Our team has established a meaningful tradition to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Each year, we serve at one of our member non-profit organizations, then join regional leaders at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy & Scholarship Awards Dinner, which is sponsored by the Olathe, Overland Park and Leawood NAACP. This year, our service took place at TurnStyles Thrift on 87th Street, the flagship thrift store operated by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. There, we worked together to refresh and organize the racks of clothing after a bustling weekend, making it easier for customers to find what they need and supporting the store’s mission to help those in need.

Our organization has been proud to host a table at the NAACP dinner for many years. This year was particularly special, as Overland Park Mayor Skoog was honored with the Legacy Award for his steadfast commitment to improving the lives of all Overland Park residents. In their announcement, the NAACP recognized Mayor Skoog’s leadership, noting that his efforts have fostered economic growth, strengthened community ties, and enhanced the overall quality of life for everyone in Overland Park.

The NAACP typically announces its honorees ahead of time. This year, I was genuinely surprised when my name was called for an occasionally presented honor: the Hero of Diversity Award. When our team reached out to Henry Lyons, President of the NAACP, for more information, he explained, “This award was established to give recognition to members in the metro area who make society a better place to live. These are people who don’t get media attention, nor do they seek it, or will you hear people talking about them a lot, but they are the ones who deserve recognition. We have been working with Tracey for many years and have grown to know her as one of the area’s unsung heroes and treats everyone with fairness.”

It was both humbling and an honor to be recognized alongside Mayor Skoog and the other distinguished honorees. I am proud to accept this award on behalf of the Chamber’s leadership, dedicated staff, and countless volunteers who, for nearly sixty years, have worked to create a community where everyone can prosper and feel welcome. Our community vision, ForwardOP, reaffirms our commitment to being an innovative, forward-thinking, and welcoming community and the Chamber incorporates these values into our planning each year.

This fall, the Chamber conducted a community poll of Overland Park voters to gauge quality of life and policy views. The results were overwhelmingly positive: 87% of Overland Park voters, across the political spectrum, agreed that Overland Park is a welcoming community.

No community is perfect, and every day brings new challenges in our ongoing effort to ensure that everyone in our community can thrive. Yet, it is essential to remember that valuing and respecting one another and welcoming everyone at the table forms a solid foundation for the work that lies ahead.