Leadership Kentucky, Inc.

📣 📣 📣 DEADLINE EXTENDED! Now that you've come out of your turkey induced haze, it's time to get your name, or nominee, in for the 2025 ELEVATE Kentucky program. Don't miss out on this chance to ELEVATE your career, community, and Commonwealth! ELEVATE Kentucky is designed for young professionals approximately 25 - 35 years old, but there is not a strict age limit. We look for individuals who are advancing in their careers and those involved in their communities who are eager to become stronger leaders. Sessions will provide skills and tools to advance your career, your organization, and your community. Apply today at https://lnkd.in/e2yXf4y

During this season of Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to express our sincere thanks and appreciation. At LKY, we are grateful to you, our alumni, sponsors, and friends, for your support and commitment to improving our state. #happythanksgiving

Regina Jackson, LKY Class of 2003 and past LKY board chair, expresses her #gratitude for the Leadership Kentucky program. As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, let us all remember to be grateful for the relationships and connections that we have built with each other.

📣 DEADLINE APPROACHING! If you, or someone you know, would be a great fit for the #ELEVATE Kentucky program, the deadline is on December 1st. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! ELEVATE Kentucky offers young professionals in-depth personal and professional development while fostering a better understanding of the challenges facing our Commonwealth. Program graduates return to their home communities and organizations better prepared to be catalysts for progress! Apply online TODAY! https://lnkd.in/e2yXf4y

The intersection of the arts, healing communities, and economic development has been a common theme throughout Leadership Kentucky 2024. The Class of 2024 finished its time in Lexington with a visit to The MET, DV8 Kitchen, and the Artist's Village. Rob Perez, co-founder of DV8 Kitchen, shared a captivating message with the class over a delicious breakfast. He began by asking our group about the three most significant drivers for addiction - adverse childhood, the zip code you're born in, and heredity. While no one was surprised at those precursors, the follow-up question - which of those did you choose as a child? - was truly eye-opening. The mission of the DV8 Kitchen is giving second chance employment opportunities to people in early stages of recovery, while learning valuable life skills and furthering their education to reach their full potential. Although it was near impossible to tear the class away from Perez and DV8, the next stop of the day was equally inspiring. The class was joined by members of the Community Ventures team to talk about the incredible building in which we spent our morning. Phil Holoubek, MBA, president of LRC Lexington's Real Estate Company, shared how The MET, Community Ventures' mixed use commercial and residential development project, came into existence. The MET, its name taken from its location at Midland and East Third, serves as a geographic and cultural bridge between downtown Lexington and the historic East End neighborhood. From the art in the studio and gallery spaces to the roof lines that mimic those on the area's numerous shotgun houses, The MET is a highlight of and homage to its community. Mark Johnson, president of Art Inc. Kentucky, a non-profit artist's incubator administered by Community Ventures Corporation, showcased and led the class on a tour of the resources available to artists at The MET. The Artists' Studios on the second floor provide bright and collaborative spaces where artists can come to create. ArtHouse Kentucky is a gallery dedicated to providing Kentucky artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs with the tools and resources necessary to gain exposure and sell their work to a worldwide clientele. And lastly, the Artists' Village provides live/work space for artists and creative entrepreneurs that wish to own their home and studio space and live in the heart of Lexington's historic and culturally rich East End. Frank X Walker calls the Artists' Village home and has lent his immeasurable talent to The MET in his "Ode to the East End". In his love letter to the neighborhood, Walker says, "You are our mid land. You are the body, but not the waste between the feet of downtown and the big round head of New Circle Road...You are downtown Lex's whole left ventricle. When the last shotgun house is gone, you will still be her heart." It was truly an inspiration to spend time in this intersection of art, healing, passion, and love.

The Class of 2024 says thank you, once again, to the University of Kentucky Athletics Department for hosting and giving us an inside view of the incredible renovation of Memorial Coliseum. It is an AWESOME facility!

