Q&A with Bob Ross, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications of Greater Topeka Partnership
Tell us about the Greater Topeka Partnership and the work you do.
The Greater Topeka Partnership was formed in 2017 to bring together complementary organizations — Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Topeka, GO Topeka and Downtown Topeka. They had a shared belief that more common goals could be met through unified efforts and combining resources. We realized we needed to work together to advocate for the city in one voice.
I was born and raised in Topeka. I spent most of my early career working for Payless ShoeSource’s headquarters in Topeka before moving to Houston for an opportunity at Academy Sports and Outdoors. I moved back home in 2019. My job as senior vice president of marketing and communications is to be a pied piper for the community! I get to share all the amazing things we’re attempting to do here in the capital city with the community, the state and the country.
Topeka will host its first-ever statewide Pride celebration and parade this September. Tell us more about this historic celebration.
Visit Topeka and Downtown Topeka are proud to be sponsors of the Pride Kansas event, which will be the first in the state. I love that we are highlighting and raising awareness for our LGBTQ+ community. People may have a misconception of what it’s like living in Kansas, or more specifically Topeka. This event is an excellent opportunity to share that this city has had a history of being a progressive and inclusive place from our founding. People may be biased about the midwest, but there’s a bias toward kindness in Topeka! In fact, the Human Rights Campaign gave Topeka a 93 out of 100 for LGBTQ+ equality. This community is proud to be an open and welcoming place. We want LGBTQ+ people to know they are welcomed with open arms in Topeka.
The Pride event is uniquely midwestern pride. The week-long celebration will include events at local venues like North Topeka Arts and Entertainment (NOTO) District Studio 62, an eclectic art bar that hosts weekly drag shows and Equality House, one of Topeka's best-known monuments of Pride, where visitors can sign the outside and take pictures in front of the home’s rainbow backdrop. The celebration ends with a Pride Parade, kicked off by speeches from officials at the Statehouse — then a Promenade to Evergy Plaza for live music, food trucks, a beer garden and more. Finally, that evening will conclude with drag performances at the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
In addition to supporting its LGBTQ+ community, Topeka celebrates its growing immigrant population, diversity, and rich civil rights and African American history. Tell us more about Topeka being an inclusive, accepting city.
Topeka is a city that was founded by abolitionists, formerly enslaved people and Mexican immigrants who came to work on the railroad. In addition to its historical significance in the fight for equality in this country, Topeka has preserved its African American heritage by continuing to tell its community story of adversity and resilience. The city’s strong Hispanic heritage is prevalent throughout Topeka, from art murals to the midwest’s best Mexican food! Topeka honors and celebrates our diverse community with cultural festivals, like Fiesta Mexicana, an annual celebration happening in Topeka for 85-plus years, and India Fest. The community recently welcomed Ukrainian refugee families to our city. This city has always attracted and welcomed new people. There’s an open-door policy here.
How did working with Violet PR help highlight all that the capital has to offer?
I’m a big fan of the team at Violet PR! Working with a boutique firm gives a more personal engagement. Violet PR’s location also allows us to tap into a broader media network that we wouldn’t be able to do locally. Working with a firm in Montclair, N.J. — one of the most vibrant media hubs outside of NYC — gives us access to incredible storytellers and reporters. Violet PR offers press engagement at a level that’s uncommon. It is a partnership, but we wouldn't be able to achieve the reach we have to promote Topeka without being able to lean into the network that Violet PR offers.
You’re hosting a friend in Topeka for the weekend. What are some can't miss spots you take them to?
It’s a tricky question because there is so much to do here! I first find out what their passions and interests are. Do they love food, art, music, the outdoors, history? Are they looking for family fun or nightlife? At the top of the list is showing visitors the stunning Kansas Statehouse and the hospitality of our downtown. I love to take people to The NOTO Arts & Entertainment District to enjoy its beautiful murals, public art exhibitions, and hands-down the best gourmet grilled cheese in the country! A visit to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site to understand and appreciate the role the landmark 1954 decision played in the broader U.S. Civil Rights Movement is highly recommended. And we may be a city, but you can’t beat the outdoors in Kansas! Our city boasts over 70 miles of trails, lakes, and numerous parks and green spaces to enjoy the beauty of Topeka.
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