Joe was born and raised in Oklahoma City, OK, among eleven children. He attended Wichita State from 1978-81 playing football & baseball. He was a 3 time All-American and the Sporting News Player of The Year in 1981. Joe married his college sweetheart Diana in 1981, who is a native of Kansas City. They have three children, Kia, Ebony, and Jordan. Joe was selected as the second pick in the 1981 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. His notable career over 16 years with MLB includes winning back-to-back World Series Championships in 92, 93 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He hit one of the most iconic game-winning homeruns in World Series history to win the 1993 Championship. Only the second player in history to end a World Series with a homerun.

Diana was born and raised in Kansas City, KS among two siblings. She has a dedication and passion for both Design and Service. She designed the home they currently live in, which won Kansas City Home & Garden, “Home of The Year” in 1995. She has been featured in the National Home & Garden magazine and Romantic Homes magazine for her design. In 2010, Diana developed the KCH&G’s Boulevard of Dream Green Living Show Home which proceeds benefited The Fox 4 Love Fund, which helps local children in need. She also developed a functional, elegant six-plex luxury apartment in the Westport and Plaza area in 2020. Diana proudly served 12 years and over 1200+ hours serving the community with the Jackson County Links Inc, a service organization founded on sisterhood and community service. She is a long-term member of design teams for fundraisers such as Medical Missions and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In 2021 she donated and furnished an entire home for a Kansas City couple who lost everything in a fire. Diana routinely donates many household and personal goods to Amethyst Place, a safe home for mothers and children. She also helps with putting together auction items for House of Hope, Awesome Ambition, Medical Missions, and Alvin Ailey. She gave a grant to Harvesters during the pandemic for food to help feed the community. She participates in various activities for Community LINC, with educational workshops, gift giveaways, household goods, and auction items for fundraisers to help end homelessness.

Honoree and Co-chairs for the Rent Party: Front Row – Joe and Diana Carter, Ratana and Oscar Tshibanda

Back Row – Bill and Ronda White, Karen and Doug Downing