The Business Pride Awards, or BPA as it is known in "the Biz," is an opportunity to honor those community and business leaders putting it on the line every day to create a more inclusive business environment.
We honor these leaders by throwing them the social event of the year, including fantastic entertainment, food, beverages, and lots of memories.
Curate your color, Refine your Pose, and Immerse Yourself in the Celebration.
The evening will include dinner provided through food stations, plenty of beverages, and colorful desserts. Please prepare to cheer on our winning businesses and close it down with lots of community and dancing.
Date: Friday, June 28th, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
The Midland Theater
Dress Code: Bold Monochrome (choose a color and dress head to toe to impress!)
Sponsorship Opportunities will soon be available for companies and individuals.
2024 BPA Special Guest Speaker
Carmen Carrera
Carmen Carrera is a famous transgender model, actress, performer and activist who received her start with RuPaul’s Drag Race. As a featured model, Carmen has worked with PUMA and has walked shows at New York City Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week. In fact, she was the first transgender model to ever walk at Miami Swim Week. Her fans are very passionate, where they created a petition for her to be the first transgender Victoria Secret Model, which went viral creating international media attention. In a very special project “Show Girl”, Carmen was photographed by the legendary Steven Meisel for a spread in W Magazine. She also did a special project with HBO creating Transgender Awareness in Latin America for the show “Outpost” and was the face of the New York City Health Department’s #PlaySure Campaign. Other recent highlights include Carmen partnering with Christina Aguilera performing at Radio City Music Hall and hosting events at the Sundance Film Festival for AT&T and at NYC Fashion Week for Fashion News Live on Amazon Prime. Carmen spoke at the Iowa Safe Schools Governor’s Conference, which is the largest LGBTQ Youth Conference in the country and was the special celebrity host for the Equality California Awards in San Francisco. Carmen continues to be advocate for many great causes, including Human Rights, HIV Prevention, and Discrimination against Transgender Women.
Welcome to the 2024 BPA Nominations Process!
- MAY 7, 2024 MIDNIGHT: Nominations close
- MAY 14: All organizations and individuals that have been recognized through the nomination process will be announced.
- MAY 21: Top nominees that will be continuing to the voting round will be announced and finalist voting ballot will be available to all Chamber members.
- MAY 28, MIDNIGHT: Finalist voting closes.
Find out who wins at the Business Pride Awards Gala!
2023 Business Pride Award Winners
LGBTBE of the Year – Aspis
Corporate Partner of the Year – Commerce Bank
Non-Profit of the Year – No Divide KC
Chamber Champion of the Year – Ken Strickland
Government Official of the Year – Chris Hernandez
Employee Resource Group of the Year - McGownGordon
Ally of the Year -Carolyn Campbell Schwartz
2022 Business Pride Award Winners
LGBTBE of the Year – Dutzel’s Catering
LGBT Owned Business of the Year – City Gym
Corporate Partner of the Year – G.E.H.A.
Non-Profit of the Year – SAVE Inc
Ally Small Business of the Year - Active Health KC