Class Projects 2025-26
Community projects are a cornerstone of the Leadership Lexington experience. Each year, class members collaborate across sectors to identify real challenges and opportunities facing our community and develop initiatives designed to create meaningful, lasting impact. Since its founding more than 40 years ago, Leadership Lexington has supported dozens of projects that have strengthened neighborhoods, advanced education and workforce development, supported nonprofits, and shaped civic dialogue across the Greater Lexington region. Many projects continue beyond the program year, evolving into ongoing initiatives, organizations, or partnerships that remain active in the community today. The projects below represent the current class’s ongoing work. While each project is in a different stage of development, all are actively evolving — with goals, timelines, and needs that may continue to shift as the work progresses. We invite alumni, community partners, and supporters to explore these initiatives and connect with project leaders if you have expertise, resources, or interest in getting involved.
Project lead contact information is listed within each project overview.
Project lead contact information is listed within each project overview.
Birdie Buddies
Purpose: Using the game of golf to mentor and empower youth while promoting positive life skills and early intervention.
Birdie Buddies of the Bluegrass is a golf-based mentorship program designed to connect children with positive role models while teaching valuable life lessons through the game of golf. The initiative focuses on early intervention and prevention of risk factors such as gang involvement, gun violence, school disengagement, and substance abuse among youth in the Lexington community.
The project centers on:
The program targets children in 3rd–5th grade from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and is designed to create a safe, supportive environment for growth both on and off the course.
The inaugural season will run weekly from February 28 through May 20, with programming hosted primarily at Kearney Hills Golf Links and potential outings at other public golf courses in Lexington. Strategic partnerships currently include the YMCA and Lexington Parks and Recreation, with additional partners anticipated.
Project Contact:
Shane M. Burks II
[email protected]
Birdie Buddies of the Bluegrass is a golf-based mentorship program designed to connect children with positive role models while teaching valuable life lessons through the game of golf. The initiative focuses on early intervention and prevention of risk factors such as gang involvement, gun violence, school disengagement, and substance abuse among youth in the Lexington community.
The project centers on:
- Pairing youth with mentors in a 1:1 relationship to foster trust, guidance, and long-term support
- Teaching golf fundamentals alongside mentorship conversations focused on confidence, responsibility, and goal-setting
- Building strong partnerships with community organizations to expand access and sustainability
The program targets children in 3rd–5th grade from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and is designed to create a safe, supportive environment for growth both on and off the course.
The inaugural season will run weekly from February 28 through May 20, with programming hosted primarily at Kearney Hills Golf Links and potential outings at other public golf courses in Lexington. Strategic partnerships currently include the YMCA and Lexington Parks and Recreation, with additional partners anticipated.
Project Contact:
Shane M. Burks II
[email protected]
GenLex
Purpose:
Empowering young people with financial knowledge, leadership skills, and real-world tools to support a successful transition into adulthood. GenLex is a youth-focused initiative created through Leadership Lexington to equip students with the confidence, understanding, and practical skills needed to make informed financial decisions that positively impact their future. The program emphasizes real-life applications of financial principles while exposing students to leadership pathways and community resources beyond the classroom.
The project focuses on:
Session topics include:
A core component of GenLex is building meaningful connections between students and community leaders. These interactions are designed to build confidence, expand perspective, and introduce tangible financial and professional pathways. Students who complete the program will be encouraged to take a next step in their financial journey by opening a UK Federal Credit Union (UKFCU) bank account.
The GenLex team intentionally partnered with The Learning Center, recognizing the strong foundation already in place and designing the program to complement existing efforts while fostering long-term relationships between students and community leaders.
Project Contact:
TJ Maxberry
[email protected]
Empowering young people with financial knowledge, leadership skills, and real-world tools to support a successful transition into adulthood. GenLex is a youth-focused initiative created through Leadership Lexington to equip students with the confidence, understanding, and practical skills needed to make informed financial decisions that positively impact their future. The program emphasizes real-life applications of financial principles while exposing students to leadership pathways and community resources beyond the classroom.
