Inspire Black Louisville - February 2022 by TOPS Magazine

CONTENTS:

6 Representing Change: Elle Smith 14 KiMani Bridges: The Storyteller 16 Freweini Mebrahtu: An Ambassador for Change

16 22 1922

2022

18 Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild: History in Every Sip

20 Dr. Rinto Adeniran, DMD: Embrace Dental Care

22 24 26 28 32 34

Fashion: Boss Moves Health Equity School Spotlight: Campbellsville University Moving Black America Forward Banking Done Differently Digital Playbook: Targeted Display Ads

y r o t s i H k c a l B e r i p s n We I Every Day! Simmons College of Kentucky was founded in 1879 to be a place of refuge and education for Black people emerging from enslavement. Of the four million Blacks freed by the end of the Civil War, only 5% were literate. By 1915, this literacy rate grew to 75% because of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) like Simmons College of Kentucky! Today Simmons College maintains its place as Louisville’s HBCU, continuing to equip and inspire students to achieve success!

te a v e l E , e t a c u d E We Empower. and For more information, call (502) 776-1443 ext. 5200, or visit: SIMMONSCOLLEGEKY.EDU

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CONTRIBUTORS:

INSPIRE ADISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Shauntionne Mosley Writer

John Shaw-Woo Writer

Dr. Erin Gilliam Writer

William Dickson II Photographer

Jackie Bailey-Jones

Chelsea Ellis-Hogan

Deja Downey

Kimberly Cecil-Jones

Rob Beatty

John Shaw-Woo

REPRESENTING CHANGE:

Elle Smith 2021 MISS USA

BY HEATHER FRENCH HENRY PHOTOS BY ANDREW KUNG, FELIPE ESPINAL AND COURTESY PHOTOS

Diversity and inclusivity are two of the top trending buzz words in our 2022 vernacular. But for Elle Smith, Miss USA 2021, these words have a deeper meaning. “Growing up biracial is an interesting concept in today’s world because you don’t fit in people’s ideas and you don’t fit into a box,” says Elle. “Growing up, I heard you’re too white, you’re too black. And I think many multiracial, biracial, and mixed children have similar stories.” In sharing her story, Elle felt like she had the best of both worlds been raised with two culturally diverse sides of her family. She took lessons from those who raised her. “I think I represent so much to so many different people because of that.”

ow in her role as Miss USA, Elle has an amazing opportunity to spread those lessons with everyone, not only here in Louisville but now with people from all over the nation, especially children. When asked what message she would give to a young person facing racism and inequality, her message is heartfelt. “I would say people project their own insecurities onto you. Words can hurt. The old saying, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’ is not true. Words do hurt, but there’s only one you and God made you. Be confident in who you are as a person. You have all the strength and capabilities that you will need.” Throughout her life her mother was very cognizant of what she was going through in her struggles to claim her identity in a world that differed from her reflection. They had intellectual conversations about what she was facing, where she was and who she was interacting with from day to day. “I attended a predominantly white institution for high school and university. And so I went through somewhat of an identity crisis of what and who I was as a person. But now, I’m like, ‘OK,’ if I don’t fit into your box, that’s unfortunate but I know who I am,” Elle remarks.

“BE CONFIDENT IN WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON. YOU HAVE ALL THE STRENGTH AND CAPABILITIES THAT YOU WILL NEED.”

Even in the world of pageantry, leaders are focusing on having those conversations and creating change. In recent years, the Miss USA Organization has unveiled a new motto, #pageantryreimagined led by the new National Director and former Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart. Stewart has been adamant that she wants to bring in more diverse people regardless of ethnicity, race, body types and sexuality. She wants to make the Miss USA organization more diverse as a whole. “I think we saw that in our class,” Elle states. “Because not only were we ethnically diverse, but we had the first transgender woman compete.” So why aren’t more people of color or those with more diversity competing in pageants and competitions? The truth is very evident. “I don’t think they know about pageantry and the benefits offered. When I first was introduced to pageantry it just didn’t look like the most diverse group of people. It looked like a bunch of Caucasian women participating, and so I didn’t feel as if I was represented.”

“WE HAVE SO MUCH GROWTH NEEDED IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT WHEN YOU TALK, YOU’RE ONLY SAYING WHAT YOU KNOW. BUT WHEN YOU’RE LISTENING, YOU’RE TAKING IN NEW PERSPECTIVES, YOU’RE TAKING IN NEW KNOWLEDGE.”

