She refused to back down; how this gamechanger earned a spot on the field with the KC Current 

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.

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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.

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“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.

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