The project focuses on:
- Delivering hands-on financial literacy education through interactive, engaging sessions
- Connecting students with community and business leaders who share real-world experiences and insights
- Encouraging responsible financial habits and access to long-term financial resources
Session topics include:
- Money Moves 101: Budgeting and money management
- Bank It or Break It / The Paycheck Puzzle: Banking basics and understanding paychecks
- Level Up Your Wealth: Real estate fundamentals and long-term wealth building
A core component of GenLex is building meaningful connections between students and community leaders. These interactions are designed to build confidence, expand perspective, and introduce tangible financial and professional pathways. Students who complete the program will be encouraged to take a next step in their financial journey by opening a UK Federal Credit Union (UKFCU) bank account.
The GenLex team intentionally partnered with The Learning Center, recognizing the strong foundation already in place and designing the program to complement existing efforts while fostering long-term relationships between students and community leaders.
Project Contact:
TJ Maxberry
[email protected]
Lexington Land Bank
Purpose:
Exploring the creation of a land bank to revitalize vacant properties, strengthen neighborhoods, and support sustainable, equitable growth in Lexington.
The Lexington Land Bank project examines the potential for establishing a land bank as a tool to breathe new life into vacant and underused properties across the city. By studying successful models in other communities, the project seeks to identify best practices and determine how a land bank could be tailored to meet Lexington’s unique needs and priorities.
The initiative focuses on:
While this project is currently in an exploratory phase, its findings aim to inform future conversations and decision-making around responsible land use and development in the city.
Project Contact:
Jay Phillips
[email protected]
Exploring the creation of a land bank to revitalize vacant properties, strengthen neighborhoods, and support sustainable, equitable growth in Lexington.
The Lexington Land Bank project examines the potential for establishing a land bank as a tool to breathe new life into vacant and underused properties across the city. By studying successful models in other communities, the project seeks to identify best practices and determine how a land bank could be tailored to meet Lexington’s unique needs and priorities.
The initiative focuses on:
- Evaluating land bank models from peer cities and identifying best practices
- Engaging local stakeholders—including city leaders, community members, and real estate professionals—to gather input and insight
- Exploring how a land bank could support neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, and long-term economic development
While this project is currently in an exploratory phase, its findings aim to inform future conversations and decision-making around responsible land use and development in the city.
Project Contact:
Jay Phillips
[email protected]
LexSupport
Purpose:
Strengthening Lexington’s economic and social well-being by helping businesses understand, support, and invest in the impact of local nonprofits.
LexSupport is an initiative designed to bridge the gap between the for-profit and nonprofit sectors by making nonprofit impact easier to understand and act on. The project highlights how strategic investment in nonprofit organizations contributes to a stronger economy, healthier communities, and a more vibrant Lexington.
The initiative focuses on:
Production on the video is anticipated to begin in Winter 2025–26, with a public launch planned for Spring 2026 alongside the debut of LexSupport’s landing page. The video is intended to serve as a resource for citywide giving initiatives, including campaigns such as Bluegrass Community Foundation’s Bluegrass Gives Day.
Project Contact:
Alex Degen
[email protected] | 908.809.9898
Strengthening Lexington’s economic and social well-being by helping businesses understand, support, and invest in the impact of local nonprofits.
LexSupport is an initiative designed to bridge the gap between the for-profit and nonprofit sectors by making nonprofit impact easier to understand and act on. The project highlights how strategic investment in nonprofit organizations contributes to a stronger economy, healthier communities, and a more vibrant Lexington.
The initiative focuses on:
- Translating nonprofit impact into clear, accessible insights for business and community leaders
- Encouraging informed, community-driven charitable investment
- Showcasing how partnerships between businesses and nonprofits drive meaningful, measurable change
Production on the video is anticipated to begin in Winter 2025–26, with a public launch planned for Spring 2026 alongside the debut of LexSupport’s landing page. The video is intended to serve as a resource for citywide giving initiatives, including campaigns such as Bluegrass Community Foundation’s Bluegrass Gives Day.
Project Contact:
Alex Degen
[email protected] | 908.809.9898
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