Louisville Story Program

05/14/2026

When you visit Roots101: African American Museum, make sure to look for records and photographs from our "I'm Glad About It" project! We are grateful for the partnership with such a vital member of the Louisville community. Stay tuned for more exciting news about our work together.

05/07/2026

Here are more photographs that community members brought into Nat Brown's studio to be copied. You can message us or comment below if you know anything about the people mentioned or featured in the images. When we can, we want to return these to families.

1) On the back of this photo includes a message: "To Jean, the one that is more than a part of me. The one I love very much. Forever and a day, Louis"
This may be Luis Earl Taylor, spelled as "Louis" in old Defender clippings but "Luis" in obituary. Brought in by Mr. Earl, 2318 Osage Ave, Louisville, KY 40218. He was a drummer who played in Boogie Morton's band for years and was also a member of Fifth Street Baptist Church.

2) Brought in by Floyd Raven from 235 S. 43rd St, Louisville, KY 40212.

3) Brought in by Ingram Cordia at 2318 S. 35th St, Louisville, KY 40211.

04/28/2026

Kenny Luckett of Luckett's Tack Shop is ready for this week's festivities at Churchill Downs. Here he is holding up "Better Lucky Than Good: Tall Tales and Straight Talk from the Backside of the Track," the book that made him an author. You can learn more about Kenny and his work on the back side by getting yourself a copy. Order now before they race off the shelves - again!

You can order online or visit Kenny's shop to purchase from him.

https://shop.louisvillestoryprogram.org/collections/frontpage/products/better-lucky-than-good-tall-tales-from-the-backside-of-the-track

04/22/2026

Thank you to WHAS11 News for highlighting this work! You can learn more in their story, linked below.

The Louisville Story Program is working to preserve historic photos by Nat Brown Sr., hoping to reunite them with families and keep the city's heritage alive.

04/14/2026

Thank you to Actors Theatre of Louisville for creating space for local Peacekeepers during their Storytelling Revolution Festival! Althea Allen Dryden wrote and directed the show, which was narrated by Cities United 's Anthony Smith and featured authors from "You Got To Be of the People: Peacekeepers at the Heart of Public Safety in Louisville." Thank you to authors Dre Watters, Dr. Eddie Woods, Ravon Churchill, Kim Moore, and Kiara James! Also pictured: Anthony Smith (center) and Althea Allen Dryden (third from right). Congratulations to you all for a moving show!

04/08/2026

This Sunday at 2pm, visit Actors Theatre of Louisville for a powerful showcase featuring stories from "You Got To Be of the People: Peacekeepers at the Heart of Public Safety." Tickets here: https://www.actorstheatre.org/events/peacekeepers.

You’re invited to join us for an afternoon of powerful storytelling and reflection at Actors Theatre of Louisville on Sunday, April 12th at 2pm EST.

You Got To Be of the People: Acts at the Heart of the Peacekeepers is inspired by "You Got To Be of the People: Peacekeepers at the Heart of Public Safety in Louisville." This work brings the voices of those on the frontlines of community violence intervention to the center stage. Narrated by Anthony Smith and directed by Althea Allen Dryden.

​As part of the Storytelling Revolution Festival, this unique production blends nonfiction storytelling with live performance, offering an opportunity not only to witness these stories but to engage with them through reflection and dialogue.

The experience will also include a post-show conversation with participants, creating space for deeper connection and understanding. CLICK THE LINK in our bio for your tickets.

CONTENT WARNING: Contains references to gun violence, traumatic events, death, loss, and grief.

03/27/2026

These beautiful photographs were brought to Nat Brown Studio to be copied. We continue to share these in order to show you a glimpse into the digitization efforts happening here at Louisville Story Program and to invite you to share any connections you may have to these images. Whenever we're able to gather more information, we reconnect these photographs with families or descendants. You can message us or comment below.

1) Anne Belle Journey brought in this photograph of two people. At the bottom is the emblem for Evans Photography. The date was 11/2/1971 and the address was 3040 W Woodland Ave.

2) Morris Duke brought this photograph in on 1/13/1981. The address at the time was 2024 St. Xavier St.

3) Josephine Gardner brought this photograph to be copied on 8/13/1974. The address at the time was 2408 Gardner Ave. On the photo, a handwritten note saying, "The sweetest woman I know for a grandmother Mrs. B. Simon."

03/20/2026

Here is another batch of photographs brought to Nat Brown Studio to be copied. As with the previous photographs we have shared, if you know details that may help us connect these images back to the families, please comment or message us. Thank you!

1 - Image of a child. Brought in by Lamarr Johnson, living at 2617 Conestoga Ave at the date listed on the photograph, July 16, 1975.

2 - Image of three people. Son of Marcus Shellman, father of Termaine Shellman. Brought in on July 5, 1990, by Oliver Shellman, living at 2003 Beech St.

3 - Image of one person. Brought in by Penny Moore, living at 766 South Jackson. Date listed is December 15, 1969.

03/18/2026

Look what's back in print, just in time for Derby season!

Thanks to generous support from the Snowy Owl Foundation, "Better Lucky Than Good" is now back in print and available to order. The book has sold out twice, so do not wait to order your copy. Visit shop.louisvillestoryprogram.org.

Winner of the 2019 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, "Better Lucky Than Good: Tall Tales and Straight Talk from the Backside of the Track" is the first-ever book documenting the unique and fascinating world of the backstretch of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, written by the people who work there.

A portion of proceeds will benefit the Backside Learning Center.