2ND ANNUAL EVENT IS THIS SATURDAY
March 3, 2022, Louisville, KY. – Students from Jefferson County Public Schools will share their ideas to solve community-wide issues this Saturday at the second annual Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation JusticeFest Presented by Churchill Downs and Humana. The JusticeFest event showcases projects and collaborative work done by JCPS students in 3rd through 12th grades, along with their teachers and coaches. They address many concerns including homelessness, trash disposal, inclusiveness, and historical content from diverse communities.
“It’s incredible to see the work these students are doing to initiate change and make a difference in our community,” said Matt Gibson, KDF President and CEO. “We hope the JusticeFest program helps empower the younger generation and we appreciate so many in the community supporting their efforts.”
JusticeFest is part of an immersive learning program called Justice Now at JCPS. Justice Now was launched in January 2021 and challenges students to make Louisville their classroom and Justice their curriculum. The students focus on 4 key cohorts as part of Justice Now and JusticeFest, which include: Acceptance and Equal Rights for all People; Environmental Justice; Educational Justice; and Community Investment/Disinvestment.
“JusticeFest is like no other gathering in the nation. It’s a student-run program where they are focused on justice, what they’ve learned, and what they want to see changed,” said Dr. John Marshall, Chief Equity Officer for Jefferson County Public Schools. “These students are dedicated to doing something different. It’s our job to support them. It’s our responsibility in the community to listen to the future of our community.”
On Saturday, 21 different student groups will present their concepts to panelists including community and business leaders, as well as teachers, advisers, mentors, and other professionals. The panelists have been chosen based on their expertise and will provide the students with mentorship, insights, and ideas to help further their work.
COVERAGE NOTE: The event will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. It is not open to the public. Media are invited to attend for news coverage or to participate on a panel. To coordinate, please contact Aimee Boyd in the KDF Press Office at (502) 741-7442 or aboyd@kdf.org.
JusticeFest is Presented by Churchill Downs and Humana. Contributing Sponsors: Ford Motor Company and ScionHealth. Official Audio Video Partner: Prestige AV & Creative Services. Official Bank: JPMorgan Chase & Co. The event is produced in partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools and is a Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation event.
About the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation
The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit charity, receives and manages charitable contributions on behalf of the Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., its supporters, and the general public. The Foundation perpetuates the Festival’s impact on the community by developing projects that highlight the Festival’s influence on the area’s cultural heritage. It works to further the Festival’s educational and charitable mission through exhibitions and performances.
