Hometown Heroes banners coming back in Louisville, with Jack Harlow among 2023 headliners

After a nearly five-year hiatus and relaunch in late June, the Hometown Heroes project is set to introduce Louisville residents its "Class of 2023" with new banners all over the city.

Hometown Heroes is adding several new faces to its collection of banners featuring famous Louisville residents. The project from the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation was started in 2001 but had been paused in recent years, with organizers relaunching the project earlier this year. There are currently 31 banners adorning buildings throughout the city.

This year's honorees include Jack Harlow, whose music career has taken off in recent years, along with University of Louisville men's basketball icon Wes Unseld. Six people with deep ties to the city are set to be recognized.

“The 'Class of 2023' is nationally, and in some cases internationally, recognized for achieving remarkable success in their respective fields and for their pride in being from Louisville," Hilt said in a release. "The first Hometown Heroes 2.0 'Class of 2023' has collectively made a lasting positive impact on the Louisville community through generous donations of time, talent and treasure."

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An advisory board voted on 29 submissions from the community and landed on six new faces to join the ranks of Louisville greats like actor Jennifer Lawrence, boxer Muhammad Ali, baseball legend Pee Wee Reese and Enid Yandell, a sculptor who designed the Daniel Boone statue near Cherokee Park.

Here's a look at the latest Hometown Heroes class:

Jack Harlow

A rapper, three-time Emmy award winner and philanthropist, Harlow needs no introduction to many Derby City residents. He released his sophomore album, “Come Home the Kids Miss You," earlier this year, landed his first solo debut #1 Billboard Hot 100 single chart, hosted Saturday Night Live last month and recently announced a KFC Yum Center arena show, "which sold out in minutes," Hilt said. The rapper has contributed to local organizations like AMPED, the Center for Women and Families, Grace James Academy, Louisville Urban League and Metro United Way, the release noted.

Justin Thomas

A professional golfer from the Louisville area, Thomas plays on the PGA Tour and is was at one point ranked No. 1 in the world. At 29, he is still one of the world's best golfers, Hilt said. Thomas has 15 PGA wins under his belt, including the FedEx Cup Championship and two majors, with wins at the PGA Championship in 2017 and 2022. The Justin Thomas Foundation also assists children in need, impacts junior golf and military families "with the intent of helping all achieve their full potential," the release said. He was recognized by ESPN over the summer with an ESPY award for Best Athlete, Men's Golf.

Related:5 things to know about PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas

Lionel Hampton (1908-2002)

Here's one for the jazz aficionados. Hampton was an internationally known jazz musician who helped integrate the jazz scene, Hilt said. He worked with musicians like Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman and Buddy Rich to Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus and Quincy Jones.

John Asher (1955-2018)

Asher is originally from Louisville and served as the Vice President of Racing Communications for Churchill Downs. Asher also became a well-recognized voice for his knowledge and passion of the Derby via his time as a former broadcaster and role as Ambassador of the Kentucky Derby, Hilt said. Asher died in 2018 and is now recognized with a statue at the racetrack.

David Jones, Sr. (1932-2019)

Originally from the West End of Louisville, Jones co-founded Humana, a corporate insurance giant. Jones served as Human's chief executive officer for almost four decades, Hilt said. Because of Jones' leadership, Humana became one of nation's leading health insurance providers and is the largest Louisville-based company. Jones died in 2019.

Wes Unseld (1946-2020)

Lifetime Louisville Cardinal and first-round NBA draft pick, Unseld made an impact with his athletic talent. Unseld was made the NBA's Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year in 1969, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only two players to ever accomplish this feat, Hilt said. Unseld led the Baltimore Bullets to a championship in 1978 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988 and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. He played at the University of Louisville from 1965 to 1968. Unseld died in 2020.

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"The 'Class of 2023' will also include a posthumous award of official Hometown Hero to Kent Taylor, founder and CEO of Texas Roadhouse who passed away in 2021," Hilt said. "In addition, GLPF will continue pursuing funding and placement for the previously approved and announced Julius Friedman and 'Louisville Rocks' banners from the original program."

The release did not say when the new banners will be hung, though it noted some banners "may be retired to make room for another, but the heroes we honor will always be part of any new and creative expression of the program."

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct Julius Friedman's name.

Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Hometown Heroes banners announces 2023 class with big names