17 minute read
Community Leaders
With the summer sun and a feeling that we With the summer sun and a feeling that we are all turning a corner after more than a year are all turning a corner after more than a year of signifi cant challenges, it is high time to of signifi cant challenges, it is high time to resurrect some civic pride! We reached out to resurrect some civic pride! We reached out to business and community leaders for reminders business and community leaders for reminders and updates on what makes Louisville great. and updates on what makes Louisville great. See you out and about! See you out and about!
BY DAWN ANDERSON BY DAWN ANDERSON PHOTOS BY DICK ARNSPIG PHOTOS BY DICK ARNSPIGER DANNY PENDLETON AND MONICA BECHT
Greater Louisville Inc.
The Metro Chamber of Commerce
Greater Louisville Inc., the Metro Chamber extra time off to bonuses of Commerce, is perhaps the foremost au- and even free admission thority on what makes Louisville great. “Our to community events.” mission is to accelerate economic growth, She also shares how the and one of the ways we do that is by attract- challenges from the paning and retaining talent. Our goal is to make demic disproportionately Louisville a great place to live, work and play. impacted small local and We want people to love living in Louisville by minority–owned businessexperiencing all the great things our region es. “Unlike some larger has to offer,” says GLI President & CEO Sarah corporations,” Sarah says, Davasher–Wisdom. “Our Live in Lou initiative is just one example.” GLI showcases “community events, neighborhoods, and leaders Our mission is to accelerate economic growth, and one of the ways we do that is that make our community special” through the by attracting and retaining talent. Our goal website (liveinlou.com) and social media plat- is to make Louisville a great place to live, forms. “We also developed our City Champs work and play. We want people to love living program (liveinlou.com/ city–champs) to comple- in Louisville by experiencing all the great ment this work. We train ambassadors, or ‘City things our region has to offer... Champs,’ who talk to in- – GLI President & CEO dividuals considering a Sarah Davasher–Wisdom move to Louisville and help sell the city from a resident’s perspective. These ambassadors are people that love “Many local and minoriGreater Louisville and come from a variety ty–owned businesses are of backgrounds.” the product of personal
Sarah shares her personal and profession- investment and life saval opinion on what the city offers and how ings with a minimal safeto leverage our strengths for further growth ty net to support them and improvement. “Louisville is a unique through this once–in–a–place. We have a great blend of rich history lifetime pandemic.” For their part, “GLI is and a culture that embraces change and in- focused on getting traffi c and people back to novation. I enjoy our arts community, and I our urban areas like Downtown, Nulu, Rusfeel it sets us apart from other cities and re- sell, and Smoketown, which the pandemic gions of our size. There is always something has disproportionately impacted. Our Lou new to see and do in the city, no matter what Needs You Campaign (greaterlouisville.com/ neighborhood you live or work in.” louneedsyou) is a partnership with Louisville Tourism, Louisville Forward, and the Louis-
As people get out more this spring and ville Downtown Partnership to help highlight summer, local businesses are gearing up to local businesses in these neighborhoods to meet demand. “Many businesses are work- increase foot traffi c helping these businessing to encourage their employees and pa- es rebound. By highlighting these businesstrons to get vaccinated. They know that is es on social media and creating marketing the only way to return to full capacity and for materials to share, we hope the community restrictions to be lifted. Many are offering feels compelled to patronize their favorite incentives to motivate people in the commu- restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and attracnity to get vaccinated and hopefully expedite tions as we enter our new normal.” the process. We have seen everything from
– Lynda Fernandez, CAE, RCE, CIPS, and CEO of the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors® (GLAR)
Greater Louisville association of realtors®
After a nationwide search, Lynda Fernandez, CAE, RCE, CIPS, was recently named CEO of the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors® (GLAR). “Having just moved here from Miami, Florida, I am impressed with how progressive, diverse, and inclusive Louisville is – not to mention the quality of life, affordability, arts, culture, and culinary scene. I also enjoy the thousands of acres of parklands and appreciate the warm, welcoming people.”
Lynda is the former Chief of Communications & Global for the Miami Association of Realtors®, which has 52,000 members. She has over twenty years of experience in association and government management, communications, and international business development. “GLAR has a long history of strong leadership, growth, and success. I am very excited and honored to join the impressive team at GLAR as CEO and look forward to building on the association’s strong foundation through collaboration and innovation.”
