“I always stood in the gaps for our folks living at the intersection of being black and queer. Oftentimes that means standing up within your community.”

2024 BIOGRAPHY

Star Palmer is the founder and executive director of Our Spot KC, a nonprofit founded in 2016 that provides housing, rental assistance and other support services to the LGBTQ+ community in the Kansas City area to create community, share experiences and find solace and support. A Kansas City, Missouri native, Star experienced homelessness at a young age after coming out as lesbian and had first-hand experience having fewer services and housing opportunities as an LGBTQ+ individual. She created Our Spot KC as a response to the lack of dedicated and safe services and to begin to create a community that supports those who need it the most.

Our Spot KC serves the LGBTQ+ community through its flagship program, Lion House, providing transitional housing and rapid rehousing for LGBTQ+ youth, adults and families facing homelessness in the KC metro. In addition to Lion House, Our Spot KC publishes a quarterly magazine, provides training and technical assistance to businesses, nonprofits and municipalities to enhance their LGBTQ services, and a mobile LGBTQ+ small business incubator. One of fewer than five programs like it in the country, Our Spot KC has provided over 5,686 meals and 2,304 hours of life skills workshops to Kansas City LGBTQ+ individuals.

Star is also the president of the Kansas City Pride Community Alliance, the organization that runs KC PrideFest and Parade. She has been active in the community for more than a decade, creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. She is a member of Alpha Psi Kappa Fraternity, Incorporated.