For Immediate Release: April 3, 2024
For more information contact:
Kelly Cannon
Kelly.Cannon@BlueKC.com
O: 816-395-3711
THE BLUE KC GAMECHANGER WAS RECOGNIZED AT CPKC STADIUM ON MARCH 30
KANSAS CITY, MO. (April 3, 2024) — As the Kansas City Current’s history-making season continues, one individual was recognized at CPKC Stadium for her role in paving the way for women in our community. The Current and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC), the team’s official health insurance partner, teamed up to honor Tammy Buckner as the inaugural winner of the Blue KC Gamechanger award. Buckner, who was recognized during the KC Current’s victory against Angel City FC at CPKC Stadium on March 30, founded a minority woman-owned technology solutions company called Equity Digital in 2004.
“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.”
Buckner didn’t stop there. In 2019, she became the founder and CEO of WeCode KC, a nonprofit organization that provides training and opportunities in the tech world for youth aged 7 to 26 from the urban core. She is 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.
“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 Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Christina Lively. “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.”
“We are proud to have Tammy as the inaugural Blue KC Gamechanger at CPKC Stadium,” said VP of Community Relations Ben Aken. “We are looking forward to featuring other Gamechangers who are paving the way for women in powerful and impactful ways.”
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.
The Blue KC Gamechanger is selected from nominations collected by Blue KC and the Current and recognized one time per month (April through September) 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. Buckner is the Blue KC Gamechanger for April.
About the Kansas City Current
Founded in December 2020, the Kansas City Current is led by the ownership group of Angie Long, Chris Long, Brittany Mahomes and Patrick Mahomes. The team competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The Kansas City Current opened the first stadium purpose-built for a professional women’s soccer team on March 16, 2024 in front of a sold out crowd of 11,500. To receive periodic updates on the new CPKC Stadium at Berkley Riverfront Park, visit here to sign up for more information or to stay connected.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, the largest not-for-profit health insurer in Missouri and the only not-for-profit commercial health insurer in Kansas City, has been part of the Kansas City community since 1938. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City provides health coverage services to more than one million residents in the greater Kansas City area, including Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and 30 counties in Northwest Missouri. Our mission: to provide affordable access to healthcare and to improve the health of our members. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information on the company, visit its website at BlueKC.com