According to Lynda, “Real estate is the backbone of the economy. We marshal our resources, information, and public relations to promote Louisville as a top destination that is welcoming for residents and the business community.” Recovering from the effects of the pandemic on the local real estate market, GLAR is continuing to operate safely and follow recommended public health guidelines. The organization is also concerned with the current lack of inventory. “I expect inventory to open up later in the year with more housing starts and increasing comfortability with showings.”
GLAR launched a Community Outreach Committee to address underserved communities, including an initiative for revitalizing the West End and expanding DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programming. “Most recently, we expressed support for the West End Opportunity Partnership as laid out in Senate bills 100 and 125, which would help to elevate the West End through economic development and affordable housing. GLAR also supported legislation that allows the Louisville Metro Land Bank more fl exibility in transferring properties in the land back to get them into the housing market, creating more housing opportunities. In 2020, GLAR participated in the Kentucky Realtors Community, Economic Development Grant Program and presented $10,000 to the Louisville Urban League for the new sports complex in the West End.”
For more information on the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors®, visit louisvillerealtors.com. Follow GLAR @GreaterLouisvilleRealtors on Facebook and Instagram and @GLARtweets on Twitter.
Noir Black Chamber of Commerce Inc.
According to John Shaw–Woo, Founder and CEO of Noir Black Chamber of Commerce Inc., innovation and the entrepreneurial community make Louisville exciting. “It’s all about transforming conceptual ideas into well–thought–out business plans, coupled with supportive business and fi nancial connections. Louisville is a synergistic city for budding entrepreneurs focused on creating Traditional and Lifestyle Business Concepts in today’s leisurely and rapidly changing technological times. If you have an unwavering drive to be an entrepreneur, Louisville is the perfect city for you to start, grow, and sustain a business.”
Noir Black Chamber of Commerce Inc., launched in Louisville in 2019, is a member of U.S. Black Chambers Inc. and a certifi ed Community Development Entity (CDE) under the U.S. Treasury Department. The chamber has grown into a national 501(c)3 organization focused on innovative online programming leading to economic and social mobility for all Black Americans.” The chamber’s mission is centered on eight pillars – four around Business and four around Community:
Business
1. START – support for entrepreneurs 2. GROW – small business growth 3. SUSTAIN – continued success for
“medium” business 4. RISE – promotion of corporate professionals
Community
5. Black Community Trauma – education to identify, work through, and move past black community trauma 6. Black Teen Higher Professional
Careers Attainment – a national online educational program with nine professional career cohorts 7. Apprenticeship and Job Training for
Black Non–College–Bound Teens 8. Welfare Reform – bringing lawmakers and entitlement recipients together to fi nd solutions to wean recipients off the system that perpetuates generational poverty
– John Shaw-Woo, Founder and CEO, Noir Black Chamber of Commerce Inc.
In addition, the chamber’s Homebuyer Education Program moves Section 8 Families and low–to–moderate families into homeownership. The National HBCU (Historically Black College Institutes) & PBI (Predominantly Black Institutions) Black Talent Recruitment Job Placement Program connects corporations with top black talent. “Louisville has a fundamental tension issue that has gone unaddressed for over a decade. College graduates and black talent are leaving the city,” says John. “I have concluded it is a city government issue that must be addressed immediately. The question is what is missing from the city that drives talent away and how city government can fi nd immediate solutions. Each day, the city is falling behind midsize metropolitan cities. Louisville is a great city, but it can be better with a long–term strategic plan focused on supporting, attracting, and retaining talent.”
According to John, “Black Americans are at a point where they realize they need to support black businesses. The online platform Buy Black Lou provides opportunities. Still, small black businesses also need support from the entire community to grow.” John suggests seeking “more variety in the types of businesses you support.” Noir Black Chamber of Commerce Inc. seeks diversity in support of the chamber by offering a Friends of Chamber Membership for non–black businesses. For more information, visit noirbcc.org and follow @noirblackchamberofcommerceinc on Facebook.