Now that she has the eyes and ears of a nation, Elle has the prime spotlight to be a champion for changing the status quo. “I’m hoping that they see me and they think, ‘OK, if she can do it, I can do it.’” Before obtaining the title of Miss KY USA and Miss USA, Elle was a reporter for WHAS TV. In that role, she was given a close up view of the racal tensions here and abroad. As a journalist one of her take aways from her experience is to encourage people to listen more to each other. “We have so much growth needed in the community, but when you talk, you’re only saying what you know. But when you’re listening, you’re taking in new perspectives, you’re taking in new knowledge. And I would implore everyone to listen to their neighbor, listen to West Louisville. We’re all Louisville collectively, and we just need to come together.” Aside from creating social change, Elle also has a passion to promote the awareness of cervical cancer among women, an issue close to her heart as she lost her grandmother in 2015 to the disease. And while she plans to address this among all women, the statical

disparities in this disease associated with ethnicity is eye opening. According to medical sources, nearly 2,000 African American women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually. More than 40% of those diagnosed will die from the disease, even though, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Women can be screened for it with routine Pap tests.* According to Medical News Today, while the mortality rates of cervical cancer have been in decline nationally, Black women are still 80% more likely to die from cervical cancer than white women.** “The large majority of cervical cancer cases are preventable if you’re getting your pap smears. Take care of your health. Take the initiative to go get those tests,” states Elle. Her message is clear and her purpose is evident. And while Elle plans to make an impact around our nation, Kentucky that will always have her heart. “I’m proud to represent Kentucky on the national stage. I am Kentucky proud through and through.” •

* Jackson Health System (2018, Jan 15) “African American Women and Cervical Cancer” https://jacksonhealth.org/blog/2018-01-15-african-american-cervical-cancer/ ** Zambon, Veronica (2021, March 30) “What to know about cervical cancer in African American women” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/african-american-women-cervical-cancer

Tim, Lead Engineer

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KiMani Bridges: THE STORYTELLER BY SHAUNTIONNE MOSLEY PHOTO BY DICK ARNSPIGER

Storytelling is a huge part of the world’s history. Without hearing the true accounts of life, whether it be from song or verbal story, the diverse narratives inspired by the living and dying things around us would be lost. KiMani Bridges, an upcoming composer and flutist, picked up a sort of family heirloom when gravitating towards the flute as a young child. Hearing the skillfully played, whistle-like notes coming from the flutes of her mother and grandmother is what first sparked her curiosity in the instrument. Years later, Bridges has made the talent her own by winning the 2020 G. Schirmer Prize for Luna Composition Lab for her piece, The Flower. This scenic composition for flute, violin, viola, and percussion creates a still life picture in the listeners mind of the birth and death of a flower. For this Louisville, Kentucky native, it’s not enough to just stop and smell the roses. Through her work, Bridges aims to make you feel the moment and embeds the story in your memory through song. As you can imagine, this talented creative is busy balancing school and creative opportunities. Her studies at Louisville’s award winning YPAS (Youth Performing Arts School) at DuPont Manual High School has quickly turned into her doing “basically two degrees” at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where she is a sophomore. In this unique interview for inSpire Magazine, Bridges is interviewed by close friend and fellow student artist, Maurine Mosby. An English Creative Writing and Screenwriting student at the University of Cincinnati, the two’s friendship spans just a little over a decade and it’s evident in their video call. The giggles, playful jabs, and deep understanding between artists who are

INSPIRATIONS SPONSORED BY LG&E

friends gives us an intimate side of KiMani Bridges the masses have yet to see. Maurine: When describing your piece, “The Flower”, you’ve said you were inspired by nature and how a flower grows. From the time a seed is planted, all the way to bloom and death. Do you think that people can see sound? If yes, then what do you do to help listeners see?

KiMani: Well, all of my pieces are kind of like movies. I would say I watch a lot of movies. More than the average person should I guess. So all my stuff has that… story arc. And so, for The Flower, imagine a still film where it’s like the time lapse of a flower growing and that flower dying. I don’t think people can see sound, but I think people can feel sound. Like, feel emotions through sound. You’re putting your own story to the piece.

Maurine: When I listen to your stuff I can get a clear picture in my head but I can’t necessarily see it, but I can in my mind. I get what you’re saying. Since you’re obviously a composer yourself and pursuing it as a career, do you have a favorite composer? KiMani: I have favorite people. Not exactly, composers? Because I listen to a lot of music and some of the classical music I listen to…I don’t know who wrote it, but I have it saved (both laugh). I need to get better at that. I’m learning. I have favorite people that I take inspiration from. Like Ellen Reid, Valerie Coleman, Misty Masoli, those are people I’ve talked to the most in this career and they are some of the most inspirational people I know. They’ve helped me with composition and how to handle the spotlight in the sense of being around people way older than me. Maurine: That’s a great segue to my next question for you. Who inspires you the most? Like, who inspires you the most to continue doing the work that you’re doing? KiMani: Um so, all the people around me, including my professors at IU, and my flute professor. They all encourage me and help build my confidence in this field. They’re like…grounding points I would say. Because you know me. I panic about things I really don’t need to panic about. Maurine: (laughs) Yeah. KiMani: When I do that, these are the people that say, “KiMani, do you know how to live?! Breath! Calm down!” (laughs). They help me not overthink things and guide me on the different things to apply for, how to network and navigate through a field that is predominantly dominated by white men. All my mentors, the top ones that I discussed, are women composers and one of them is a Black person. We’ve talked about how to get more artists of color involved in composition and be more presented. It looks better now than in the past, but there’s still concern (about diverse representation in the field of music composition). Maurine: Ok so, we’re both Black and we’re both pursuing careers I guess,

you don’t see a lot of Black people in. And I didn’t know this until earlier, but Florence Price was one of the first Black women to be recognized as a composer in the early 1930s. I guess, what we all wanted to know is, what does it mean to you to be a successful composer as a Black person? More specifically, a Black woman?

the flute stuck. I didn’t grow up in a classical music house. We did mostly R&B. I was very into Pop and Disney majority of the time.

