Listen Up!

Our host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by the Executive Director of the Louisville Downtown Partnership, Rebecca Fleischaker⁠. The pair talk about the current state of downtown Louisville, how changes impact the city as a whole, the role of business in politics, and what they can do to make a difference. Fleischaker is a Louisville native who served 2 decades in city government before joining LDP. Her background includes Public Relations and Economic Development.

Our host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Da'Marrion Fleming Executive Director of Sowing Seeds With Faith a youth enrichment and afterschool tutoring program. The pair talk about the current state of youth in the community, education, the rise in youth violence, and what we can do to make a difference. Da'Marrion is a Louisville native, veteran, and former JCPS teacher who took his passion for youth advocacy and created a nonprofit organization in support of the Louisville community.

Our host LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor is joined by Ameera Palacios & Jonathan Albers employees of HDR Inc. the design firm leading the Louisville Metro Reimagine 9th Street project. The project involves the transformation of three significant corridors: Ninth Street (from Jefferson to Broadway), Muhammad Ali Boulevard, and Chestnut Street. The goal is to make Ninth Street a pedestrian-friendly destination (similar to NuLu) and convert Ali and Chestnut Streets from a one-way to a two-way traffic pattern. Add your voice to the plan by attending the next community meeting June 6, 2024 at Louisville Central Community Center from 5-7:00 PM. Johnathan Albers is the deputy project manager for the Reimagine Ninth Street project. Jonathan has 15 years of experience in the design of transportation projects. His experience includes roadway design, traffic engineering, geometrics, striping and signage, maintenance of traffic, sidewalks and trails. Ameerah Palacios is the senior strategic communications lead for HDR, she leads public engagement for infrastructure projects such as the Reimagine Ninth Street corridor and high-profile water projects nationally such as the water system recovery happening in Jackson, Mississippi and assists utilities across the nation with US EPA regulatory initiatives such as the Lead and Copper Rule and PFAS. With over a decade of experience in the public sector, Ameerah focuses on elevating brands through communications, change management, advocacy and research.

Our host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined again by the President of ⁠The Boys & Girls Club of Kentuckiana Daryle Unseld, Jr. The pair talk about the upcoming Great Futures Sneaker Ball, which is a fundraising event for the Club, its special guest Emmitt Smith, the effects of anti-DEI legislation, and future expansion plans to add more Boys & Girls Club locations. Listen to Unseld's previous appearance on our show, Season 1, Episode 14 "No Stranger to the Work".

We are back after a short break with our host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor who is joined by Stephen Reily. Reily is the man behind one of the Louisville Urban League's most popular programs, The Reily Reentry Project, which provides free expungement services to those who qualify. He is an attorney, entrepreneur, and civic leader in Louisville, KY as well as an art collector and former Director of the Speed Art Museum. Our duo talk about the formation of the Reily Rentry Project and Clean Slate policy, philanthropy, and the role of art and artists to moving a city forward.

Our host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Shameka Parrish-Wright, Executive Director of VOCAL-KY whose mission includes ending the AIDS epidemic, the war on drugs, mass incarceration, and homelessness across the country. She also serves as ⁠Louisville Metro Councilperson for District 3⁠ a position held since November 2023. The duo discuss the recent anti-DEI legislation taking place in Kentucky, the courage (or lack thereof) of current city/state leaders, and how to build a legacy so future generations are not fighting the same battles. For more information on the response regarding anti-DEI bills and to sign the pledge visit https://apathforward4lou.org/1341-2/

Our host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is once again joined by LUL Policy Director Felicia Nu'Man to talk about the 2024 KY Legislative session. The General Assembly has hundreds of bills being proposed and voted on daily, and our duo highlights a few of those that will greatly affect the communities we serve; from anti-DEI to housing and education there is a lot to cover. We strongly encourage those who listen to read more about these bills which can be found on our Legislative Agenda tracker and to exercise your right to testify or contact your legislative representative.

Our host Lyndon Pryor, LUL President & CEO, is joined by Shemika Whiteside of Zora's Cradle, whose mission is to address the gaps in maternity health services facing Black women and women of lower socio-economic demographics. Zora's Cradle provides therapy services, access to financial and health supports, parenting classes and support groups, and operates the local milk bank. Their Perinatal Resource Center offers free supplies of milk, formula, diapers, wipes, breast pumps, clothing, and more to families in need, regardless of their income. Whiteside holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville Kent School. She is also a perinatal psychotherapist who works with mothers and/or families who are struggling with perinatal mental illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Host Lyndon Pryor, LUL President & CEO, is joined by Ebony O'rea an educator, community organizer, social worker, and lover of people. The duo talk about non-traditional mental health services, community advocacy, and teaching conflict resolution skills to young adults in the community. O'rea is a graduate of the UofL Kent School of Social Work and has been an active organizer in the community for over a decade working with the NC3 (Network Center for Community Change), Community Foundation of Louisville, and Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.

In the first episode of season 2 our host LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor reflects on the history of the movement, the country, and the late Benjamin K Richmond. Pryor stresses the importance of understanding where we come from, but also to recognize that titans of the movement upon whose shoulders we stand are real, whole people.

