Shows
Listen Up!Common UnityOur new co-host, Ramona Dallum, is joined by Stacy Bailey-Ndiaye, the founder and Executive Director of Bridge Kids International. The organization uses the power of African heritage culture to create communities that support the well-being of young people. Prior to this, she worked in higher education for over 20 years. The duo discusses the meaning of community, supporting kids through creative mastery, building community leaders, and the unique possibilities found in Louisville. Bailey-Ndiaye graduated from Ithaca College with a BA in Sociology with a concentration in Race and Ethnic Relations and a Master's in Educational Administration...2025-07-241h 03
Listen Up!OversightOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Louisville Metro Inspector General Ed Harness. Harness has a long history in law enforcement with the US Army and the Milwaukee Police Department, as Director of Police Oversight in Albuquerque before becoming Inspector General in 2021.The duo discusses the profession of policing, the value of oversight, consent decrees, and the importance of community involvement. Harness graduated from Concordia University with a BA in Criminal Justice and from Marquette University Law School with a Juris Doctorate. 2025-07-171h 07
Listen Up!Know Your AnglesOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Bridgette Johnson, President & CEO of New Directions Housing Corporation. Johnson was recently appointed to the role, having 20+ years of experience with the agency. She has a depth of knowledge in the affordable housing sector, including real estate and market assessments, marketing and leasing, construction management, project accounting, and project redevelopment. We also introduce our new co-host, Ramona Dallum, an inclusive leader in the field of philanthropy and the arts, committed to equity-centered design and innovation for healthy communities.The trio discusses what affordable housing really...2025-07-1158 min
Listen Up!Relationship Over RigorOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Dr Armon a Professor and Director of the BSW program at the University of Louisville's Kent School of Social Work. Dr Perry's research interests center on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and external factors that influence men’s involvement in the lives of their children, as well as the impact of that involvement on the family’s well-being.The duo discusses the challenges of Black fatherhood, the difference between absent and nonresident fathers, mentorship and building community relationships, and manhood.Dr Perry graduated from Alabama State with a BS i...2025-06-261h 23
Listen Up!Out of BusinessOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Adria Johnson, President & CEO of Metro United Way. Before becoming CEO in 2021, Johnson served as its Chief Impact Officer. The organization's mission is to improve lives in the seven-county region with a focus on thriving kids, strong households, and an equitable community. The duo discusses the challenges of leading a non-profit, the struggles in advocacy work, and the dream of putting non-profits out of business due to the need no longer being required.Johnson graduated from Ball State with a BS in Accounting and from the...2025-05-151h 15
Listen Up!Basketball Court IndexOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Terrance Sullivan, Racial Justice Director of Amnesty International USA. Before joining Amnesty International, Sullivan was appointed Executive Director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights in June 2020 during the height of the new age racial justice movement. Sullivan credits growing up as a "poor Black kid in a small white town" as the reason behind his advocacy. The duo discusses the new era of civil rights, the impediment of growth in the commonwealth, the effects of bad policy, and Louisville versus the rest of Kentucky....2025-05-081h 21
Listen Up!Two-Way StreetOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Jeana Dunlap, an urbanist, well-known development and housing advocate, and founder of META Agency. META Agency works to co-create spaces and places where access and ambition prevail in the social, natural, and built environments. Dunlap previously served for over 15 years in the Louisville Metro Government, overseeing initiatives addressing abandoned property, real estate development, and affordable housing.The duo discusses how Louisville has changed, the purpose of city planning, the progress of development, and the effects of gentrification.Dunlap is a DuPont Manual HS graduate, earned...2025-04-241h 14
Listen Up!A Credible MessengerOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Anthony Smith, Executive Director for Cities United. Cities United takes a holistic public health approach to reducing gun violence and creating better communities. The duo discuss the steps other cities are taking in violence prevention and what Louisville can do to improve. Anthony previously appeared on the podcast in the episode How We Do The Work in 2023.2025-03-201h 12
Listen Up!A Concerned CitizenOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by guest Maxwell Mitchell. Mitchell is a livestreamer and citizen journalist who rose to prominence following the 2020 protests in response to the murder of Breonna Taylor. The duo discusses the rise of livestreaming, the ethics of citizen journalism, and the changes in how we consume media. You can find his live streams on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. 2025-03-061h 04
Listen Up!A Voice for OthersWe are back for Season 3 with our host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, and guest Trevin Bass. Trevin is the newly elected JCPS Board Member representing District 4 (Shively area). A product of the JCPS system, he is passionate about using his voice to help others. The duo discusses the current Superintendent search, transportation issues, and new ways to make schools equitable for all.Bass graduated from Spalding University with a BA in Psychology. He is a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., and advocates for mentoring the youth. He is a former PTA President.2025-02-1352 min
Listen Up!The Right HeadspaceOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Greg Vann of the JCPS Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Department. He is the Executive Administrator of External Equity, which is to say his job is to make sure that students feel supported regardless of ethnicity, race, color, national origin, age, different abilities, religion, marital or parental status, political affiliations or beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
The duo discusses the fallout from the 2024 election, the importance of Black Student Unions, how the school district is working to support students outside of the classroom, and...2024-11-071h 04
Listen Up!Trusted AdvisorsOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Lamont Chandler of Chandler Insurance Group. He is an insurance broker specializing in Medicare education and the senior community.