Olmsted Parks Conservancy
Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape design, was invited to Louisville in 1891 and commissioned to design a park system for Louisville. He was already famous for New York City’s Central Park, the US Capitol Grounds, and the Biltmore Estate Grounds in Asheville, North Carolina. “Olmsted’s designs for Cherokee, Iroquois, and Shawnee Parks took advantage of the topographical elements unique to each sector of the city.” They also provided a system of interconnecting parkways to link them and the neighborhoods that grew up around them. Olmsted Parks Conservancy was formed in 1989 to provide a high level of care, restoration, and maintenance for the 17 Olmsted parks and six parkways and supplement the work of Louisville Parks and Recreation. President & CEO Layla George believes “arts and parks make us stand out compared to our peer cities. Our Olmsted parks and parkways have shaped the city. These parks are the center of neighborOur Olmsted parks and parkways have shaped hoods and community gatherings,” including parties, the city. These parks are the center of weddings, and other family celebrations. She loves the neighborhoods and community gatherings. liveability and size of Louisville and the “uniqueness and – Layla George, President & CEO, character of neighborhoods,” Olmsted Parks Conservancy such as Old Louisville, Cherokee Park, and the cast–iron facades of West Main Street. According to Layla, Louisville’s Olmsted parks have seen a massive increase in usage over the past year. “They have provided the locale for people to gather in a safe space with social distancing to meet up with family and friends, or just take a break from the stress of life. This is a unique period in time when Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision has held true for physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing in free public spaces anyone can enjoy regardless of socioeconomic background.” Layla looks forward to resuming planned in–person events this fall, and updates will continue into 2022 as they fi nalize plans with community and national partners for the Olmsted 200 (olmsted200.org) Bicentennial Celebration. To support Olmsted Parks Conservancy, visit olmstedparks.org. Follow @olmstedparks on Facebook and @olmstedparks502 on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Baptist Health ® Louisville
As President of Baptist Health® Louisville, Larry Gray is proud of the city’s rich healthcare environment. “The Health Department’s handling of the pandemic and strides toward health equity shows the vitality of our health resources, not to mention the collaboration of the three major health systems and the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council.” On a personal note, Larry has lots of reasons to love Louisville. “My wife and I are empty–nesters who enjoy entertaining and love to cook, but we also appreciate the culinary talents of all the great restaurants here, along with the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, farmers markets, and seafood.” They are fond of the arts and parks as well. “We are members of Speed Art Museum and are always seeking opportunities for engagement in the city.” Baptist Health® Louisville The Health Department’s handling serves the city in its capacity for caring for the health of its citi- of the pandemic and strides toward zens and gives back in many other ways as well. “We encourage our employees to get involved through volunteerism, such as health equity shows the vitality of our health resources, not to mention the mayor’s Give a Day Week of the collaboration of the three major Service. This year our group of eighty helped clean up Brown health systems and the Louisville Park.” They “try to be good corporate stewards” through part- Healthcare CEO Council. nerships with organizations such as the American Heart – Larry Gray, President, Baptist Health® Association, Twisted Pink, and American Cancer Society. Baptist Health® Louisville also provides athletic trainers for local sports teams.
Larry encourages more Louisvillians to get vaccinated against COVID–19. The Baptist Health® Louisville vaccine clinic is open includes conference rooms and a simulation from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Satur- lab for experiential learning. Major conday. First dose vaccinations are now avail- struction projects are currently underway able without an appointment for those 12 with a new OR and Cardiac Care space, an years old and above. (“All patients 12 to 15 Orthopedic Center of Excellence, and a 30–years old must be accompanied by a parent bed observation next to the emergency room or legal guardian.”) “We also want to remind that will be completed by September 2021. and educate everyone to get back to their “We have also completed a remodel and exroutines with annual checkups and preven- pansion of our neonatal intensive care unit tive healthcare measures.” Larry looks for- this year,” says Larry. ward to Baptist Health® resuming in–person community education. Visit baptisthealth.com/louisville and follow @BaptistHealthLouisville on Facebook
Baptist Health® Louisville’s new educa- and @BHLouisville on Twitter for more tion center opened on June 1st. The facility information.