This episode of Listen Up! features an excerpt of an interview from CEO Live Talks with Swannie Jett which featured LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor. The duo talk about Pryor's upbringing, education, and what led him to the Urban League. Watch the complete two-part interview on the PDCHC YouTube account part one and part two. Special thank you to Dr Swannie Jett and Juan Lambert of Park Duvalle Community Health Centers.

Our host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Dr. John Marshall, ⁠Chief Equity Officer for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS)⁠. Our duo raps about the current state of public education, charter schools, parents' responsibility in school, and how JCPS is so close and so far from getting it right. Dr Marshall was born and raised in Louisville and completed his undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate studies at Western Kentucky University. The self-proclaimed "Grinch who stole celebration", focuses on those students who traditionally fall through the cracks and creating a truly equitable system.

Our host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Dr. Deonte Hollowell, Program Director of African-American Studies at Spalding University. Our duo rap about the role of higher education in the revolution and how it is important to take the knowledge out of the classroom and back to the community. Hollowell is a native of Hopkinsville, Ky, and a graduate of the University of Louisville (Pan-African Studies) and Temple University (African-American Studies). Hollowell’s special area of study is the relationship between African Americans and police. Hollowell is also on the Board of Directors for 2Not1, an organization that supports fathers and families, as well as The West Louisville Math and Science Project.

Our host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Von Barnes, the founder of Kentuckiana Backyard Farms⁠ a micro-urban demonstration farm in the Louisville metro area. The duo discuss how to overcome the stigma of farming in Black communities, chicken math, and the politics of urban farming. Barnes is also a Lead Fellow in the League's Project Kilimo Urban Farming Initiative supporting Black urban farmers in Louisville’s West End community. You can watch his TEDx Talk on Backyard Farming. Barnes also hosts Nerd Nite a monthly event held at Gravely Brewing where three presenters give 15-20 minute presentations on a subject they are passionate about.

Our host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Lance Newman II aka Mr SpreadLove. Newman is a poet, visual artist, actor, educator, and playwright. He experienced bullying in his pre-teen years but used his words through poetry to fight back. The duo discuss how the arts are needed to help Louisville push forward to attract new residents and to keep natives. And how the lack of artistic outlets has played a role in the city's stifled growth. Check out Newman's solo art exhibition at the Louisville Visual Art Gallery December 1, 2023 through February 3, 2024. Attend the KMAC Poetry Slam last Saturday of every month.

Our host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Ramona Dallum, Community Foundation of Louisville Vice President of Community Engagement. Dallum is a curious citizen, an artist, and a philanthropist. She grew up in Louisville, graduating from the Dupont Manual High School before striking out to Florida A&M University. The duo discusses what pushes Louisville's native son's and daughter's away to seek refuge in other cities (Atlanta, Chicago, D.C.), how to grow while maintaining authenticity, and the work of modern philanthropy.

Our host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Ben Johnson Jr, Assistant Director of Recreation for Louisville Parks and Recreation. Johnson shares the vital role parks and recreation play in the community, his love of cooking, and how his time at Florida A&M University helped shape him into the man he is today. Johnson is committed to serving youth in the community, having previously served as the Assistant Director of Youth Development for Metro Government. He was recently named a BMe Genius Fellow for his service as a mentor to young Black men and innovative programming for Louisville youth. Johnson also serves as President of the Education First Foundation which hosts the Showcase of HBCU, the second largest college fair in Kentucky and the only one dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Our host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Louisville's own Poet Laureate, Hannah Drake⁠. Hannah is an author, spoken word artist, and activist who gained national attention in 2019 when her poem "All You Had to Do Was Play the Game, Boy" was shared by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in his public protest of police brutality against Black men and women. The duo discuss the work of fighting racism, voter apathy, and the long-term commitment that must be made for justice. Hannah also leads The (Un)Known Project whose goal is to exhume the names and stories of the enslaved that America had buried and hidden.

Our host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Amber Duke⁠, Executive Director of ACLU of Kentucky. The pair discuss strong leadership, mis- and disinformation, smart justice, and the struggle for civil rights in Kentucky. Amber Duke has spent her entire professional career finding ways to get into “good trouble,” by shining a light on systemic inequalities that disproportionality impact Black and other marginalized people. She has been with the ACLU of Kentucky for nearly 10 years and is the first Black woman to lead the ACLU of Kentucky in its 67-year history.

This episode features a guest special to the Louisville Urban League. Over four years ago, Courtney Robinson came to the LUL seeking record expungement services. An old criminal infraction limited his employment choices resulting in a string of dead-end jobs. Robinson met with a Workforce Development Specialist who encouraged him to enter the Kentuckiana Builds program. He reluctantly agreed and his life was changed over the six-week course. Robinson joined Messer Construction in 2019 as a Carpenter Apprentice and is now the Urban Workforce Development Initiative (UWDI) Specialist. He works as a liaison between Messer Construction Company and the Louisville Urban League to support and strengthen the recruitment and career growth of minorities and women in the field. Robinson will officially complete his apprenticeship program in December of 2023 to become a Journeyman Carpenter.