community tops cares
SPONSORED BY
Jasmine Christopher
TOPS CARES
BY DAWN ANDERSON COURTESY PHOTOS
82 TOPS LOUISVILLE | october 2021
T
he Academy of Music Production Education and Development (AMPED), launched in 2014, serves Louisville youth ages 8-18 with two campuses in West Louisville. “We are a resource for youth after school, providing a safe community to feel welcomed and included,” says AMPED Development and Marketing Manager Emory Williamson. The Academy also hosts programs at schools and community centers throughout the city. For example, the Level Up program offers mentoring in JCPS schools on Black literature, history, and music. In addition to music education in writing, performing, and producing, AMPED has built successful technology programs. Teaching youth to code builds “that crucial foundation necessary for career success in the 21st century.” The Advancing Cities AMPED Tech Program for family
Chris Buress
learning provides Louisville residents age 18 or older with beginner-level technology training and career skills training, regardless of previous tech experience, in preparation for an IT Support career. In January 2021, AMPED received the $50,000 Infusion Award from The Lewis Prize for Music and, more recently, a share of Kosair Charities’ $17 million 2021 Gifts and Grant Program for nonprofit organizations. “We are very fortunate to connect with many different funding partners to sustain programming now and into the future,” says Williamson. As part of their most successful fundraising month of June totaling $940,000, AMPED was given $500,000 from the James Graham Brown Foundation.
