all their work, enriching the community around them and enacting positive change through intentional action.
“Eye of an Immigrant’s” services are provided through partner attorneys and accredited organizations.
“Our goal is to ensure that everyone seeking help is met with dignity, care and access to accurate information through accredited professionals,” Komal said.
Komal believes that it’s not just the legal aspect that creates hardship for immigrants. Not fitting in can be as debilitating as the legal red tape. So, storytelling is a critical aspect of her organization’s approach.
“What I was seeing in the media was a false portrayal of the true reality of immigration,” Komal said. “The majority of immigrants in the United States—our true stories and our contributions—were not being reflected. I wanted to take control of what I could in that moment, and that started with the storytelling.
“If I took some time to highlight a few people right here in Kansas City who come from immigrant backgrounds, who are contributing to our communities economically and who have a lot of cultural influence as well, maybe people will begin to understand why immigration happens and what immigration actually means to the United States.”
“Komal is a great example of using her passion and skill for helping immigrants integrate into life in America, specifically Kansas City,” said Blue KC Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Jenny Housley. “We are very proud of Komal, and we are excited to recognize her as our April Blue KC Gamechanger!”
“We at the KC Current are proud to recognize and celebrate Kansas Citians making a positive impact on the community as the Blue KC Gamechanger award returns for another season,” said Kansas City Current Vice President, Community Relations Ben Aken. “Komal’s inspiring work makes her a fantastic first honoree of the 2025 season.”
Komal is attending the University of Kansas currently, with aspirations of going to law school. She will be active in “Eye of an Immigrant” for the foreseeable future. Maybe someday, she will be one of the partner attorneys helping immigrants with the process.
If that happens, Komal, a very humble young lady, doesn’t see herself sharing with potential clients that she was the founder of “Eye of an Immigrant.”
“I would probably just say my parents were immigrants,” she said, “and I was inspired by their stories.”
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