Leadership Lexington: People, Culture & Community Day

“A veces, el mejor resultado es tu propia reflexión.” Sometimes, the most powerful outcome is your own self-reflection.
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​We began our People, Culture & Community Day not with comfort, but with disorientation. At Global Lex, FCPS Educator Leonel Ocasio stepped into the room and, without warning, began speaking entirely in Spanish. What followed was more than just a lesson. It was an experience. A classroom simulation designed to mirror the realities of immigrants and newcomer students navigating life in a new country.

A classroom simulation led by Leonel Ocasio helps students experience the realities of learning in a new language.

Confusion set in quickly. Frustration followed. Many of us felt overwhelmed while trying to gain understanding in an environment where language, something we so often take for granted, became a barrier. In that moment, we were not just observers. We were participants in a reality lived daily by so many in our community. Ocasio’s message was clear: cultural awareness is not theoretical, but deeply human. Behind every language barrier is a story shaped by courage, sacrifice, and resilience. Immigrants and refugees not only face linguistic challenges, but also educational disruptions, socioeconomic hardship, trauma, and the weight of stigma. To lead effectively in a diverse community, we must choose to see through a multicultural lens and intentionally create spaces where everyone feels they belong.

That lens was expanded further by Basel Touchan, Executive Director of Global Lex, who shared the organization’s mission to strengthen Lexington by connecting residents, organizations, and local government through language access, education, partnerships, and cultural engagement. In doing so, Global Lex ensures that everyone who calls Lexington home has the opportunity to participate fully in civic life and help shape the city’s future. The visit to Global Lex also offered a moment of reflection through a stunning Korean art exhibit, a reminder that culture is not just something we learn about, but something we can experience.

We then heard from Elisha Mutayongwa of the Marafiki Center, whose work centers on building bridges of mutual understanding across cultures. Through education, events, and advocacy, the Marafiki Center uplifts African and Swahili-speaking communities in Kentucky, ensuring representation and connection. We were invited to celebrate that vibrancy at the 5th Annual Swahili Day; an event that honors the rich diversity of African cultures in Lexington and recognizes Swahili as the third most spoken language in our city. Swahili Day takes place in Gatton Park on June 13.

Our day continued with a powerful and honest conversation about the future of equity. Facilitated by LFUCG Opportunity Officer Ciara Coleman, the discussion brought together leaders from the Racial Justice and Equity Commission; Phil Jun, Kennedy Wells, and Alex Garcia. What began as a panel quickly evolved into a dialogue, with panel and class participants leaning into hard questions and challenging assumptions. It was a reminder that equity work requires continuous learning, humility, and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths.

A panel discussion with leaders from the Racial Justice and Equity Commission evolves into a deeper dialogue on equity, learning, and challenging assumptions.

From there, we visited a hidden gem in our community: International Book Project. Since 1966, this organization has shipped nearly 8 million books to 168 countries, believing wholeheartedly that books change lives. Their work curating and distributing books to underserved communities locally and globally serves as a powerful tool for literacy, connection, and opportunity. As we walked through the warehouse, I saw a message on a T-shirt displayed that resonated deeply: “The future is well read.” It is a future shaped by access, education, and the belief that knowledge should never be out of reach

The class explores and selects books at International Book Project.

A class member sorts through donated books.

For lunch, we enjoyed the soulful cuisine of a local Black-owned business. It was more than just a meal. It was an intentional choice that reflected the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural richness that define Lexington’s small business community. Sharing this meal together became a meaningful act of support and connection. The afternoon highlighted the richness of Lexington’s cultural landscape through upcoming community festivals.
Leaders shared invitations to events that celebrate identity, heritage, and belonging:
Mizari Suárez, Executive Director of Casa de la Cultura, introduced Festival Día de las Madres at Masterson Station Park on May 9.

Christian Adair, Executive Director of Lyric Theatre’s DiverCITY Festival, shared information about the DiverCITY Festival at 120 N. Limestone on May 23, 2026.

Jason Schubert, Board President of the Pride Center, spoke about the Lexington Pride Festival on Oliver Lewis Way on May 30, 2026.

Brian Hodge, Community Organizer for Roots and Heritage, highlighted the Lexington Roots and Heritage Festival, taking place September 11–13 at Elm Tree Lane.

Each festival offers more than entertainment; they are spaces of visibility, celebration, and unity. They remind us that what makes Lexington unique is not just our differences but our willingness to embrace and support one another through them.

Community leaders share upcoming cultural festivals with the class, highlighting celebration, identity, and belonging in Lexington.

We closed the day at the Lexington Public Library, Northside Branch, with a powerful simulation led by Kentucky Refugee Ministries–Lexington. Melissa Coulston, Partnership Coordinator, guided the experience. Seated at tables, we were each given an identity—a refugee, an immigrant, an undocumented individual—and then asked to navigate life through a roll of the dice. What unfolded was a sobering reality: barriers at every turn, limited access, uncertainty, and systems that were difficult to navigate and even harder to overcome. This simulation was an invitation to empathy. It challenged us to see beyond policy and statistics and instead recognize the humanity in every story. As leaders, we were asked to consider: What can we do, in our everyday lives, to create a more welcoming and just community?

A team of class members participates in a refugee and immigrant simulation at the Lexington Public Library, Northside Branch.

Melissa Coulston, Partnership Coordinator with Kentucky Refugee Ministries–Lexington, leads a discussion during the simulation.

People, Culture & Community Day was not about easy answers. It was about deeper understanding. It was about stepping into perspectives different from our own and allowing those experiences to shape us and how we lead.
In the spirit of Leadership Lexington, this day truly did what it set out to do: It challenged the mind, opened the heart, and enriched the spirit

Written by: Ciara Coleman, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
​Photos by: Mahan Multimedia