Beloved Kansas City awards ceremony to end after 8 years of honoring excellence
Over the past eight years, the Kansas City People’s Choice Awards has grown into one of the urban core’s premier summer events, drawing thousands of attendees to celebrate Black businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, professionals and community leaders.
What began as a grassroots awards program has evolved into a black-tie production complete with a Black Carpet, livestream, live entertainment and hundreds of publicly voted nominees across dozens of categories.
Now, that chapter is coming to a close.
Last week, founder Terrell Ray announced on Facebook that the eighth annual Kansas City People’s Choice Awards ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, July 26, at the Muriel Kauffman Theatre, will be the final in-person awards. The announcement ends an era for an event that has become a fixture of Kansas City’s Black community.
But Ray emphasized that the Kansas City People’s Choice Awards itself is not ending. He is retiring only the live ceremony while the awards will continue in another form.
Past ceremonies have sold more than 1,000 tickets, featured hundreds of nominees selected through public voting and showcased performances by local musicians, dancers and entertainers. Along the way, the awards have recognized everyone from small business owners and educators to fitness professionals, musicians, media personalities and nonprofit leaders.
“I’ve always said I would continue The Kansas City People’s Choice Awards as long as I still had it in my heart to pour into it,” Ray wrote on the announcement. “Over the past eight years, what started as a vision has grown into something that has become a staple in our city. I am deeply grateful for everyone who has supported this vision, believed in it, and helped make it what it is today. Most of all, I thank God for allowing me to serve and create opportunities that have impacted so many people.”
Ray’s announcement also marks the end of his career as an event producer.
The decision, Ray said, has been developing for some time. He explained that he has intentionally become less active on social media and stepped away from nightlife as he prepared for a different season in life. Rather than focusing on producing large public events, he plans to devote more attention to his family, his personal growth and the purpose he believes God has called him to pursue.
“There is no sadness in this announcement only gratitude, peace, and excitement for what’s ahead,” Ray wrote. “Every chapter has prepared me for the next one, and I’m looking forward to walking confidently into this new season.”
Voting for this year’s awards is now closed, but this year’s ceremony carries added significance because it will serve as the final opportunity for many attendees to experience the event in its traditional format. The eighth annual Kansas City People’s Choice Awards begins with the Black Carpet Pre-Show at 4 p.m. on July 26, followed by the awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. inside the Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Hosted by Cherayla with special guest hosts Monique Shurray, JR Hoodstar and Crystal Franklin, the evening will feature performances by Eleven 2wenty2, Tobbi & Tommi, Rodreako, D Locc Da Chop, finalists in the Best Female Hip Hop category, the KCK Diamond Dolls and Brandoshis.
