Disasters like the epic tornado that ravaged Western Kentucky this weekend tend to snap us back to reality. We realize anew the untamable power of nature, the fragility of life, and the importance of community. We thank and honor those nonprofit organizations, National Guard troop and gov­ern­mental agencies, and volunteers already active in providing relief in Western Kentucky. Our friends at WFPL and their affiliated Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting have com­piled a helpful, extensive list of ways you can help – whether you want to donate money, donate (urgently needed) blood, donate tangible things, volunteer, or support animals in need. We urge you to get involved at whatever level you can. Be generous.

New cohort of Nonprofit Leaders Advancing Racial Equity
CNPE’s first cohort of nonprofit leaders participating in our Nonprofit Leaders Advancing Racial Equity (NLARE) program met for the first six months of 2021. Participants reported that they found it very valuable in seeing the world differ­ently and leaning into racial equity both personally and with their organi­za­tions.

CNPE has just named the second cohort of NLARE participants, who will begin their own six-month journey next month:

Brett Bachmann, CEO, Heuser Hearing Institute
Steve Cunanan, CEO, American Red Cross, Louisville Area Chapter
Tim Densler, CEO, Impact V
Kathy Dobbins, CEO, Wellspring
Gary Friedman, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana
Natalie Harris, Executive Director, Coalition for the Homeless
Andrew Hawes, President and CEO, The Housing Partnership, Inc.
Jody Heazlitt, President, New Hope Services
Sara Klein Wagner, President and CEO, the Jewish Community of Louisville
Kasey Maier, President and CEO, Waterfront Botanical Gardens
Dan Maloney, Executive Director, Louisville Zoo
Melissa Marvel, CEO, Zoom Group
Raphaela Platow, Executive Director, Speed Art Museum
Lynn Rippy, President and CEO, YouthBuild Louisville
Leslea Townsend Cronin, Executive Director, Coalition for the Homeless, Southern Indiana
Elizabeth Wessels-Martin, President and CEO, Center for Women & Families

Our NLARE program has the potential to change how many nonprofits approach and embrace racial equity. This program is possible only through the generous support of these cor­po­rate sponsors:

Abramson Leadership Exchange Program on Saturday, January 8
Spalding University’s Doctor of Education program, in partnership with Ignite Louisville and the Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL), invite the public to join them from 9 to 11 AM on Saturday, January 8, for a virtual session of the Abramson Leadership Exchange – a series of executive panel discussions moderated by former Mayor Jerry Abramson, who serves as Spal­ding’s Exec­u­tive in Residence.The topic will be LEADERSHIP ENSURING EDUCATION AND TRAINING MEET WORKFORCE DEMANDS, with presentations from K-12 and post-secondary education leaders and successful, innovative business leaders. They will discuss the rapid changes in workforce demands along with the need to modify existing curricula and add new programs to better adapt to evolving work envi­ron­ments. This is a free, public event, but attendees must register here.

Vote for Louisville’s Roots 101 African-American Museum as a top new attraction
One of Louisville’s newest museums, Roots 101 African-American Museum, is in the running to be named by USA TODAY as one of “America’s Best New Attractions” as part of its 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. This award honors new tourist attractions around the United States that have made a significant impact in their first year of oper­ation. (Roots 101 opened last June at 124 N 1st Street in downtown Louisville.)

Currently, Roots 101 is ranked #11 out of 20 and is aiming to re-enter the top 10! You can vote HERE each day this week to help the museum climb in the rankings. Please vote at least once to give this new nonprofit a boost in visibility.

Throughout the year, our community has depended on the essential work done by people like you in the nonprofit sector. Thank you. However you celebrate this season, I hope you can take time to refresh yourself. The coming year promises to be as full of challenges and opportunities as this one. CNPE can help you with planning, fundraising, board engage­ment, govern­ance, and your efforts to advance racial equity. We’re here to help you achieve your mission effectively.

As always,

Ann L. Coffey, CEO