Changing lives from the holler to the stage

Tyler Childers and Senora May support eastern Kentucky

If you are at all interested in country, traditional, or bluegrass music, there is a good chance you have heard Tyler Childers sometime over the last few years. An eastern Kentucky native, he’s been making a name for himself on the music scene, earning praise, accolades and awards.

Despite his success, Childers has never lost sight of his Kentucky roots. In fact, he has focused his attention on ensuring the people of Appalachia are represented and supported.

Childers and his wife, accomplished musician Senora May, are building a fund to support civil rights, addiction recovery and higher education in eastern Kentucky.

In 2020, spurred by the racial and political unrest in the U.S., Childers and May established the Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund, a nonprofit administered by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee that supports three core areas. They focus on civil rights efforts through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Louisville, addiction recovery through the Hope in the Hills nonprofit, and higher education scholarship support through the Hickman Holler Appalachian College Fund.

The latter supports scholarship awards at four universities in Kentucky and Ohio – including MSU.

“We are honored to work with Senora and Tyler to fulfill their dream of helping students,” said Rondal Richardson, a representative for the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “Senora and Tyler have the biggest hearts and working with the incredible team at Morehead State to bring their wishes to life has been such a wonderful experience.”

Since 2021, MSU students have benefited from their generosity. Recipients are residents of a county within MSU’s service region or the tri-state area and incoming freshmen with a GPA of 3.0 or above. Preference is given to African American students.

“MSU is located in the heart of Appalachia,” said Allison Caudill (Class of 2005, 2009), executive director of alumni relations and development. “Many students make their way to MSU from diverse backgrounds. Tyler and Senora are providing support to students from their home region who are perhaps underrepresented.”

Scholarship recipients are selected annually, and students can apply online through the MSU Foundation’s scholarship application at www.moreheadstate.edu/scholarships .