How one group is changing the West End
Eight years ago, the Bingham Fellows Class of 2014 had one mission in mind: reviving the West End.
Today, that group of 44 people, ranging in membership from developer Steve Poe to U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker, has already made big changes in Louisville.
Engagement reporter Bailey Loosemore spent several weeks speaking with some of the group's members, who talked about their accomplishments, like revitalizing old, worn-down properties and turning them into new living spaces and hubs for Black-owned businesses.
OneWest, a multi-million dollar nonprofit, was another innovation to come from the class, but some West End residents say the organization's vision for neighborhoods like Russell doesn't necessarily match the wants or needs of the people who live there.
As work continues in the West End, however, the 2014 class is still working to bring change and hopes to work hand-in-hand with residents to improve the area one step at a time.
Some other stories of note this week:
Teachers at Central High School say the air quality in their building is making them and their students sick. Jefferson County Public Schools officials say tests show otherwise.
Metro columnist Joe Gerth took a deep dive into why so many of Louisville's Catholic churches in Black neighborhoods have shut their doors.
A new analysis shows Kentucky has a severe shortage of primary care doctors across the commonwealth ― and millennials are paying the price.
You'll find more stories available only for subscribers listed below. We're still out at the South Central Regional Library in Okolona as part of our Mobile Newsroom initiative, so I hope to see you there before we make the move to Newburg in October. If you can't make it, you can always reach out to me with a story at mirbyjones@courierjournal.com.
As always, thank you for being a subscriber and supporting local journalism in Louisville. You are very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mary Irby-Jones
Executive Editor
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How one group is changing the West End