The duo discuss the importance of insurance, navigating health benefits, and the effects of politics in healthcare.
Chandler is a Louisville native and graduate of Louisville Male High School and the University of Louisville. He began his career in the automotive industry, where he spent 25 years before pivoting to insurance and following in his grandfather's footsteps. 2024-10-3151 min
Listen Up!Everything's A VoteOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is again joined by LUL Center for Justice and Policy Director, Hon. Felicia Nu'man, to talk about the upcoming election and the League's get-out-the-vote efforts. They talk in-depth about Amendment 2, the school voucher bill, which falsely claims to increase student choice and teacher pay.
To learn more about the election, how and where to vote, and to get involved, visit our website.
2024-10-101h 23
Listen Up!Tell the StoryOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by DeeDee Cummings, founder of the Louisville Book Festival. Founded in 2018 the festival's mission is to
celebrate and promote the love and the benefits of reading, writing, and literacy.
Cummings is a multi-talented author, therapist, and attorney. The duo talk about the power of literacy and the conspiracy of book banning, the evolution of Louisville, America's race problem, and the future of West Louisville.
Cummings earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bennett College. She has a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology and a Juris Doctorate...2024-09-261h 10
Listen Up!Empowered to LeadOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Simone Sibley, LUL Young Professionals President. The Young Professionals are an Urban League Auxillary group for persons 21-40 to develop the next generation of leaders through personal development and community involvement.
The duo talk about establishing yourself in the city as a transplant, the current battle to suppress DEI initiatives, upcoming events for the Young Professionals, and future goals.
Sibley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College. She has worked for several non-profit and governmental agencies in the areas of public health...2024-09-1953 min
Listen Up!Alternative UniverseOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Kristen Williams, Play Cousins Collective Executive Director. Play Cousins Collective is a Black family collective with a mission to build a supportive village around children.
The duo talk about raising strong Black children while navigating predominately white spaces, creating positive spaces, providing community healing, and the importance of the village.
Willams earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Louisville and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University.2024-08-291h 01
Listen Up!Removing the BlameOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by the Commonwealth Attorney for the 30th Judicial District of Kentucky Hon. Gerina Whethers. Whethers has served over 20 years of public service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a prosecuting attorney, Cabinet Secretary for the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet, Executive Director for the Office of the Attorney General.
The duo talk about the history of Louisville over the last 50 years, Whethers early influence as a daughter of the Civil Rights Movement, and the importance in seeing the people behind the v in legal cases.
Whethers earned a B...2024-08-191h 31
Listen Up!Noblesse ObligeOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by the Community Foundation of Louisville President & CEO Ron Gallo. Gallo has over 25 years of experience in community philanthropy as the head of several organizations across the U.S.
The duo talk about the history of philanthropy, the role of racial equity, the changing landscape through technology, and the importance of advocacy.
Gallo is a native of the Bronx, New York, and holds a BA in History and Asian Studies from Connecticut College, an MS in Social Work from Columbia University, and an Ed.D. in...2024-08-011h 05Listen Up!Divestment In HumanityOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by St John Center Executive Director Ra'Shann Martin. Martin was named as a 2023 Nonprofit Visionary Leader by Louisville Business First.
The duo talk about political violence like HB5 which criminalized homelessness, the lack of affordable housing and its effect on the city's ecosystem, and how to serve with dignity.
Martin is a native of the Newburg neighborhood and a UK graduate. She serves on several local boards including Actors Theatre of Louisville and Coalition for the Homeless. 2024-07-1857 minListen Up!Highly Functional EcosystemOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Cynthia Brown, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, and Walter Baynard, Senior Business Advisor. Together, they dive into the dynamics of entrepreneurship, the challenges faced by new business owners, and the resources available to support emerging businesses.
Cynthia Brown brings a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience in fostering entrepreneurial growth and innovation. With his deep expertise in business advisory, Walter Baynard provides valuable insights into strategic planning and business development.
Make sure to attend the Louisville Urban League Black Expo on August 3rd—it's fr...2024-07-1149 minListen Up!Following the BlueprintOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is again joined by Councilman, Professor, and artist Jecorey Arthur. Arthur shares insight as to why he chose not to run for re-election as District 4 Councilperson, the history behind Louisville Freedom Summer, and community issues.
Jecorey Arthur is a West Louisville native and UofL graduate. He has performed around the world as a classically trained percussionist and hip-hop artist. In 2020 he was elected to Louisville's Metro Council to represent District 4.
Read Frederick Douglass's keynote, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” and hear it spoken by his descendants. Li...2024-07-081h 03
Listen Up!CatalystOur host, LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Louisville Sports Commission President Greg Fante. The Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) is tasked with attracting, hosting, and creating sporting events and activities in the community to promote the economy while also fostering healthy and active lifestyles through sport.
