Louisville Change Lab

05/15/2023

05/07/2023

Previous research has shown that children with mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders and their families face personal, financial, and neighborhood challenges more often than families of children without these disorders. These challenges may make it harder for some parents to give their child the resources they need to thrive. The type of community that families live in, urban versus rural, may increase these challenges. Learn more about how we work together to help our children thrive here>> https://bit.ly/3LqLDS0

05/05/2023

Kentucky Derby 149 is on the horizon, which for some means fancy parties, fashionable attire, and a chance to win big at the track. But for others, opportunities to enjoy this season aren't always attainable. Now in its second year, the event is held at the Norton Sports and Learning Center in the Russell neighborhood. It includes food, entertainment, and showcases a range of local Black businesses with partners like the MELANnaire Marketplace, Louisville's only traveling retail hub.

“It makes sense for Black entrepreneurs to capitalize off that economic engine that comes into our city, where it brings in $457 million around the time of Derby,” said Nachand Trabue, founder of MELANnaire Marketplace.

The Kentucky Derby Festival Equity and Community Initiative is keeping that momentum going for the third year in a row. Starting in 2021, it seeks to make Derby events accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone in Louisville. Another notable event is the JCPS Justice Fest, where students present ideas and solutions for community-wide issues.

The three sponsors for DECI say it's about achieving community equity. Churchill Downs is leading the charge, Humana is focused on the health aspect, and a new addition this year, is Park Community Credit Union. They will offer resources and classes on financial literacy to those who are underserved.
https://bit.ly/422vrx8

05/03/2023

is filled with National Holidays that focus on self care because it's . Today is and
Studies reveal lack of access as the root cause for the mental health crisis in America, especially in under-served communities. Despite the strong demand and growing societal awareness of the importance of mental health in the U.S., the study revealed that the overwhelming majority of Americans (74%) do not believe such services are accessible for everyone, and about half (47%) believe options are limited.

These beliefs are driven by several perceived barriers in Americans’ ability to seek mental health treatment, including:

1. High Cost & Insufficient Insurance Coverage
2. Limited Options & Long Waits
3. Lack of Awareness
4. Social Stigma

Which issue do you think is most prevalent? Read more here>>> https://bit.ly/3oX1bW7

05/03/2023

https://bit.ly/3NJ6VgL

Held each year on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks is an exciting, full day of racing at Churchill Downs. Many people aren't aware of the magnitude of Kentucky Oaks day and the fun to be had while attending!

05/01/2023

It's week! Here's some history you may not know. After the Civil War, most horse trainers, grooms, and jockeys were Black men. In fact, of the 28 winning jockeys of the first Kentucky Derby, 15 of them were African American. However, according to the Los Angeles Times, this didn't last long because once the Jim Crow era began in the early 1900's, African Americans were banned from the sport.

In fact, after the year 1922, no Black jockeys appeared in the race for nearly 80 years until the year 2000 when Marlon St. Julien rode in the Derby. The most recent African American jockey to ride in the Derby was Kevin Krigger, who finished near the bottom of the pack in 2013.

But this doesn't erase the history of the Kentucky Derby or the fact that there were definitely Black jockeys who helped created and popularize it.

For example, Oliver Lewis, a Kentucky native who was born into slavery in 1856, rode across the finish line to first place in the inaugural Kentucky Derby in the year 1875.

James "Soup" Perkins is another one. He too was born and raised in Kentucky, and in 1895, at the age of 15, he became one of the youngest jockeys ever to win the Kentucky Derby.

Finally, there was Isaac Burns Murphy, who competed in the Derby 11 times and won in 1884, 1890 and 1891. He was known as one of the best jockeys to ever race.

The history of the Kentucky Derby is undeniable!

https://bit.ly/3Vm6Q4n

After the Civil War, most horse trainers, grooms, and jockeys were Black men. In fact, of the 28 winning jockeys of the first Kentucky Derby, 15 of them were African American.

