Race, Place & Diversity Honorees
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey is pleased to honor the following distinguished guests at this year’s awards
National Honoree: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II
Help us honor Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II for his incredible impact on fostering inclusion and diversity across the United States. A vocal champion for civil rights, he introduced the Justice For All Act of 2025 to restore the original intent of civil rights laws. Congressman Cleaver has also addressed disparities in the legal field and pushed for greater representation within the tech industry. He introduced the Real Estate Valuation Fairness and Improvement Act to combat appraisal discrimination and the Endowment Transparency Act to promote accountability and equal opportunity for diverse-owned firms in college and university investments.
Local Honoree: Sophic Solutions (Dr. Rodney & Stephenie Smith, MSW)
Let us celebrate Stephenie and Rodney Smith of Sophic Solutions for their transformative leadership in advancing the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across the Kansas City region. As a dynamic change management consulting firm, Sophic Solutions has left a lasting imprint on the community by offering expert consultation and management solutions to a wide range of organizations, that span a variety of industries. Their impactful collaboration with the Kauffman Foundation played a pivotal role in helping to establish the KC Race, Equity, and Inclusion Project. This work, along with a number of additional community-focused endeavors, exemplifies their unwavering commitment to meaningful change. Their work continues to inspire and uplift communities across the country!