The duo discusses Louisville's evolution, the role that sports have played in this city's development, how sport evokes change, and the possibility of a pro sports team.
Fante is a Louisville native and UofL graduate. He has been with the LSC for 16 years and previously worked in...2024-06-2749 min
Listen Up!Powered By the PeopleOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by
Jennie Jean Davidson & Dana Jackson, former Directors of Network Center for Community Change (NC3). NC3
was an organization centering on social relationships, displacement, accountability, and resistance that developed a network of change agents within the affected community.
The trio talks about the power of networking, the dirty work of organizing, the changes to the community, and the 'why' that keeps them going in this work.
Jennie Jean Davidson is Executive Director at Neighborhood House Louisville, a modern community hub for Louisville's West End. Dana Jackson...2024-06-201h 21
Listen Up!CollaboratorsOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by the creators behind Black Future Fest: Shauntrice Martin and SteVon Edwards. Black Future Fest aims to celebrate Black excellence, achievement, and possibility in Louisville with a long term goal of building a Black arts district in the West End.
The trio talks about the fearlessness of Gen Z, how Louisville has changed over the last 30+ years, the arts community, and their hopes for the community.
Check out the upcoming Black Future Fest, Saturday 8/3, 1-6 PM at the California Community Center, 1600 St Catherine Street. This free...2024-06-131h 14
Listen Up!Not Magic, But ScienceOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Jerald Henry Smith aka the S.T.E.A.M. Chemist. He combines science, technology, engineering, and the culinary arts to create an unforgettable learning experience for students.
The pair talk about Jerald's early influences that guided him into science, working as a Chemist at Beam Suntory, and his foray into entrepreneurship.
Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Jerald Henry Smith always knew that he would become a scientist. He found a passion for Chemistry as a youth from a science kit he purchased at...2024-06-0649 min
Listen Up!Coffee, Culture, CommunityOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by the Ronyale Smith, Owner Blak Koffee. Blak Koffee is a Black-owned cafe in the Russell neighborhood of West Louisville, 1219 West Jefferson Street at the Molo Village.
The pair talk about Ronyale's entrepreneurship journey from nail tech to small business owner, the new store opening in the Goodwill West Louisville Opportunity Center, and the importance of creating space in West Louisville for the community to network.
Ronyale Smith is a life-long Louisvillian from the Newburg area with a heart for community and a deep-rooted passion for connecting and emp...2024-05-1641 min
Listen Up!But forOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by the LISC Executive Director Scott Love. LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides financial capital to help improve historically disinvested neighborhoods. LISC provides both business investment and affordable housing strategies to west Louisville.
The pair talk about the current housing shortage, how businesses can connect to improve their community, the role CDFI's play in community lending, and the impact they have already made like the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Complex.
Love has worked in the banking industry for ma...2024-05-0942 min
Listen Up!A Strong CityOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by the Executive Director of the Louisville Downtown Partnership, Rebecca Fleischaker. The pair talk about the current state of downtown Louisville, how changes impact the city as a whole, the role of business in politics, and what they can do to make a difference.
Fleischaker is a Louisville native who served 2 decades in city government before joining LDP. Her background includes Public Relations and Economic Development.2024-04-1850 min
Listen Up!Be the DifferenceOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Da'Marrion Fleming Executive Director of Sowing Seeds With Faith a youth enrichment and afterschool tutoring program. The pair talk about the current state of youth in the community, education, the rise in youth violence, and what we can do to make a difference.
Da'Marrion is a Louisville native, veteran, and former JCPS teacher who took his passion for youth advocacy and created a nonprofit organization in support of the Louisville community. 2024-04-111h 23
Listen Up!The Urban ParkwayOur host LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor is joined by
Ameera Palacios & Jonathan Albers employees of HDR Inc. the design firm leading the Louisville Metro Reimagine 9th Street project. The project involves the transformation of three significant corridors: Ninth Street (from Jefferson to Broadway), Muhammad Ali Boulevard, and Chestnut Street. The goal is to make Ninth Street a pedestrian-friendly destination (similar to NuLu) and convert Ali and Chestnut Streets from a one-way to a two-way traffic pattern.
Add your voice to the plan by attending the next community meeting June 6, 2024 at Louisville Central Community Center from 5-7:00...2024-03-2857 min
Listen Up!From Intent to ActionOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined again by the President of The Boys & Girls Club of Kentuckiana Daryle Unseld, Jr. The pair talk about the upcoming Great Futures Sneaker Ball, which is a fundraising event for the Club, its special guest Emmitt Smith, the effects of anti-DEI legislation, and future expansion plans to add more Boys & Girls Club locations.
Listen to Unseld's previous appearance on our show, Season 1, Episode 14 "No Stranger to the Work".