KiMani: I would say that I am very lucky in the sense that when I first started composing I already had a support system and a lot of people don’t have that. I’m very proud to be Black. I wouldn’t see myself any other way, and I’m proud to be a woman. But I have been made aware of everything against me. We’re in this age where I think there’s other people that want to help bring us up. I think I’m at a good spot as in, if I were born twenty years ago…I wouldn’t be able to do this. I think I’ve chosen the best career in terms of my own aspirations and how I want to be as a composer and as a performer. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Did I answer your question?

Maurine: I’m just saying, I know what your playlist looks like and what kind of music you listen to (laughs).

Maurine: That’s a fantastic answer. You’re very good at this! I don't know why you think you’re not good at answering questions. KiMani: (nervously laughs) I get nervous. Maurine: Hey! Nervousness can push you to do good things. Great things in fact. KiMani: It’s also really cold in my house too so that’s not helping. Maurine: Just warm yourself up over there I guess! Ok, so…how has being brought up in Louisville shaped you as a classical artist? KiMani: Ok first of all, great thanks to my mother and grandmother who have shown me art since I was very young. Taking me to see plays like the Nutcracker at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. My first introduction into art was dance and I still really love to dance. I did a little bit of acting, and I’m now doing singing. I did a little bit before. I was a nervous, shy person, a couple years ago and it wouldn’t have worked out, but now it works. So, having my mother and my grandmother and encouraging me to be involved with music. My mother played the flute. I tried other instruments, but

Maurine: I’ve seen your playlist…I know. KiMani: You know what Maurine… (laughs).

KiMani: My love for classical music started when I went to YPAS. Everything kind of took off there because it’s an art school. So you’re around it all the time. My peers inspired me to work harder, to keep practicing the flute, to start writing compositions, and so I have to give it to my high school and my parents. Maurine: What most of all do you want people to take away from your composition pieces? KiMani: Each piece is its own album. I associate a lot of color with my music. All of them tell a story. They’re all my story. Even the little tiny pieces that are 1-3 minutes. They all are personal to me. I have my own storyline. I encourage my listeners to create their own storyline. Just listen to the sounds they hear. Especially, with this upcoming piece like, you’ve heard the midi. It’s completely crazy. Maurine: (nods with a smile) Yeah. KiMani: So, I highly suggest you pick one instrument and listen to that one instrument and instrument section. It might require multiple listens, but it’s gonna have to be that way. I put my heart and soul into each piece I do. Especially if it’s a flute piece. The solo in my piece alone next month took 2 and a half weeks to write and I’m excited for everyone to hear it. Maurine: Well I’m excited. I’ve personally loved everything you’ve sent me. Even with as much as you tell me you need to get it done and you’re sick of looking at it (laughs). And I’m happy to be one of the few people who gets to hear your work first so I can brag about that when you do become a famous composer. I can be like, “I listened to it first!” •

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Freweini Mebrahtu:

AN AMBASSADOR FOR CHANGE PHOTO BY DICK ARNSPIGER

CNN’s 2019 Hero of the Year Freweini Mebrahtu has made Louisville her home and is bringing her passion to SOS International as its Humanitarian Ambassador. She was born in the Tigray region of Ethiopia the seventh of eight children and the youngest girl. “My father was hard-working and made sure all his children were educated, “says Mebrahtu. “We always had food on the table, and we’re taught the value of hard work.” Mebrahtu attended the local Catholic mission school. According to Mebrahtu, her father “always tried to do the right thing,” and they were close. She helped him, before and after school, as he worked his way up in hospitality to hotel owner. She describes her mother as a homemaker and a “tough cookie.” As Mebrahtu grew up, she was deeply affected by a shared feminine experience that would ultimately shape her career choices and life’s work. “I got my period! And I was terrified and embarrassed,” she says. “Getting your period was such a delicate matter, nobody talked about it. Since menstruation is considered a curse, girls were frequently teased and humiliated. And as there was no reliable way to manage your period, there were many chances for humiliation. That is why so many girls drop out of school when they start menstruating.” Mebrahtu left her hometown upon graduating high school, following her older sister who was already studying in the United States. “When I arrived, one of our first stops was a drugstore. She took me to the sanitary pads aisle,

