Leadership Central Kentucky
Watch Video Above About the Program
MISSION:
Leadership Central Kentucky is a regional program seeking to build a network of informed citizens connected across community lines. Curriculum includes leadership development, education on issues facing the region, relationship-building and awareness of uniqueness of each county. The counties involved are Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford.
ELIGIBILITY:
The Leadership Central Kentucky Board seeks to identify those individuals most likely to utilize their regional leadership abilities for a long-term benefit. Applicants must either work or live in any of the following eight counties: Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford. Approximately twenty-four individuals will be selected to participate in the program. These leaders and potential leaders will be active in business, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organization. Attention is taken to reflect the diversity of the Bluegrass Region’s communities.
Participants will be chosen by the Leadership Central Kentucky Board based upon the information completed on the application. They will be seeking a diverse class, professionally, geographically, ethnically and gender-wise. Preference will be given to individuals who have successfully completed a local leadership program.
STRUCTURE:
A mandatory Orientation kicks the program in August and thereafter, the third Wednesday September through May, class members travel to one county per month with a focus on community and regional topics such as transportation, education, economic development, quality of life, public advocacy, and agri-tourism. These topics are covered by knowledgeable speakers and panels, tours, interactive exercises and class discussions.
Sessions will last an average of eight hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sessions will be located throughout the region. Times and locations will be sent prior to sessions. Participant is responsible for their own transportation to the county. Once in the county, bus transportation is provided between venues. Any participant missing more than two regular full day sessions, in half-day increments, will not graduate from the program
COST:
Tuition for Leadership Central Kentucky is $800. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. If financial assistance is sought please attach a letter officially requesting a scholarship and stating your reasons. The scholarship request must accompany the completed application to be considered. Requests for scholarship assistance are completely confidential. (Note: no full scholarships are awarded.)
BENEFITS:
Leadership Central Kentucky is a regional program seeking to build a network of informed citizens connected across community lines. Curriculum includes leadership development, education on issues facing the region, relationship-building and awareness of uniqueness of each county. The counties involved are Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford.
ELIGIBILITY:
The Leadership Central Kentucky Board seeks to identify those individuals most likely to utilize their regional leadership abilities for a long-term benefit. Applicants must either work or live in any of the following eight counties: Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford. Approximately twenty-four individuals will be selected to participate in the program. These leaders and potential leaders will be active in business, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organization. Attention is taken to reflect the diversity of the Bluegrass Region’s communities.
Participants will be chosen by the Leadership Central Kentucky Board based upon the information completed on the application. They will be seeking a diverse class, professionally, geographically, ethnically and gender-wise. Preference will be given to individuals who have successfully completed a local leadership program.
STRUCTURE:
A mandatory Orientation kicks the program in August and thereafter, the third Wednesday September through May, class members travel to one county per month with a focus on community and regional topics such as transportation, education, economic development, quality of life, public advocacy, and agri-tourism. These topics are covered by knowledgeable speakers and panels, tours, interactive exercises and class discussions.
Sessions will last an average of eight hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sessions will be located throughout the region. Times and locations will be sent prior to sessions. Participant is responsible for their own transportation to the county. Once in the county, bus transportation is provided between venues. Any participant missing more than two regular full day sessions, in half-day increments, will not graduate from the program
COST:
Tuition for Leadership Central Kentucky is $800. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. If financial assistance is sought please attach a letter officially requesting a scholarship and stating your reasons. The scholarship request must accompany the completed application to be considered. Requests for scholarship assistance are completely confidential. (Note: no full scholarships are awarded.)
BENEFITS:
- Broaden perspectives and understanding of the Bluegrass Region
- Meet local, regional and state leaders
- Develop and expand network of contacts
- Visit county sites and facilities
- Gain exposure to both current county and regional issues and developments
- Build friendships and working relationships with class members
2021-22 Program Presented By:
Platinum Sponsors:
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Jim Coleman of Coleman Crest Farm
Leadership Central Kentucky Class Explores Fayette County
Recap by Jenny Frey, Keeneland Association
Sometimes the greatest perspective can be achieved when you take the time to explore your own backyard. As a native of Fayette County, I was excited for my fellow Leadership Central Kentucky classmates to explore some the uniqueness that my home county brings to this region. The Leadership Central Kentucky class spent its recent day session learning how various industries, business owners, and entrepreneurs are relying on a collective intelligence to provide solutions to economic challenges.
Keeneland’s Vice President of Racing, Gatewood Bell kicked off the day on the Track Apron, where the group was able to take in the morning workouts prior to the race day. While most of the group was familiar with Keeneland racing and sales, the cohort received a behind-the-scenes tour of the backstretch and racing office to see what it takes to put on a race day, Thoroughbred auction – and even how to claim a horse. Gatewood offered a unique perspective on some of the challenges that have faced the industry, which is why leaders came together to prioritize the safety and well-being of the equine athletes. Through this collaborative effort The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) was passed, displaying a unity amongst the industry to strengthen the sport for future generations.