It could not truly be a session focused on Kentucky's history and traditions without a visit to Frankfort. The Class of 2024 spent the day hearing from current and former leaders across all three of Kentucky's branches of government. Rob Duncan, Kentucky Deputy Attorney General and LKY alum, provided an informative update on the 2025 pursuits of the AG's office. One forthcoming initiative is the transition of Kentucky's Child Support Services function from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the AG's office. While the transition does not take effect until July 2025, a collaborative effort is already underway to ensure the seamless delivery of services to children across the Commonwealth. The Class also heard from a bi-partisan legislative panel that engaged in positive discussion centered on working collaboratively to do the people's work, legislation that the House and Senate will be working on in the 2025 session, and how to disagree in an agreeable way. We were joined by Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams, Senate Minority Leader Gerald Neal, House Minority Leader Derrick Graham, and Representative Matthew Koch. Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller graciously spent some time with Class of 2024. She stressed the importance of the geographic makeup of the Commonwealth's highest court. Each of Kentucky's seven justices is elected to represent their home district and ensures that the voices of Kentuckians from across the state are well and evenly represented. The Class of 2024 closed out its time in Frankfort with a visit from Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, a proud LKY alum. She shared an exciting update from #TeamKentucky and news about the state's robust economic development successes. Lt. Gov. Coleman is also working closely with Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell on a new initiative that would include agriculture education at the elementary school level. A collaborative project that touches on both their passions.

Jesse Stuart once said, "I take with me Kentucky embedded in my brain and heart, in my flesh and bone and blood, since I am Kentucky and Kentucky is part of me." The Class of 2024 recently finished its session in Lexington and Frankfort. They spent time soaking in those things that are quintessentially Kentucky - our history, traditions, beauty, culture, compassion, and UK Basketball - that inevitably become a part of each of us. This session started with an incredible visit to Keeneland Association where we received an update on the construction project that began earlier this year. The project includes a new Paddock Building that will expand viewing and dining experiences available to the public. It will also reposition the saddling stalls to provide the safest environment possible for equine and human participants. Class participants also enjoyed an inside look at the November sales and dreamed little dreams of owning a future Breeder's Cup or Derby winner. The class then visited Jonabell Farm, the center of Godolphin's thoroughbred operation in North America and home to Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and Cody's Wish, American Horse of the Year for 2023. Hallie Hardy, Horse Country Executive Director, showcased the beauty, impact, and logistics of one of the most prolific racing stables in the world. The Class of 2024 closed out the day with a visit to another of Kentucky's winning traditions, University of Kentucky Basketball. UKAD Mitch Barnhart shared his thoughts on leadership and success. While #BBN may love to question Mr. Barnhart's decision making over the years, his commitment to the University and care for ALL student athletes is indisputable. He is a leader that we can all aspire to emulate. Class participants also enjoyed seeing the completed Memorial Coliseum renovation. The Memorial Coliseum renovation project is the biggest investment in women’s sports facilities in school history. Memorial Coliseum pays tribute to and honors the servicemen and women who died in World War II and also honors those who have fallen in the Korean War, Vietnam War and subsequent military service.

Each year, we have the pleasure of welcoming Veterans into the Leadership Kentucky family. Their commitment to the service of others is evident no matter how many years it has been since active duty. In honor of all the men and women who have served and who continue to serve, we thank you and your families. For your courage, service, and leadership in support and defense of our nation, you have our lasting gratitude. #VeteransDay

Congratulations BRIGHT 2024 graduates! We are so happy to welcome you into the Leadership Kentucky family. Yesterday, we reflected on the last five months and all the ways you have grown in your friendships, knowledge, confidence and courage. We know you will return to your communities and do great things! Thank you to MSU for hosting us and Dr. Jay Morgan for your encouraging words on how to START the next step with this new knowledge and network. Finally, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the BRIGHT program sponsors, session sponsors and all the many businesses and people across the state that make this program possible! We could not do this without you!