2024-03-2144 min
Listen Up!Service and ExpertiseWe are back after a short break with our host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor who is joined by Stephen Reily. Reily is the man behind one of the Louisville Urban League's most popular programs, The Reily Reentry Project, which provides free expungement services to those who qualify. He is an attorney, entrepreneur, and civic leader in Louisville, KY as well as an art collector and former Director of the Speed Art Museum.
Our duo talk about the formation of the Reily Rentry Project and Clean Slate policy, philanthropy, and the role of art and artists to...2024-03-1457 min
Listen Up!A Tool for ChangeOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Shameka Parrish-Wright, Executive Director of VOCAL-KY whose mission includes ending the AIDS epidemic, the war on drugs, mass incarceration, and homelessness across the country. She also serves as Louisville Metro Councilperson for District 3 a position held since November 2023.
The duo discuss the recent anti-DEI legislation taking place in Kentucky, the courage (or lack thereof) of current city/state leaders, and how to build a legacy so future generations are not fighting the same battles.
For more information on the response regarding anti-DEI bills and to sign...2024-02-221h 02
Listen Up!Bills, Bills, BillsOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is once again joined by LUL Policy Director Felicia Nu'Man to talk about the 2024 KY Legislative session. The General Assembly has hundreds of bills being proposed and voted on daily, and our duo highlights a few of those that will greatly affect the communities we serve; from anti-DEI to housing and education there is a lot to cover. We strongly encourage those who listen to read more about these bills which can be found on our Legislative Agenda tracker and to exercise your right to testify or contact your legislative representative. 2024-02-151h 06
Listen Up!Someone Needs to HelpOur host Lyndon Pryor, LUL President & CEO, is joined by Shemika Whiteside of Zora's Cradle, whose mission is to address the gaps in maternity health services facing Black women and women of lower socio-economic demographics. Zora's Cradle provides therapy services, access to financial and health supports, parenting classes and support groups, and operates the local milk bank. Their Perinatal Resource Center offers free supplies of milk, formula, diapers, wipes, breast pumps, clothing, and more to families in need, regardless of their income.
Whiteside holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville Kent School. She is...2024-02-0857 min
Listen Up!Communal ConnectionHost Lyndon Pryor, LUL President & CEO, is joined by Ebony O'rea an educator, community organizer, social worker, and lover of people. The duo talk about non-traditional mental health services, community advocacy, and teaching conflict resolution skills to young adults in the community.
O'rea is a graduate of the UofL Kent School of Social Work and has been an active organizer in the community for over a decade working with the NC3 (Network Center for Community Change), Community Foundation of Louisville, and Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.2024-01-2554 min
Listen Up!History & HumanityIn the first episode of season 2 our host LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor reflects on the history of the movement, the country, and the late Benjamin K Richmond. Pryor stresses the importance of understanding where we come from, but also to recognize that titans of the movement upon whose shoulders we stand are real, whole people. 2024-01-1854 min
Listen Up!CEO Live TalksThis episode of Listen Up! features an excerpt of an interview from CEO Live Talks with Swannie Jett which featured LUL President & CEO Lyndon Pryor. The duo talk about Pryor's upbringing, education, and what led him to the Urban League.
Watch the complete two-part interview on the PDCHC YouTube account part one and part two.
Special thank you to Dr Swannie Jett and Juan Lambert of Park Duvalle Community Health Centers.
2024-01-1128 min
Listen Up!So Close, But So FarOur host LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Dr. John Marshall, Chief Equity Officer for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). Our duo raps about the current state of public education, charter schools, parents' responsibility in school, and how JCPS is so close and so far from getting it right.
Dr Marshall was born and raised in Louisville and completed his undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate studies at Western Kentucky University. The self-proclaimed "Grinch who stole celebration", focuses on those students who traditionally fall through the cracks and creating a truly equitable system. 2023-12-281h 17
Listen Up!Higher LearningOur host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Dr. Deonte Hollowell, Program Director of African-American Studies at Spalding University. Our duo rap about the role of higher education in the revolution and how it is important to take the knowledge out of the classroom and back to the community.
Hollowell is a native of Hopkinsville, Ky, and a graduate of the University of Louisville (Pan-African Studies) and Temple University (African-American Studies). Hollowell’s special area of study is the relationship between African Americans and police. Hollowell is also on the Board of Directors for 2No...2023-12-141h 02
Listen Up!A Modest FellowOur host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Von Barnes, the founder of Kentuckiana Backyard Farms
a micro-urban demonstration farm in the Louisville metro area. The duo discuss how to overcome the stigma of farming in Black communities, chicken math, and the politics of urban farming.
Barnes is also a Lead Fellow in the League's Project Kilimo Urban Farming Initiative supporting Black urban farmers in Louisville’s West End community. You can watch his TEDx Talk on Backyard Farming. Barnes also hosts Nerd Nite a monthly event held at Gravely Brewing where three presenters give 15-20 minu...2023-12-0758 min
Listen Up!1000 WordsOur host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor, is joined by Lance Newman II aka Mr SpreadLove. Newman is a poet, visual artist, actor, educator, and playwright. He experienced bullying in his pre-teen years but used his words through poetry to fight back.
