Jefferson County | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Chapter: Jefferson County

Public education policy that supports students, caregivers, and educators is a top priority for members at the Jefferson County KFTC chapter. Our members are opposed to any break-up of the Jefferson County Public Schools district, and have heard overwhelmingly from Kentuckians that more funding is the foundation of public education that meets the needs of Kentuckians.

You can join our KFTC Public Education Policy Workteam meetings here.



Since the chapter formed in 1983, we have supported and worked with allies on issues that affect you and me, including affordable housing, police abuse, sweat shops, hazardous waste reduction and recycling. Our doors are open to anyone who wants to fight for justice while building a compassionate, connected, and fun community here in our great city. 

 

Recent Activities

KFTC's statement on immigrants, refugees and Muslims

We the people …

Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC) has a vision of a Kentucky where “discrimination is wiped out of our laws, habits and hearts.” While discrimination already hurts many members of our communities, the current state legislature and our national government are taking aim at some of our most vulnerable neighbors: immigrants, refugees and religious minorities, especially Muslims. As we always have, KFTC is standing up for the targets of discrimination and working hard toward wiping discrimination out of our laws, habits and hearts. 

We voice our solidarity with immigrants, refugees and religious minorities who are coming under increased attack in this current political climate.

Panel encourages courageous solutions to economic issues

University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law featured Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Professor Ariana R. Levinson and Sadiqa Reynolds for a lunch time panel discussion about cooperatives. Dr. Gordon Nembhard is an expert on the history of black-owned cooperatives. Her book, Collective Courage, is a groundbreaking study of the history of African American owned cooperatives. Prof. Levinson is an internationally recognized labor and employment law scholar with a background as a labor lawyer. She has recently published articles on worker and union cooperatives. Sadiqa Reynolds is the first female CEO of the Louisville Urban League. She was previously the Chief for Community Building for Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher. The discussion, with nods to the history of cooperatives, hinged on the possibilities for building a better economy with cooperatives. 

Reflections from a Grassroots Leader

Jefferson County KFTC member Cassia Herron represented the organization at The Rally to Move Forward in Louisville on January 21, 2017 – one of several local marches that took place across the state in solidarity with the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. KFTC organizer Alicia Hurle sat down with Cassia to learn more about her thoughts on leadership development within KFTC and how she approached having the opportunity to speak to such a large audience at what feels like a historically significant moment. Click here to listen to Cassia's speech. 


Why do you identify yourself as a community organizer?

From a grade school student who rallied my peers to challenge our prejudice teacher to a student at the University of Louisville who worked on improving the conditions on campus for students of color, I have always been a community organizer. It has been a natural position for me as my peers and colleagues have looked to me to represent a particular position or idea, to rally others in support of it and move us collectively toward action to remedy it. I have had the opportunity to receive professional organizing training from union organizers and Highlander Center trainers as well as working with Community Farm Alliance and now KFTC. Of course I’m biased, but I feel these are the best organizers in the south and certainly in Kentucky, and I’m proud to be a product of their great work.

3rd Annual Smoketown GetDown for Democracy

This past September saw the of the 3rd Annual Smoketown GetDown for Democracy block party and the community spirit was out in full force.

Solar in Kentucky: opportunities to learn and lend support

Kentuckians want more and better energy options, and we are especially interested in seeing more locally and community owned solar projects. That was the overwhelming message KFTC heard when we asked more than 1,000 people across the state to share their vision for Kentucky's energy future. 

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Chapter Feature:

Regular Meetings:

Jefferson County KFTC office
786 Shelby Street
Louisville, KY 40203
Monthly Chapter Meeting

Our chapter meetings are held in person on the 2nd Monday of the month, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public. Anyone is welcome to participate. RSVP here!

Chapter Organizer:

Bonifacio Aleman
786 Shelby Street
Louisville, KY 40203