Race, Place & Diversity Awards

2022 Awards

November 3, 2022
5:45 PM VIP Reception
7:00 PM Awards Dinner

Sheraton Crown Center
2345 McGee St
Kansas City, MO 64108

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Olympian and Philanthropist

Qiana Thomason

President and CEO, Health Forward Foundation

For more than 38 years, Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) has created opportunities to unify the Kansas City community with culturally diverse programs, performances, and events.

The Race, Place & Diversity (RPD) Award was created to honor an individual and/or organization whose actions demonstrate a commitment to advance diversity and equity.

KCFAA is proud to present our annual Race, Place & Diversity Award to Olympian and philanthropist, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and the President and CEO of the Health Forward Foundation, Qiana Thomason. In addition, we will also be honoring Mrs. Joyner-Kersee with our inaugural Hoffman Legacy Honoree, endowed by KCFAA’s friends, Sharon and John Hoffman. Our event co-chairs for our annual RPD Awards Dinner are Calvin Ricks and Peg VanWagoner.

In addition to her incredible Sports Illustrated-recognized athleticism and her six wins at the Olympics, Jackie Joyner-Kersee has expanded her reach into the philanthropy sector. As founder of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee foundation, she has made it her mission to improve the quality of life for youth, adults, and families, specifically in the East St. Louis Area. Mrs. Joyner-Kersee has vigorously strived to improve children’s education, public health, racial equality, social reform and women’s rights.

Kansas City’s own Qiana Thomason has made her primary focus in bettering healthcare for minority communities after experiencing personal inequality with her medical providers. Since becoming president and CEO of Health Forward Foundation in 2020, she has worked to improve the care and wellness of those in marginalized conditions.Dia Wall

Join us for this year’s dinner honoring our recipients with moderator and emcee, award-winning journalist and author, KSHB’s Dia Wall at the Sheraton Crown Center.. We will start our evening with a VIP reception with our award recipients at 5:30 p.m. on November 3, finishing off with our awards dinner at 7:00 p.m.

We invite you to participate in our sponsorship program for the event, which benefits our KCFAA’s arts education programs. KCFAA thanks you for your contribution and continued support which makes it possible to unify our community through dance.

Sponsor the Event

Sponsorship Levels

Presenting Sponsor - $15,000

  • 16 Tickets (2 table) to Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
  • 16 tickets to VIP reception
  • Logo/name recognition in event invitation and program booklet
  • Logo/name recognition on event screen production, social media and promotions
  • Recognition from the podium
  • 2 Valet Parking Passes

Gold Medal Sponsor - $10,000

  • 10 Tickets (1 table) to Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
  • 10 Tickets to VIP reception
  • Logo/name recognition in event invitation and program booklet
  • Logo/name recognition on event screen production and social media
  • Recognition from the podium
  • 1 Valet Parking Pass

Silver Medal Sponsor - $5,000

  • 8 Tickets (1 table) to Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
  • 8 Tickets to VIP Reception
  • Logo/name recognition in event invitation & program booklet
  • Logo/name recognition on event screen production

Bronze Sponsor - $3,500

  • 8 Tickets (1 table) to Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
  • 4 Tickets to VIP Reception
  • Recognition in event invitation and program booklet
  • Recognition on event screen

Olympian Sponsor - $1,500

  • 6 Tickets to Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
  • 2 Tickets to VIP Reception
  • Recognition in program booklet

Heptathlon Sponsor - $1,000

  • 2 Tickets to Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
  • 2 Tickets to VIP reception
  • Recognition in program booklet

Patron Ticket - $300

  • 1 Ticket to Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
  • 1 Ticket to VIP reception

Dinner Ticket - $150

  • 1 Ticket to Race, Place & Diversity Dinner

To be recognized in event invitation, please respond by September 23, 2022.

Email events@kcfaa.org with questions.