The duo discuss how the arts are needed to help Louisville push forward to attract new residents and to keep natives. And how the lack of artistic outlets has played a role in the city's stifled growth.
Check out Newman's solo art exhibition at the Louisville Visual Art Gallery December 1, 2023 through February 3, 2024. Attend the KMAC Poetry...2023-11-301h 02
Listen Up!Future InvestmentsOur host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Ramona Dallum, Community Foundation of Louisville
Vice President of Community Engagement. Dallum is a curious citizen, an artist, and a philanthropist. She grew up in Louisville, graduating from the Dupont Manual High School before striking out to Florida A&M University.
The duo discusses what pushes Louisville's native son's and daughter's away to seek refuge in other cities (Atlanta, Chicago, D.C.), how to grow while maintaining authenticity, and the work of modern philanthropy.2023-11-231h 11
Listen Up!Measuring UpOur host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Ben Johnson Jr, Assistant Director of Recreation for Louisville Parks and Recreation. Johnson shares the vital role parks and recreation play in the community, his love of cooking, and how his time at Florida A&M University helped shape him into the man he is today.
Johnson is committed to serving youth in the community, having previously served as the Assistant Director of Youth Development for Metro Government. He was recently named a BMe Genius Fellow for his service as a mentor to young Black men and innovative...2023-11-161h 19
Listen Up!Making SpaceOur host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Louisville's own Poet Laureate, Hannah Drake. Hannah is an author, spoken word artist, and activist who gained national attention in 2019 when her poem "All You Had to Do Was Play the Game, Boy" was shared by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in his public protest of police brutality against Black men and women.
The duo discuss the work of fighting racism, voter apathy, and the long-term commitment that must be made for justice. Hannah also leads The (Un)Known Project whose goal is to exhume the names an...2023-11-091h 09
Listen Up!Shifting SandOur host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Amber Duke, Executive Director of ACLU of Kentucky. The pair discuss strong leadership, mis- and disinformation, smart justice, and the struggle for civil rights in Kentucky.
Amber Duke has spent her entire professional career finding ways to get into “good trouble,” by shining a light on systemic inequalities that disproportionality impact Black and other marginalized people. She has been with the ACLU of Kentucky for nearly 10 years and is the first Black woman to lead the ACLU of Kentucky in its 67-year history.2023-11-021h 08
Listen Up!Journey to ManhoodThis episode features a guest special to the Louisville Urban League. Over four years ago, Courtney Robinson came to the LUL seeking record expungement services. An old criminal infraction limited his employment choices resulting in a string of dead-end jobs. Robinson met with a Workforce Development Specialist who encouraged him to enter the Kentuckiana Builds program. He reluctantly agreed and his life was changed over the six-week course.
Robinson joined Messer Construction in 2019 as a Carpenter Apprentice and is now the Urban Workforce Development Initiative (UWDI) Specialist. He works as a liaison between Messer Construction Company and...2023-10-2636 min
Listen Up!Enriched HumanityOur host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Rev Dr Corrie Shull, Pastor of Burnett Avenue Baptist Church and JCPS District 6 Board Member. Shull speaks on his education as a proud Fisk University alumnus, the joy of learning, and how so many of society's problems are thrust upon education.
Shull is a lifelong champion of public education, and his record of community service underscores his advocacy for a strong, diverse, progressive JCPS system. He created and led the Teen Summit Enrichment Program, which offers a mix of academic instruction and cultural enrichment. 2023-10-1957 min
Listen Up!Lightning Strikes TwiceOur host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Tim Findley Jr, Pastor of Kingdom Fellowship Christian Life Center, (the first Black) Executive Director of Elderserve, and proud son of the Newburg neighborhood. The duo speaks on the tribal nature of Louisville communities, the ethics of the Black church, and why Black seniors are the most marginalized group in America.
Elder Serve proudly serves older adults in Louisville’s West End and provides essential community services to those in need. ElderServe’s Senior Center provides a safe, social, and enriching atmosphere for local seniors to reduce feelings of is...2023-10-121h 14
Listen Up!Neighborhood WarsOur host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Stachelle Bussey, Executive Director of The Hope Buss. Bussey, a self-proclaimed proud West End-ian, speaks on growing up in the West End, the evolution of Louisville, the segregation of neighborhoods, and bottom-up solutions.
The Hope Buss works to bridge the gap between local organizations and the needs of residents. The organization strives to turn the needs of the community into strengths, believing that the work we begin will result in sustainable resources from which the community can eventually thrive with the ultimate goal of alleviating poverty. t...2023-10-051h 23
Listen Up!By No Traditional MeansHost Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Dr. Bria Henson, Executive Director of the Health Career Lab. Dr Henson speaks candidly on her non-traditional path including starting and dropping out of university, her military career, and crafting her own vision of working in the healthcare industry.