and I was so shocked! I had come from a place where menstruation was a taboo subject and we had to make do with rags and whatever else we could find. But here was a whole aisle of products, all laid out in the open. It was a transformative moment for me.” As an entrepreneur, Mebrahtu’s father set the example of becoming her own boss. “He encouraged me to study pharmacy to open my own someday. I looked into pre-med or pharmacy school, but I couldn’t afford to go full-time.” So, she studied chemical engineering under a scholarship at historically Black Prairie View A&M University in Texas. As a chemical engineer and inventor, Mebrahtu designed and patented a reusable sanitary pad in 2005 and founded Mariam Seba Products Factory (mariamseba.com). The company produces over a million pads a year and employs dozens of people, 90% of whom are women. She also helped establish Dignity Period® (dignityperiod.org) to fight period poverty in Ethiopia and the United States. Eliminating the stigma of menstruation is a matter of life and death in some parts of the world. Mebrahtu tells the story of a girl in Tigray, Ethiopia, who stained her clothes at school. Boys were laughing at her on her way home. Her father beat and almost killed her. In South America, families put girls in isolation during their period. Forced to cook for herself, a girl died of smoke inhalation. Mebrahtu was recognized for her work in 2019 when she beat out 4,000

other nominees to be voted CNN Hero of the Year. “But it wasn’t just me who was being honored,” she says. “It was every woman, and way overdue. This issue needed to be addressed. Think about it! Viagra is not taxed, but, in most states, pads are!” The civil war in Ethiopia, which began in November 2020, has disrupted Mebrahtu’s work. Her company is on hold for security reasons, and her family returned safely to the US in February 2021. “I am lucky. But millions are not,” Mebrahtu says. “Tigray is under siege. Nothing is getting in, no food or medicine, and communication has been cut off. We get word now and then that people are starving and dying from lack of medicine. It is devastating. Everyone in the Tigrayan-American community here in Louisville is devastated.” In the midst of this grief, Mebrahtu has found a home with the nonprofit SOS International as its Humanitarian Ambassador. She will be involved with hands-on preparation of outgoing medical supply shipments, special projects, community speaking engagements, and more. “I had been feeling so helpless, but being part of SOS has given me reason to hope,” Mebrahtu says. “There is so much destruction and despair in the world, and SOS is doing practical and impactful work. I am proud to be part of this effort.” Visit soshealthandhope.org and follow @SOSinternationalinc on Facebook and @sos_international_inc on Instagram. Mebrahtu also encourages donations to tdana.org.

Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild: HISTORY IN EVERY SIP

BY DR. ERIN GILLIAM, ON BEHALF OF KENTUCKY BLACK BOURBON GUILD | COURTESY PHOTOS

Learning about Black History is important, necessary, and relevant. African American history is intricately and beautifully interwoven into every fabric and facet of the United States of America. African Americans have endured the atrocities of slavery, second-class citizenship, and systemic racism. Yet, African Americans have endured. It is important to understand that the African American narrative is not one of only struggle but one of perseverance and richness. African American minds and hands have influenced everything in this country as well as in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Science, Math, Agriculture, Entertainment, Education and anything else that comes to mind. We are the inventors and influencers and even if poorly documented or reduced to a line in history: the ingenuity of Blacks in bourbon are undeniable. A patient research quest that probably consists of archives and oral histories will lead you to the discovery of African American contributions to the Bourbon Industry. Africans Americans were and continue to be invested in the Billion-dollar Bourbon industry. It is imperative to understand that our contemporary investment and historical presence is not only in sweat equity. But we are the historical

descendants of Nathan “Nearest” Green who taught Jack Daniels the beautiful craft of distilling Bourbon. We are the up and coming Black -owned Bourbon companies of Fresh Bourbon of Lexington and Brough Brothers of Louisville. Being Black and a Kentuckian comes with its celebration of historical and contemporary contributions to the Bourbon Industry. Organizations like the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild were founded on the principle of celebrating and educating those about the African American contribution to the Bourbon Industry while embracing its future development through inclusivity, education, and community building. The KBBG was established by a local Lexingtonian Entrepreneur, Mr. Robert Beatty. His fire was lit during the summer of 2018 after taking several tours of distilleries throughout the Commonwealth. He felt a historical obligation to educate and embrace the African American and multicultural influence to the industry pre-prohibition. Since its inception and even during a pandemic, the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild has offered more than 75 educational and enrichment workshops for the community and its members. The KBBG has established partnerships with Kentucky State

University, Castle and Key’s Untold Story, created the Freddie Johnson Bourbon Scholarship, and a host of many other achievements. While there are many components of the organization’s mission and values, they understand the responsibility of ensuring that Black voices are included in the narrative and there has to be a continuous untapping of the research. Bourbon is an avenue or a conduit in which we can use to have hard conversations about race in America. And, it is not a secret that hard conversations are made better with good food and good spirits. Historical research plays in intricate part in having conversations about race and reconciliation. Will we ever know the history to be Black and bourbon in its entirety? Perhaps not, but we have to continue to tell our stories. And the like the production of Bourbon, history is a timeless process that is about patience and one that does not happen overnight. INSPIRATIONS SPONSORED BY LG&E

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Dr. Rinto Adeniran, DMD EMBRACE DENTAL CARE PHOTOS BY DICK ARNSPIGER & COURTESY

