The Kentucky desert and flipping the script in Virginia

At A Glance is a bi-weekly news recap highlighting WKKF grantees, investments, communities and partnerships.

In mid-June, as Virginia students exited the classrooms, teachers, coaches and librarians from across the state took their place – as students rather than teachers. The Virginia Humanities Changing the Narrative project is gathering educators in Charlottesville to learn how to address racial bias in the classroom. “We understand the challenge ahead of us in doing this work. We want to create a space for honoring and respecting differences while rejecting divisiveness,” said Virginia Humanities’ executive director Matthew Gibson. Funded by WKKF, this program aims to bring Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation to a state in need. 

Leadership in Albuquerque, NM is making news by doubling down on what’s right in the their community! Thanks in part to a grant from WKKF, PolicyLink and the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity compiled a report examining the city of Albuquerque and found the strengths and areas of opportunity – practical possibilities for the city to build equitable growth and a stronger economy. This week, local leaders, including Mayor Tim Keller, announced a joint commitment to end the cycle of poverty in Albuquerque and tackle racial and economic equity challenges head on.

The American Library Association created The Great Stories Club: Reading and Discussion for At-Risk Youth to engage young adults in transformative, humanities-based reading and discussion programs at 150 libraries across the nation. In North Carolina, Wayne County Public library and a local high school were selected to participate in the program. These literature-based library outreach programs look at the historic and contemporary effects of racism through literature and draw students into the process of racial healing. Every library’s program will look and feel different because it’s developed to connect with students in a distinct community. We’re thrilled to see communities digging in.

Almost half of Kentucky is considered a “child care desert”, according to the Center for American Progress … a place where high-quality childcare options are few and far between, with negative impacts on the economy, education outcomes and the health of children. Enter the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. With a $1.2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, their aim is to increase access to and quality of Kentucky’s early childhood system for infants and toddlers, especially those in underserved areas of Kentucky. We’re looking forward to seeing research, pilot programs and lasting solutions for Kentucky families!