The League partnered with the Health Career Lab to address the shortage of healthcare workers and provide job seekers with a
comprehensive introduction to the healthcare industry. For more information visit their website or call 502-242-8764.2023-09-2854 min
Listen Up!More AccessOur host, LUL Interim President & CEO Lyndon Pryor is joined by Councilman Jecorey Arthur. Jecorey shares his journey from a kid in the Parkland neighborhood who loved music to being a member of the Louisville Metro Council representing District 4. Arthur talks about turning stories of shame into action, the challenges of the position, and how music influenced his life.
Arthur is a classically trained percussionist and hip-hop artist. He is a professor of music and sociology at Simmons College of Kentucky and an artist roster member of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN).2023-09-221h 25
Listen Up!Cooperative OwnershipOur host, LUL Interim President & CEO Lyndon Pryor is joined by Josh Poe of the Louisville Tenants Union. The duo talks about fair housing, the tenants' rights movement, government responsibility, and grassroots advocacy. Poe talks about how the dichotomy of NIMBY vs. YIMBY is really a smokescreen for real progress.
Poe has over 20 years of experience with tenant organizing and housing policy. His research and organizing are focused on building powerful, multiracial bases of tenants in the Southern US. He is also the co-founder of the Root Cause Research Center, which helps build structured tenant-led campaigns and...2023-09-1453 min
Listen Up!Intersecting JusticeOur host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor welcomes Keturah Herron, KY State Representative for District 42. The duo discuss grassroots activism, progressive youth-positive legislation, and the real work behind the curtain as a state legislator.
Herron's organic rise from community activist to state representative earned her the title of Women of the Year in 2022 by USA Today. Known for her work in Juvenile Justice, Herron is heralded for the passing of Breonna's Law banning no-knock warrants in the city of Louisville. 2023-09-0758 min
Listen Up!Repetitive ActionsOur host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Ayisha Hayes Taylor, Director of the Wellington Kumon Learning Center. In support of our Education and Black Entrepreneurship work, the League partnered with Hayes Taylor to open a new Kumon Learning Center in a highly impacted community.
Kumon Learning Centers have a long, evidenced-based history of helping students excel, but not every child has the means to participate. In 2022, in an effort to close the opportunity gap, LUL began offering intensive tutoring at centers around the city. These services are available to JCPS students K-12 at...2023-08-311h 17
Listen Up!Advocates, Not AdversariesOur host LUL Interim President & CEO Lyndon Pryor addresses recent hot topics surrounding the start, stop, and restart of the JCPS 2023-24 school year, the bussing fiasco that had children arriving home at 10 pm, and the the district's response. Pryor also announces the launch of the Urban League's Urban Farming Initiative: Project Kilimo.
2023-08-2443 min
Listen Up!Room for ImprovementWe are back from our hiatus with host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, who is joined by Dr Cynthia Bethel Hines. Bethel Hines is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Shawnee Christian Healthcare Center, an Associate Professor at the University of Louisville, and President of the Louisville Coalition for Black Maternal Health.
The duo talks about the dangers of maternal health locally and nationally, and how often a birthing person's concerns are dismissed by healthcare professionals. The LCBM mission is to support Black birthing persons, promote health equity, and improve maternal outcomes. The group's annual Chocolate Milk...2023-08-1756 min
Listen Up!The Hope EpisodeThis week's episode of Listen Up! is a change from our normal formula. Our show Producer Cherilyn Martin, LUL Marketing Manager, revisits previous episodes where our guests discuss their hopes for the city of Louisville. Our aim is to inspire you, the listener, to think about your hopes for Louisville and be empowered to make the change.
"We choose hope over fear. We see the future not as something out of our control, but as something we can shape for the better." President Obama2023-08-0329 min
Listen Up!Strong DissentInterim President & CEO Lyndon Pryor covers recent news stories including the Supreme Court decision to end Affirmative Action in college admissions and the selection of Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel.
2023-07-2755 min
Listen Up!Run the NumbersHost Lyndon Pryor the Interim LUL President & CEO is joined by Kamari Wooten a member of the University of Louisville Athletics staff. Wooten shares his path from growing up in Detroit, playing college-level basketball at Kentucky State University, and working in university academics.
Wooten is the local coordinator for the African American Male Wellness Agency. There, he is responsible for the Annual Male Wellness 5k Walk where they provide free health screenings to black males. He serves as a mental wellness advocate by facilitating monthly sessions for black men in a program called Real Men Real Talk...2023-07-2044 min
Listen Up!Messy WorkOur host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor welcomes Dr Eddie Woods of No More Red Dots a violence interruption program working to end gun violence and recidivism. Dr Woods is an O.G. and respected community member who has dedicated himself to getting ahead of the problem of community violence. His non-traditional methods of intervention allow him and his team to provide real "community policing". Dr Woods shares his background from being a kid in the California neighborhood to going off the college with "$75, a pack of cards, and a pair of dice."2023-07-131h 04
Listen Up!Bought & Deeded
Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Kevin Dunlap, Executive Director of REBOUND Inc. REBOUND, Rebuilding Our Neighborhood Dwellings, was created to increase community development and neighborhood revitalization in West Louisville. Dunlap, a West Louisville native shares his history in the housing industry and with the Louisville Urban League. The duo discuss what is affordable housing, the challenges of urban development including AMI, scattered lots, and building without debt.