As if his ambition and perseverance weren’t inspiration enough, Dr. Rinto Adeniran’s story is extraordinary for all the people and circumstances that came together to help him realize his goals. Rinto Adeniran was born in Nigeria, West Africa, to a preacher and a schoolteacher. His father wanted to study abroad and made connections through church missionaries. In 1985, “all the stars aligned,” and he made it to the US. “People back in Nigeria raised money for my father’s journey,” says Dr. Adeniran. “My father left his wife and four kids in the church compound. His church in the United States asked where his family was, but he could not work due to his immigration status. Eventually, the church arranged for his family to come to the US. Immigration would only allow the youngest two children and my Mom to come.” So Rinto and his brother stayed behind, living in separate church members’ homes until their visas were granted two years later. For six years, Rinto and his brother did not see their father. With the family whole again and settled in Louisville, Rinto attended Seneca High School. As graduation approached, his parents suggested he pursue a lucrative field where he could find work right away, so Rinto chose a career in Nursing. He completed undergrad studies at Southwest Baptist University and Missouri State University. “I started on floor units and gained experience in every department except emergency nursing.” He landed in the ICU. “Nursing takes a special person. I enjoyed the work but didn’t want to stay in the hospital with all

the superbugs and stress. And I just couldn’t see myself nursing forever.” At first, Rinto tried to imagine himself as a cardiologist or hospitalist. “What else can I do?” he wondered, that he could enjoy, still have a personal life, and be able to give back. He thought about optometry, took the GRE, then finally settled on dentistry. “I could dress up, work with my hands, and help people. Dentistry matched what I wanted to do.” However, there was a bit of a wrinkle to Rinto’s new career choice. He had never once been to the dentist himself! So Rinto began shadowing dentists. He had continued his education while working as a nurse, so he was well-prepared with multiple degrees, including Biology and Chemistry. He even managed to stay on the Dean’s List. Rinto moved back to Louisville to attend dental school before joining a practice in Gallatin, Tennessee. He maintained a long-distance relationship with his serious girlfriend, a medical student. They got engaged, and Dr. Adeniran took a position in Louisville for three years before starting his own company. “I was surprised about how much goes into dentistry, how much we don’t know as laypeople, and how much providers have to know.” Dr. Adeniran’s primary practice is Embrace Dental Care, with offices in Louisville

and Florence, Kentucky. He spends three days per week in Florence and two days in Louisville. Dr. Adeniran is also in the process of revamping his emergency dental care practice, Louisville Dental E.R. Dr. Adeniran’s work philosophy is to “tailor each visit to the patient with a focus on lifetime dental care.” He strives whenever possible to address issues in one visit. “I don’t do patchwork, no ‘problems for life’ with multiple fillings and crowns.” With two practices, a wife, and two children, Dr. Adeniran starts his days early and tries to shut work down to spend quality time with them. As full as life is with work and family, he still makes time to give back. His parents, both now PhDs, and his father’s sacrifices to give the family a better life still inspire Dr. Adeniran. Starting in 2016 and before COVID, he provided the community with a “free dental day” at the end of each summer. Dr. Adeniran and his staff would distribute flyers to shelters, and through that and word-of-mouth, he would dedicate time for free extractions. In turn, Dr. Adeniran encourages young people to pursue their interests and be driven. “Contact someone who cares in your church. Even with no support at home, you can find someone like me to shadow.” As for looking to his own journey for inspiration, “It hasn’t been easy, but it is doable. I still remember taking the Greyhound bus to school in Missouri, but I enjoyed every step. If you want to do it, you will find a way.” For more information, visit embracedentalcare.com.

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HEALTH EQUITY

American Heart Month is the perfect time to take back control of our mental and physical wellness. In the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Heart Association® (AHA) encourages us to Live Fierce™ and Stand for All. “Swap challenge for opportunity and claim what is possible, starting now.” To ensure equal footing for taking back our power, the AHA is committed to advancing health equity by “removing barriers to health through work in communities, scientific research, advocating for healthy policies, and more.” 24

AHA created the Office of Health Equity in 2018, “leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion to drive the AHA’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.” The Office of Health Equity houses the Social Impact Fund, the Bernard J. Tyson Fund, the Diversity and Inclusion, Health Equity Strategies, and Partnerships teams, and supports their Empowered to Serve™ initiatives. The AHA is taking bold actions with “10 Commitments” to “advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality” by 2024.

“At the American Heart Association®, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life,” says Kentucky Executive Director Ashley Sokoler. “As champions of health equity, we’re committed to advancing cardiovascular health for all. We will not stand by while people get sick, die young, and struggle. And we won’t tolerate structural racism or the many social factors that hurt people’s health in rural and urban areas alike.” The career choices and perspectives of another local champion of health equity, Baptist Health® Louisville’s Dr. Karan Shah, were shaped by his personal experiences. Dr. Shah is a first-generation American who lived in Bombay, India, until age 13. His family moved from a city of 21 million people to a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 2000. His parents worked in fast-food restaurants and then found hotel front desk positions that consumed all their waking hours. The closest hospital was thirty minutes away from their home. Dr. Shah describes health equity as every person having access to good healthcare. He points out the disparities between East and West Louisville in life expectancy and access to clean, healthy foods. “The American Heart Association® partners with local hospitals to build a roadmap and provide a conceptual framework to dismantle health inequities.” As Vice President of Physician Integration, System Physician Advisor, and Medical Director of the Observation Unit and Utilization Management for Baptist Health® Louisville, Dr. Shah is deeply engaged in Baptist Health’s work toward health equity and highlights some priorities: • Community Investment - partnering with people in the community on issues of mental health, maternal health outcomes, opiate abuse, heart disease, and availability of health screenings