Mayor Linda Gorton joined us in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion, promising the group an exciting day in Fayette County. She expressed the importance of regionalism and how each of our stops during the day affects Central Kentucky as a whole. Following Mayor Gorton’s remarks, Ted Abernathy, managing partner of Economic Leadership LLC led a session where he dissected the issues in the rapidly changing world. We had the opportunity to discuss some of the big trends that are affecting all of our counties, for which regional collaboration will be necessary to come up with solutions.
The class traveled to Coleman Crest Farm where we were treated to a farm-to-table lunch and greeted by Ashley Smith, co-founder and CEO of Black Soil. Ashley shared the mission of Black Soil: By bringing together urban families with rural and urban-based black producers across the state, they help introduce opportunities in agriculture that promote self-sufficiency, healthy living, and activate cooperative economics.
Jim Coleman is one of Black farmers who Ashley partners with through Black Soil, he provides healthy food options to a large customer base by supplying produce to popular local restaurants. Purchased by Jim’s great grandfather after he had received his freedom, Coleman Crest Farm is one of Lexington’s oldest Black-owned farms that is responsible for sending over 300 of his descendants to college. Like his predecessors, Coleman is committed to removing barriers through his incubator program that helps aspiring farmers grow, harvest, and market their products. The future is bright for Coleman Crest Farm as they continue to provide opportunities to those who may have marginalized in other industries.
The next stop was UK Cornerstone, an innovative architectural design that was originally intended as a parking structure, provides a new collaborative space for the University of Kentucky and Lexington. Instead of just another parking structure on campus, the ground floor of The Cornerstone is a fully transformable space that can be utilized by students, faculty, and the public. The most unique feature of the space includes a gamers lounge and esports theater that allows the university to participate in the exciting competition of esports, including national gaming tournaments.
Finally, the class traveled to Base 249 to put some of our hosts’ entrepreneurial spirt into action. Lead by Warren Nash, Executive Director, UK Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship, the class broke into small groups to develop a pitch for an item chosen at random. The exercise demonstrated how all of the individuals we met throughout the day depended upon the “collective intelligence” of like-minded partners to address a challenge or opportunity that was bigger than their industry, profession or region.
Recap by Jenny Frey, Keeneland Association
Sometimes the greatest perspective can be achieved when you take the time to explore your own backyard. As a native of Fayette County, I was excited for my fellow Leadership Central Kentucky classmates to explore some the uniqueness that my home county brings to this region. The Leadership Central Kentucky class spent its recent day session learning how various industries, business owners, and entrepreneurs are relying on a collective intelligence to provide solutions to economic challenges.
Keeneland’s Vice President of Racing, Gatewood Bell kicked off the day on the Track Apron, where the group was able to take in the morning workouts prior to the race day. While most of the group was familiar with Keeneland racing and sales, the cohort received a behind-the-scenes tour of the backstretch and racing office to see what it takes to put on a race day, Thoroughbred auction – and even how to claim a horse. Gatewood offered a unique perspective on some of the challenges that have faced the industry, which is why leaders came together to prioritize the safety and well-being of the equine athletes. Through this collaborative effort The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) was passed, displaying a unity amongst the industry to strengthen the sport for future generations.
Mayor Linda Gorton joined us in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion, promising the group an exciting day in Fayette County. She expressed the importance of regionalism and how each of our stops during the day affects Central Kentucky as a whole. Following Mayor Gorton’s remarks, Ted Abernathy, managing partner of Economic Leadership LLC led a session where he dissected the issues in the rapidly changing world. We had the opportunity to discuss some of the big trends that are affecting all of our counties, for which regional collaboration will be necessary to come up with solutions.
The class traveled to Coleman Crest Farm where we were treated to a farm-to-table lunch and greeted by Ashley Smith, co-founder and CEO of Black Soil. Ashley shared the mission of Black Soil: By bringing together urban families with rural and urban-based black producers across the state, they help introduce opportunities in agriculture that promote self-sufficiency, healthy living, and activate cooperative economics.
Jim Coleman is one of Black farmers who Ashley partners with through Black Soil, he provides healthy food options to a large customer base by supplying produce to popular local restaurants. Purchased by Jim’s great grandfather after he had received his freedom, Coleman Crest Farm is one of Lexington’s oldest Black-owned farms that is responsible for sending over 300 of his descendants to college. Like his predecessors, Coleman is committed to removing barriers through his incubator program that helps aspiring farmers grow, harvest, and market their products. The future is bright for Coleman Crest Farm as they continue to provide opportunities to those who may have marginalized in other industries.
The next stop was UK Cornerstone, an innovative architectural design that was originally intended as a parking structure, provides a new collaborative space for the University of Kentucky and Lexington. Instead of just another parking structure on campus, the ground floor of The Cornerstone is a fully transformable space that can be utilized by students, faculty, and the public. The most unique feature of the space includes a gamers lounge and esports theater that allows the university to participate in the exciting competition of esports, including national gaming tournaments.
Finally, the class traveled to Base 249 to put some of our hosts’ entrepreneurial spirt into action. Lead by Warren Nash, Executive Director, UK Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship, the class broke into small groups to develop a pitch for an item chosen at random. The exercise demonstrated how all of the individuals we met throughout the day depended upon the “collective intelligence” of like-minded partners to address a challenge or opportunity that was bigger than their industry, profession or region.