2023-07-061h 06
Listen Up!The Bare MinimumOur host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor welcomes Kendall Boyd an HR and DEI Professional with Louisville Water Company. Boyd shares his diverse employment background as a Prosecutor in Terre Haute, IN; an Assistant County Attorney for Jefferson County, KY; Chief Equity Officer for Louisville Metro; and now as the Employee Relations Manager for Louisville Water Company. He confesses his hopes for Louisville including eliminating the 9th Street divide and how businesses can use Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as a starting point to do more for the community. 2023-06-2958 min
Listen Up!Community TraumaInterim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by licensed mental health therapist Elishia Durrett-Johnson of Begin to Talk, LLC. Nicknamed the Community Therapist, Durrett-Johnson is a community partner with the League providing mental health education through A Path Forward. She shares how traumatic events can indirectly and directly affect our well-being and how Black people experience life differently by looking through the lens of trauma. Durrett-Johnson raps about her personal experiences coping with the loss of loved ones and how moving forward looks different. Our duo discusses the contrast between surviving versus living and how we are conditioned...2023-06-221h 14
Listen Up!The Obama of CPAsInterim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by LUL CFO, Anthony Leachman to discuss his history with civil rights activism, the science of money and finance, and his unorthodox path from a kid in Owensboro, KY to Assitant State Auditor. Leachman also shares his experience as being the 44th Black CPA in the Commonwealth and many times the first and only Black accountant in the workplace.
Anthony Leachman is the spouse of LUL Housing Director, Nichole Leachman who was featured on Episode 8 Sometimes the Ends Don't Meet.
2023-06-151h 13
Listen Up!It's About Black PeopleOur host Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor welcomes Dr. Ricky Jones former Chair of the UofL Pan-African Studies department. Jones divulges his reasons for stepping away from the Dept Chair position and announces his new role with the UofL Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute as the Baldwin-King Scholar-in-Residence. In what is our longest interview to date, Pryor and Jones volley over political discourse, the future of Black Louisville (and Kentucky), and the rise of anti-intellectualism. Jones speaks freely on why he believes Louisville is at a political apex and in danger of losing its position as Kentucky's last...2023-06-081h 11Listen Up!Something Else BrewingInterim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Latoya Cook-Bradley owner of Brew & Sip Coffee Bar and Flavorfull Catering. Cook-Bradley shares her professional path and how she snuck into the food industry despite being discouraged by her family. She provides an honest opinion on what it takes to be an entrepreneur, her successes and failures, and why she feels there is room for many in this space. Cook-Bradley along with her husband Alphonza Bradley opened Brew & Sip in 2020 to serve as a safe space for the community to gather. Since then they have opened a second location and...2023-06-0139 min
Listen Up!Oprah Level Care
Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Dr Tamea Evans and Nick Judd of CenterWell Primary Care. The trio talks about health disparities in the Black community, wellness, and the new CenterWell facility being constructed on the site of the Louisville Urban League Sports & Learning Campus on W Market Street. CenterWell has a temporary trailer located in the parking lot behind the League's corporate office at 1535 W Broadway that is open and accepting new patients. For more information on the facility, how to schedule an appointment, or Medicare coverage call (502) 801-9502 or visit http://seniorfocusedkentucky.com
2023-05-2555 min
Listen Up!No Stranger to the WorkInterim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Daryle Unseld Jr., President and CEO of The Boys & Girls Club of Kentuckiana. Unseld shares his career path from serving in the US Air Force to his current position with the Boys & Girls Club and the reason why he is so passionate about creating safe spaces for youth in Louisville.
2023-05-1843 min
Listen Up!Making Informed DecisionsLUL Interim President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined again by LUL Director of Policy, Felicia Nu'Man to discuss Kentucky's upcoming primary election, why this election matters, and why your vote is more powerful than you think. The Kentucky Primary Election date is Tuesday 5/16/23. Find more information.
2023-05-1141 min
Listen Up!Lighten the LoadInterim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by members of the LUL Health Navigators team Heaven Guinn and Melvin BJ Boyd, along with Health Director, Angela Wilson to discuss health services and how the league partners with other community agencies to provide solutions for problems like homelessness, mental health, rental assistance, and job training. The team shares their experiences with dealing with someone in crisis, leading with empathy, and why they do the work.
For more information on the Center for Housing and Financial Empowerment visit https://lul.org/health
2023-05-041h 04
Listen Up!Letting Go of the ReinsInterim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Cassandra Webb, Director of Innovation and Research at Cities United. Lyndon and Cassandra discuss economic justice for Louisville's West End, the hurdles of development, and what legacy building means. Cassandra is a Millennial on the move creating the Young Leadership Fellowship in 2018, becoming Director of Russell: A Place of Promise in 2019, and being named one of Louisville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 in 2020. Cassandra truly has a heart for Louisville, specifically for young adults, and is resolute in creating safe spaces and opportunities.