• Workforce Diversity Initiative fellowships with Kentucky Refugee Ministries • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency Training • “Harvesting our own data and drawing conclusions for health equity.” According to Dr. Shah, the main challenges to achieving progress on health equity are the COVID pandemic and public policy. All the lives lost and increased difficulty accessing care have caused disproportionate harm to the mental and physical health of those who already face health disparities. A recent study by the American Hospital Association™ found that primarily due to COVID-19, the average life expectancy has been reduced by 1.36 years for white residents, 2.8 years for Black residents, and 3.25 years for Hispanic residents. The pandemic and policy are major AHA concerns as well. “Locally, we’re partnering with others in the community to address several healthrelated issues that disproportionately affect people of color, from hypertension to the lack of access to healthy foods,” says Sokoler. “In addition to providing resources to those in need and educating the public, we’re working behind the scenes on a local and state level to advocate for institutional change.” For Dr. Shah, the most urgent

local issue of health inequity is cardiovascular disease in the Black population. Estimates are that one in two Black Louisvillians has some level of cardiovascular disease. They have the highest death rates and are at greater risk for heart disease and stroke. Dr. Shah uses a combination of statistics and true stories to connect. “Baptist Health® is partnering with local community churches and clinics to provide cardiovascular screenings that detect issues before chronic disease sets in.” Dr. Shah is encouraged by the overall decline of heart disease and stroke in recent decades. “It has plateaued a bit, but we have made progress. Measuring progress demonstrates the importance of analytics and having more data.” Preventive care for everyone should be a priority for us all, morally and economically. “Health inequities cost more in the long run.” Visit baptisthealth.com. Follow @BaptistHealthSystem on Facebook, @baptisthealth.system on Instagram, and @BaptistHealth on Twitter. To learn more about how the American Heart Association addresses health equity in Kentuckiana and beyond and how you can get involved, visit empoweredtoserve.org.

DR. KARAN SHAH

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Renee Sartin Renee Sartin, Ed.D. is an Associate Professor and site director of the Social Work program in her 9th year at Campbellsville University in Louisville, Kentucky. She previously taught at, HBCU Kentucky State University after she retired from the Department for Community Based Services as a Service Region Administrator (SRA). Dr. Sartin has a bachelor’s degree in social work from K-State, a master’s from the University of Louisville, and a doctorate degree in Education from Grand Canyon University. Dr. Sartin loves teaching the nontraditional student. She understands the challenges they encounter, and the dreams they possess. She enjoys teaching, advising, and registering her 40 plus students, and insuring they meet their educational goals. Dr. Sartin connects with her social work students as she celebrates their diversity, and mentors them tas they

strive to achieve their educational goals. A published author, Dr. Sartin’s research interests include trauma and grief due to gun violence. She founded the organization: A CALL TO ACTION: GRIEF TO GROWTH with a mission to educate black families on grief and trauma due to gun violence and unjust incarceration by sharing personal stories, history, and talking to families about how to make that difference in black families in the city of Louisville and state of Kentucky. Her favorite book is How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi, and her favorite quote is from Maya Angelou who said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Dr. Michelle Tucker, Interim Dean of the Carver School of Social Work said, “Dr. Renee Sartin is a remarkable SPONSORED CONTENT

faculty member and the Carver School of Social Work is lucky to have her. She is committed to our program and her students and her passion shines through in all she does in service to her school and community.” Dr. Anne Adcock, BSW Program Director at Campbellsville University told us the Dr. Sartin “fills many roles when working with students - supporter, encourager, educator, advocate and mentor are just a few of that come to mind. Dr. Sartin is passionate about the field of social work and about educating future Social Work practitioners. Dr. Sartin also contributes to the work of the program and the university as a whole on issues surrounding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Her recent work on raising awareness and helping those who have experienced gun violence is another way in which Dr. Sartin continues to make a difference in our world.”

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT:

Dr. Rasheeno Griffith Dr. Rasheeno Griffith is a full-time Assistant Professor in the Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy department at Campbellsville University in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Griffith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist receiving his BS in Biblical Studies from Boyce College, MA in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, MS in Counseling from Campbellsville University, and PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy through the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Over the years, he has worked in the field of therapy within diverse settings, and much of his work has focused on adolescents, couples, and families. Dr. Griffith also serves as Chapter Advisor for the Delta Kappa International Marriage and Family Therapy Honor Society. He is an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor that affords him the privilege to serve as a clinical supervisor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Dr. Ken Hollis the Executive Director for the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Campbellsville University said, “I have had the privilege of knowing, and working with, Dr. Griffith for more than 20 years. He is one of the most genuine, caring people that I know. His desire to support those in need, as well as his love for his students, is obvious to everyone who knows him.” Aside from being a full-time professor and counselor, Dr. Griffith is also a minister and licensed preacher faithfully serving his church and community within various capacities over the past 24 years. Dr. Griffith has been happily married to Tasha Griffith for nearly 24 years, and they are the proud parents of two daughters—Taylor and Kirsten. He spends his free time with family doing what they enjoy most—movie nights and pizza! As a systems therapist, one of Dr. Griffith’s favorite quotes is “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly,” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a favorite book is Steps to an Ecology of Mind by Gregory Bateson. SPONSORED CONTENT

Moving black america forward BY JOHN HOWARD SHAW-WOO, FOUNDER AND CEO, NOIR BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC.