Jefferson Development Group
Incorporating the city’s rich history into a vision for forward motion and progress is Kevin Cogan’s passion for Louisville. As CEO/Owner of Jefferson Development Group, Kevin Cogan honors “the sense of tradition deeply rooted in the generations of families and local companies continuously operating, that we represent thinking big, have not only survived but grown, matured, and developed greatness thinking to the future, and from within.” The nostalgia of Louisville architecture inspires Kevin as thinking next level. We are well. “We have tremendous historic district preservation – from Central constantly pushing the envelope Park and St. James Court to the Highlands, Cherokee, and Audubon Park in zoning and density. to Southside Drive and the facades on Main Street.” Kevin also appreciates “the kindness, spirit, and heart of the people and the service industry’s special care” of this city. “Sometimes what’s wrong becomes the reputation or the image. We do need to address it, talk about it, and make good better. But there is more love than hate here.”
– Kevin Cogan, CEO & Owner, Jefferson Development Group
Jefferson Development Group strives to promote civic pride and attract clients to Louisville. “From a corporate stance, we represent thinking big, thinking to the future, and thinking next level. We are constantly pushing the envelope in zoning and density. Without young workers coming in, corporations will not follow to Louisville. The youthful base is looking for excitement – for example, semi–pro and professional sports teams. Nashville, Atlanta, Austin, and Charlotte are moving forward with development and infrastructure. What can we do to attract young people here instead? You can’t tell a Fortune 500 company, ‘We’ll fi x it after you get here.’”
The question Kevin gets asked most often is, “What’s going on with One Park?” One Park is a $250 million proposed mixed–use development with apartments, retail, hotel, and offi ces. Its prominent location at Grinstead Drive and Lexington Road is “next to a major urban park at the gateway to Louisville’s downtown.” According to Kevin, “This has been done in other cities multiple times. But Louisville has not done it yet.” What does Louisville want as the “front door” coming into the city?, he wonders. “To be greater than great, you’ve got to fi x what’s broken. “I believe we must look hard in the mirror. We need a true, independent, and honest assessment as to why we trail our neighbors in Nashville.” For more information on One Park and other Jefferson Development Group properties, visit jeffersondevelopmentgroup.com.
Belle Noble Entertainment Group, LLC
Kevin Grangier’s Belle Noble Entertainment Group owns and operates The Village Anchor & The Sea Hag Pub, Le Moo Steak House, and Grassa Gramma Italian Restaurant in Louisville. Kevin is a Louisville–area native who relocated to Los Angeles to start an award–winning brand development and marketing communication fi rm; he returned to Louisville in 2010 and opened The Village Anchor.
Having lived and worked all over the US, Kevin appreciates the unique attitudes of Louisvillians. “The people here are unique to those from other places I have lived, such as New York, LA, DC, and Chicago. Louisvillians seem predisposed to inclusion, accepting of fresh ideas and creative ventures. They also respect and enjoy opportunities to grow themselves. As an entrepreneur, business owner, and member of the community, I appreciate this kinder, always We add color and vibrance to Louisville. accepting environment.” I’m proud to create destinations Belle Noble Entertainment Group gives back to the com- indicative of the fabric of our great munity in many ways, not the least of which is directly city and that represent the many through the restaurants. “We add color and vibrance to different audiences that visit them. Louisville. I’m proud to cre- – Kevin Grangier, Owner, Belle ate destinations indicative Noble Entertainment Group of the fabric of our great city and that represent the many different audiences that visit them.”
Kevin is focusing on back–to–normal business with safe, comfortable environments. “My number one goal as we navigate this latest transition is to ensure that every single employee and customer is at ease when they enter Grassa, Moo, and Anchor.” He agrees that it is essential to continue to support local businesses now. “These are our friends and “Belle Noble has had the luxury of growing new fi nancial business models under exfamily. Everyone needs everyone’s support, in Louisville over the past ten years. Projects treme circumstances. Now is our chance to Including national businesses and chains. that were forced to the backburner last year leverage those lessons.” While they aren’t necessarily local, they do have moved to the front and are again start- Visit bellenoble.com. Follow @Kevinemploy local people.” ing to boil. We have the opportunity to get GrangierUS on Facebook and @LeMooLou,
As for the future of Belle Noble and Lou- back on track with lessons learned, to forge @GrassaGramma, and @VillageAnchor on isville’s culinary and hospitality industry, ahead better and stronger. We have learned Facebook and Instagram. to operate tighter and more effi ciently with