2023-04-271h 09
Listen Up!Bad Things, Not Bad People
Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Honorable Brian Edwards, Circuit Court Judge Division 11 (and also Louisville Urban League Board Member). Judge Edwards shares his professional history from his early years as a public defender, to over a decade in private practice as a criminal defense attorney, and his appointment to circuit court judge in 2009. When he's not serving in a judicial capacity, Judge Edwards can be found on the soccer field as one of the co-Directors and Founders of the West Louisville Soccer Club. Pryor and Edwards breach the subjects of education and the current legislative...2023-04-2053 min
Listen Up!Swim Or DrownInterim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Savvy Shabazz, founder and CEO of Life Coach Each One Teach One REentry Fellowship. Shabazz shared his trials and tribulations as a formerly incarcerated person including his struggles to find meaningful work, housing, and campaigning for a pardon from the Governor to have his voting rights restored. But it isn't enough for Shabazz to make it, he is motivated to reach back and help others who are formerly incarcerated persons and give them a hand in navigating life after incarceration.
For more information on the organization Life Coach...2023-04-1356 min
Listen Up!Sometimes the Ends Don't Meet
Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by LUL Housing Director, Nichole Leachman to discuss housing and financial counseling services and the League's long history of assisting home ownership as the oldest HUD-certified counseling agency in the state of Kentucky. Nicole also shares her own personal struggles with housing instability as a youth and how it lead her to this career. Lyndon reveals the truth about his favorite employees.
For more information on the Center for Housing and Financial Empowerment visit https://lul.org/housing
2023-04-0632 min
Listen Up!We Don't Need Another Study
Interim LUL President & CEO, Lyndon Pryor is joined by AMPED President & CEO, Dave Christopher to discuss the Russell Technology Business incubator, the creation of A Path Forward, and the future Innovation Center. Dave also talks about his musical abilities and how he stumbled into the non-profit sector.
References:
Amped Louisville https://ampedlouisville.org/
A Path Forward https://apathforward4lou.org/
David McAtee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_David_McAtee
2023-03-3056 min
Listen Up!We're Building A Spaceship
Former Louisville Urban League (LUL) Chief Engagement Officer, Lyndon Pryor discusses recent changes to leadership at the LUL including his new appointment as Interim President & CEO, what these changes mean to the organization, and what are our next steps. Pryor also shares a bit of his background from a kid growing up in Houston, TX to the present.
2023-03-2332 min
Listen Up!It Takes Money to Make MoneyLouisville Urban League Chief Engagement Officer, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Cynthia Brown, the League's Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, to discuss innovations around Black businesses and the work the Path Forward in that space. Cynthia talks about how she leverages her unique background and skill set to advance equitable opportunities on behalf of Black entrepreneurs to ensure that they have strong, stable, and sustainable business futures. To learn more about the Center for Entrepreneurship, visit https://lul.org/blackbusiness2023-03-1639 min
Listen Up!How We Do the WorkLouisville Urban League Chief Engagement Officer, Lyndon Pryor is joined by Cities United Executive Director and Louisville native, Anthony Smith, to discuss his journey into the work of organizing and community building. Anthony also discusses his work in disrupting systems and cycles of violence in communities across the country and together, Anthony and Lyndon examine the hurdles that exist in getting Louisville to a more equitable place.
References:
March 8, 2023, DOJ findings: https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/file/1572951/download
October 25, 2012, Violence Prevention Work Group Report: https://www.scribd.com/document/111135795/Violence-Prevention-Work-Group-Report-10-25-12-FINAL#
2023-03-0951 min
Listen Up!Listen to the Kids!Over the past 3 years, there have been a number of hot-button topics to rise to the forefront of the education conversation in Louisville and Kentucky. From masks to guns, to identity; opinions on what is best for students have come from lots of people, but not too many students. In this episode of Listen Up! LUL Chief Engagement Officer, Lyndon Pryor is joined by JCPS students, Mort and Jaylin to discuss their perspectives and feelings on some of the issues swirling around education in Louisville and the Commonwealth. Be advised, this episode does include at least one hard word. 2023-03-0240 min
Listen Up!Felicia Nu'Man and the Craziness of Education Policy in KYLUL Chief Engagement Officer, Lyndon Pryor is joined by LUL Director of Policy, Felicia Nu'Man to discuss some of the legislation being proposed in the Kentucky General Assembly, the potential impact on the community, and why finding common ground is so important. 2023-02-2331 min
Listen Up!Debut Episode - Guns in SchoolsLouisville Urban League (LUL) Chief Engagement Officer, Lyndon Pryor is joined by LUL President and CEO, Dr. Kish Cumi Price to discuss issues growing out of a recent rise in guns being found on local school campuses and how the community can address such issues with care, equity, and intentionality without criminalizing and further harming impacted students. 2023-02-1728 min