As we begin 2022, Black Americans are facing a continuum of economic and social turmoil across the country stemming from the decline of democracy, increase in racism, a widening gap between the rich and the poor, and an awareness of an unwearyingly class system, which our country’s White forefathers crafted deliberately and which continues to divide America into extreme sects each passing day with no resolution. It is time for Black Americans to move forward on their own. America has always prided itself as being the land of the free and the brave, but reality, not history, tells a much different story for Black America. As Black Americans head into February, designated as Black History Month, we must unravel our thinking behind Black History Month and consider its origin in order to clearly understand why and how to move forward as a people. Was this designation created for Blacks to celebrate their history and existence, or was it created to relieve the conscience of our oppressors? With the ongoing perpetual disparity war on Black Americans, how can Blacks celebrate their history in this country without acknowledging the societal and economic woes Blacks experience daily? For centuries, Black America has focused on moving forward as a collective, but the unanswered question is: has that effort resulted in the economic and social growth Black Americans need to catch up with their White brethren’s economic and social standing? Over

the more recent decades there have undoubtedly been gains through voting rights and affirmative action laws, but despite these efforts, Hispanic Americans have reached higher rates of intergenerational mobility, more similar to Whites than Blacks. In addition, Hispanics have surpassed Blacks in homeownership and 28% of Hispanics have made it to upper middle class or higher economic standing as compared to 35% of Whites and only 14% of Blacks. Moreover, 14% of middle-class Hispanic kids have made it to the top of the income scale as compared to 19% of Whites and just 7% of Blacks. The question that lies before each Black American currently is: how can we as a people reach economic and social mobility in America that equals that of White Americans? One major solution is a national economic development roadmap for Black Americans that could lead to “individual successes”, which in turn will contribute to the collective success of all Black Americans. Noir Black Chamber of Commerce Inc., a Louisville-based national 501C3 economic development organization, and certified Community Development Entity (CDE), under The U.S. Department of Treasury has created such a roadmap. The Chamber’s mission is to “Move Black America Forward” through the creation of innovative programming that will lead to economic and social mobility for Black Americans. In doing so, the Chamber has identified ten critical socioeconomic and educational pillars that it has crafted into a strategic plan, which it calls

“The New Black America Roadmap”. The Chamber believes if intentional programming is created around these ten pillars, Black America will begin to see positive economic and social change within one generation, through investments in our next Black generation, 9- to 24-years of age, and their learning of basic business education early. In addition, national programming needs to be created and funded through the solicitation of governmental and private funds to: (1) support Black Entrepreneurs in their start of companies, (2) growth education for Small Black Businesses, (3) Midsize Black Business support through the awarding of federal contracts, and (4) Black Corporate Professional advancement. In addition, Black Communities are also in dire need of national programming centered around: (1) Black Community Trauma, (2) Black Teen Higher Professional Career Attainment, (3) Non-college-bound Student Apprenticeship and Job Training, (4) Black Talent Corporate Placement, (5) Homeownership, and (6) Welfare Reform. If we Black Americans intend to improve our economic and social standing, we must first realize that we have got to do it largely ourselves, by committing to the task at hand, eliminating the dependency on systems that continue to fail, blocking out the daily noises that distract, and focusing on the ultimate goals of investing in our next generation. We need to engage in programs that will uplift and not denigrate and celebrate individual successes that will lead to a stronger collective.

the NEW BLACK AMERICA ROADMAP ten pillars: BUSINESS: I. Entrepreneurs Phase I – START – Active Noir Black Business Club Initiative This program is aimed at entrepreneurial startups to assist with business plan development, business formation processes, financial forecasting, and mentor pairing to provide support and guidance. II. Small Black Businesses Phase II – GROW – Active Noir Black Business Club Initiative This program is aimed at small businesses launch. III. Mid-Size Black Businesses Phase III – SUSTAIN – Active Noir Black Business Club Initiative This program is aimed at company streamline processes, develop expansion strategies, and contract readiness.

IV. Black Corporate Professionals – RISE – Active Noir Black Business Club Initiative This program is aimed at growing black corporate professionals through personal brand, holding on to personal values, leadership and communication skills, and professional etiquette.

