New Leaders Council Kentucky

06/08/2026

Our 2026 Fellows, Morgan Jones and Kyle May, are featured on The Deep End, a Medialex conversation series exploring mental health topics within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Their thoughtful discussion is available on the following platforms:
🟣MEDIALEX: https://medialex.us/shows/the-deep-end/
🟠SoundCloud : https://soundcloud.com/radiolex/sets/the-deep-end-2026

Want to learn more about the impact Morgan, Kyle, and our other Fellows are making? Join us for their New Leaders Council graduation ceremony on June 13 at WUKY radio station from 12 PM to 4 PM.

More graduation information: https://www.facebook.com/share/18v4ySdDc5/

06/08/2026

06/05/2026

Our May Institute Weekend included more than capstone presentations and inspiring guest speakers.

Our Co-Director, Andi Dahmer, organized a team scavenger hunt throughout Covington for our Fellows. They explored the city in search of rainbows, dragons, flags, and even special guest star Missy Spears of Q***r Kentucky! Congratulations to team members Chelsea Kirk, John Bowman, and Morgan Jones on the win!

Fellows also visited the Covunity Fridge, a New Leaders Council capstone project created by Missy Spears (Class of 2022). This community-powered initiative provides free food and pantry staples to anyone in need.

06/04/2026

Congratulations to our 2024 alum, Ahmed Farah, on being named Assistant Director at Central Louisville Community Ministries, Inc.! 🎉

Central Louisville Community Ministries is pleased to announce that, at the Board's request as part of our Strategic Plan, we have hired an Assistant Director. Ahmed Farah was the unanimous choice of the hiring committee and begins in this new role June 1.

Ahmed is a nonprofit and community leader with experience in operations, program management, volunteer engagement, and community-based services. As a former refugee and immigrant, his lived experiences have shaped his commitment to equity, access, and strengthening support systems for underserved communities. He previously served as Co-Founder and Executive Director of ASILI Center and as Immigrant and Refugee Programs Manager at the Louisville Free Public Library. Ahmed earned his Bachelor's and Master's of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville. Ahmed is passionate about strengthening systems, supporting staff and volunteers, and building responsive, trauma-informed organizations that remain deeply connected to the communities they serve.

Please join us in welcoming Ahmed to the CLCM team!

06/03/2026

Congratulations to our current Fellow, Basel Touchan, and our alum, Nicole Aghaaliandastjerdi, on being selected as Spark!Talk speakers at the 2026 New Leaders Council Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, from July 16-19!

Interested in attending? Register and hear Basel, Nicole, and many other inspiring leaders: https://www.newleaderscouncil.org/convention/

The 2026 Spark!Talks are here.

8 leaders. 8 ideas. One room. This July, some of the sharpest minds in the NLC network take the stage in Louisville to challenge how we think about power, voice, identity, democracy, and resilience.

Clyanna Lightbourn (NLC Capital District NY 2020). Edgar Villaseñor (NLC South Texas Frontera 2024). Lem Cartman (NLC Detroit 2025). Dr. Basel Touchan (NLC Kentucky 2026). Michalina Kulesza (NLC Capital District NY 2021). Nicole Aghaaliandastjerdi (NLC Kentucky 2014). Tamira Samuel (NLC Houston 2021). Kamye Hugley (NLC Broward County 2018).

You don't want to miss this. Register now at newleaderscouncil.org/convention.

Alt text: Group graphic featuring eight Spark!Talk speakers against a Louisville skyline background. Text reads: 8 Spark!Talks. 8 Leaders. 8 Ideas. One Room. newleaderscouncil.org/convention. Louisville, KY. July 16-19, 2026. 2026 NLC Convention, Celebrating 20 Years of Power, Built Together. New Leaders Council logo and 20th anniversary badge in the top corners.

06/02/2026

Covington and Capstones! ✨

This past weekend, our 2026 Fellows gathered in Covington for their May Institute Weekend at the Kenton County Public Library (Covington Branch) and the Hellmann Creative Center. Our themes for the weekend focused on finding a seat at the table and strengthening civic engagement.

We were grateful to learn from our alumni:
🔴 Gordon Henry and his work in housing policy throughout the region.
🔵 Jason Worms and his advocacy with Kentuckians For The Commonwealth.
🟣 Missy Spears and her work building organizations like Q***r Kentucky.

Congratulations to our Fellows on presenting their capstone projects, each highlighting pathways to social change, community empowerment, and meaningful transformation. 👏

A special thank-you to Jason Worms for sponsoring lunch on both days of the Institute Weekend! 🍽️

Stay tuned for our next post featuring a citywide scavenger hunt and a visit to the Covunity Fridge. More to come! 🚀

06/02/2026

Our 2026 Fellows Kyle May and Morgan Jones are featured on The Deep End, a special Medialex conversation exploring complex mental health topics in the LGBTQIA+ community. 🌈

Tune in to WLXU 93.9 FM at 7:00 PM EST on June 2 (tonight) and June 3 (tomorrow) to hear their perspectives alongside other community leaders and advocates.

See the post below for more details.

MEDIALEX presents The Deep End: a special two-part conversation about complex mental health topics in the LGBTQ+ experience. WLXU 93.9FM Tue Jun 2 & Wed Jun 3 @ 7PM. Made possible through a grant from JustFundKY

Episode 1: MONEY, WEALTH, RACE & CLASS
Episode 2: SUBSTANCES, SPIRITUALITY & SELF LOVE

Featuring: Kyle May, Open Doors Counseling Center • Corabelle Bundy Jolie, Drag Priestess of Possibility • Wanda McCants, Clinical Director & Therapist • Morgan Jones, VP Lexington Urban League Young Professionals • Emma Curtis, 4th District Councilwoman • Logan Kidwell-Lemons, Woven Church Lex Director • Rev. Rainbow Weldon, Q***r Spirit Collective
with host: Mark Royse

Disclaimer: MEDIALEX is a platform for community-created programming. The views and opinions expressed during this program are solely those of the voices on-air. They do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of MEDIALEX or its board of directors, nor JustFundKY or its board of directors.

05/18/2026

Our Co-Director Abeer Sikder emceed Voices of Hope’s Annual Luncheon last week! He and fellow speakers highlighted the theme “Hope Changes Everything” and its impact on recovery and community. 🎤💚

Our 2026 Fellow Basel Touchan of Global Lexington also attended the luncheon in support! 🌟

Voices Of Hope-Lexington, Inc.

05/13/2026

Congratulations to our 2024 alum, Skylar Davis!

Her organization (and New Leaders Council capstone project), Period Y'all, was recognized by Governor Andy Beshear in his proclamation declaring May 11–17, 2026 as Period Poverty Awareness Week in Kentucky!

We’re proud to see this well-deserved recognition for Skylar’s work championing menstrual equity across Kentucky. Check out this LEX 18 story below to learn more.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed a proclamation declaring this week as Period Poverty Awareness Week in the state, a move advocates say brings long-overdue attention to the issue.

05/07/2026

Check out the latest episode of WUKY’s Lex Talk History podcast featuring our 2026 Fellow, Basel Touchan! 🎙️

Basel discusses his work leading Global Lexington and building stronger global connections right here in Kentucky.

The episode is also available on the following platforms:
🔵Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/iIgjg
🔵National Public Radio (NPR) app: https://shorturl.at/GB5vn
🔵YouTube: http://tiny.cc/p213101

Lex Talk History, the official podcast of the Lexington History Museum, is back with a fresh episode for May. To celebrate the upcoming 'DiverCity' Festival Saturday May 23 at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, Alan and Mandy welcome in Basel Touchan of Global Lexington, the city's internation...