04/23/2023

We're here for it A Hand Up Community Resource Center Inc

04/23/2023

More than a decade before she became the first Black female student in the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Delores Gordon Alleyne set her sights on becoming a doctor. Born in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1932, Alleyne and her family moved to Louisville in 1941. She graduated from Central High School in 1949 and enrolled in the Louisville Municipal College for Negroes. She transferred to UofL in 1951 where she completed her bachelor’s degree with a biology major.

In 1953, Alleyne became the first African American female admitted to the School of Medicine.

Recently, Alleyne’s daughter, Valerie Alleyne Udeozor, a professor of nursing at Santa Monica College in California, produced a documentary about her mother’s life journey, “How I Got Over.” In the film, Alleyne recounts her time at UofL and her experiences with segregation. Alleyne hopes the film will inspire young African Americans to enter careers in medicine.

https://bit.ly/3LotOEo

More than a decade before she became the first Black female student in the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Delores Gordon Alleyne set her sights on becoming a doctor. "I decided after completing a 6th grade career project in which students research their desired life occupation," Alleyn...

04/20/2023

This is a great article about our very own Carolyn Tandy from the Courier Journal
'The power of collecting people': How this Humana exec elevates others for the greater good.
Her passion to help others has taken her from working in Washington, D.C., politics, to helping a major restaurant chain meet a federal government consent decree, to changing the employee culture at Humana, one of Louisville’s largest employers.

For the last 22 years, Tandy, the senior vice president and chief inclusion and diversity officer at Humana, has used her skillset and love for uplifting others to help Louisville politicians and businesses be more intentional about the actions they take. But more than that, Tandy has been a collector of people, bringing them into her life and using her platform to give them a seat at the table, even if they can't physically be at the table.
https://bit.ly/3ZURrIV

From politics to one of Louisville's largest employers, Carolyn Tandy works to put people first and elevate all voices.

04/17/2023

Humana Supplier Diversity Mentoring Program
Take your certified diverse business to the next level at no cost. Register today for the Humana Supplier Diversity Mentor-Protégé Program. More information here>>> https://huma.na/3MG5FdL

Take your certified diverse business to the next level at no cost with a Humana mentorship. Register today for the Humana Supplier Diversity Mentor-Protégé Program.

04/14/2023

New business opportunities are coming to ! Gov. Beshear Signs Bills Legalizing Medical Ma*****na And Sports Betting - LEO Weekly
With legislative sponsors and advocates gathered around him in the Capitol Rotunda, Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 and House Bill 551. Both bills received their final floor votes Thursday night, the last time lawmakers met before adjourning until next January.

Beshear told reporters after signing the bills that the bipartisanship behind the legislation was clear and showed that his administration can work with the General Assembly.

“Today’s pretty amazing. We passed two pieces of legislation that took both Democrats and Republicans — would not have passed without them — people coming together to do what’s right for the people of Kentucky,” the governor said.
https://bit.ly/3MS7Vib

Earlier today, Gov. Andy Beshear signed bills legalizing medical ma*****na and sports betting in Kentucky.

04/11/2023

Tomorrow! Basketball and Brotherhood: Breaking Barriers
Kentucky to the World returns to The Kentucky Center on Wednesday, April 12, bringing together University of Louisville basketball legends who changed history both on and off the basketball court as part of the Republic Bank Foundation Speaker Series.

This conversation will explore the barrier-breaking era of desegregation with former UofL athletes who paved the way for future athletes of color. The program will touch on how their struggles and triumphs went on to shape their lives. As part of the evening, guests will hear from former players Wade Houston and Eddie Whitehead, who broke the basketball color barrier at U of L in 1962.

UofL Director of Development for Diversity and Engagement Valerie Combs, the first Black woman to sign a letter of intent to attend UofL on a basketball scholarship, and Judge Derwin Webb, a captain of the UofL basketball team who went on to become Kentucky’s first African-American Family Court Judge, will round out the program.

Clips from the upcoming documentary Basketball and Brotherhood: Breaking Barriers, produced by Jessica Loving, Luke Whitehead, and well-known Louisville filmmaker Fred Reynolds, will be interwoven throughout the special evening.
https://bit.ly/3ZYUBvg