COMMUNITY: V. Black Community Trauma – Active Noir Black Business Club Initiative This program is aimed at establishing a national black community trauma platform for black adults, teens, and children to learn about trauma and how to identify, work through, and move past it. VI. Black Teen Higher Professional Career Attainment Program – Active Noir Black Business Club Initiative This program is centered around moving black teens

toward higher professional career attainment where they strive to become accountants, architects, business executives, doctors, dentist, engineers, nurses, lawyers, pharmacist, scientists, etc. VII. Non-College-Bound Black Teen Apprenticeships and Job Training This program aims at reaching non-college- bound high school before they graduate from school or receive their GED to move them towards apprenticeship and job training programs before they get lost in the system after high school. VIII. Welfare Reform This program aims at bringing lawmakers and entitlement recipients to the table to require eligible entitlement recipients to either enroll in a job training program or college. As they graduate and make more money, their entitlement services are deceased. The program is centered on weaning families off welfare.

IV. Homeownership – Active Program & Noir Black Business Club Initiative This program aims at advancing black homeownership in America. The chamber has created The Noir Homebuyer Program, where a representative walks each potential homebuying clients through an 11-Step process that leads to homeownership. The chamber, in partnership with eHome America, has launched the chamber’s online HUD Certified Homeownership Course, which results in a completion certificate that clients can use for city’s down payment assistance programs. X. Black Talent Corporate Placement – Active Noir Black Business Club Initiative This program aims at teaching black university student’s basic business knowledge centered around entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, personal branding and marketing, interviewing skills, public speaking, internships, corporate placement, etc. •

"THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF BLACK AMERICA IS NOT HINGED ON THE COLLECTIVE, BUT RATHER INDIVIDUAL SUCCESSES!"

HOW: BUSINESS EDUCATION Black Entrepreneurs Small Black Businesses Mid-size Black Businesses Black Corporate Professionals

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING Black Community Trauma Black Teen Higher Professional Career Attainment Apprenticeship & Job Training for Non-college Bound Students Welfare Report Homeownership

NOIR

Black Talent Corporate Placement

DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS 1-844-NOIRBCC (664-7222) | INFO@NOIRBCC.ORG WWW.NOIRBCC.ORG

pen to a better way to bank? For many people throughout Louisville, the best way to bank isn’t a bank at all, but a credit union. Liberty Financial is relatively new to Louisville, but the credit union has generated plenty of buzz both locally—and nationwide. Liberty Financial, which opened its first Louisville branches in 2018, recently opened its sixth local office in November. The credit union has quickly become known for its commitment to returning value back to its members. “Credit unions are not for profit, but for service. We return profit back where it belongs—in your account,” said Carmelia Farrell, Account Service Representative at Liberty Financial’s Old Henry Office. According to Farrell, Liberty Financial returns value through lower rates on lending products, fewer fees, and notably higher rates on deposit products, including the credit union’s award-winning Vertical Checking account. Vertical Checking offers a high interest rate of 3.30% APY on balances up to $20,000 and reimbursement of ATM fees up to $15 from any machine worldwide when you meet basic usage criteria each month.

Banking Done Differently Liberty Financial exemplifies the credit union philosophy of People Helping People

“Vertical Checking is a real eye-opener for people. It’s a free checking account that actually pays you,” offered Renee Gordon, Account Service Representative at the credit union’s Crestwood location. The industry has taken notice. Over the past eighteen months, the local credit union (headquartered in southern Indiana) has received acclaim from numerous national financial publications. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has listed Vertical Checking among the nation’s top checking accounts in each issue since July 2020. In February 2021, online financial publication Investopedia honored the credit union as America’s Best Credit Union for Checking. In September 2021, Newsweek named the credit union to its America’s Best Banks 2022 list and honored Vertical Checking as the country’s Best High-Yield Checking Account. “I’m really proud to a part of this credit union,” Gordon concluded. “We work hard to offer everything you need, but in a way that gives more back to you.” •

Dreams become

REALITY when we LIVE UNITED

JOIN

The measure of a community’s success doesn’t lie in those who already have opportunities to thrive but in those still fighting for them.

metrounitedway.org/equity

Racial Wealth Gap Simulations • Beyond Buzzwords Speaker Series on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Black L.O.V.E. • Public Policy and Advocacy for Equitable Community • DEI Trainings and Resources

LEAN INTO LOUISVILLE LISTEN | LEARN | LEAD

Lean Into Louisville was launched in 2019 by Mayor Greg Fisher as an unprecedented series of activities, art exhibits, conversations, and presentations that confront the history and legacy of all forms of discrimination and inequality in the city, commonwealth, and country. Louisville, with both a history of discrimination and a tradition of ﬁghting for civil rights, LGBTQIA equality, and the welcoming of immigrants, can become a national model for life-changing civic reckoning through innovation, education, and guided conversation. Although the Lean Into Louisville events will be initiated by Louisville Metro Government, the initiative will support and promote related activities of community partners, grassroots organizations, schools, businesses, the faith community, and citizens alike and everyone is welcome to attend, view and participate.

The catalyst for a culture shift!

For updated calendar of events, visit Leanintolouisville.org

History in the Making

Our 100-year history in downtown Louisville shapes us, but it’s the future that drives us. As one of Louisville’s oldest downtown universities, we celebrate our urban location. We are proud to be a part of the heartbeat of this city, and we take our responsibility as a member of this community seriously, educating leaders who value diversity, strive for equity and practice compassion. Join us to affect change and impact the community where we live, work and serve.

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