Kevin Fields has fond memories of his years growing up in Louisville’s Russell neighborhood.

Families in the predominately Black neighborhood didn’t have much money, he recalled, but it was a close-knit community all the same, where kids merrily roamed on foot between local community centers, shops and a local YMCA.

But the Russell neighborhood fell on hard times after Fields came of age. Businesses moved out. Families with the means fled for the suburbs. And those who stayed behind were left to face the consequences of what happens to a community when nearly half its properties are razed or abandoned.

“One of the things that drives me is I’m concerned about what happens to families that are struggling due to poverty, inadequate training or skills, and a lack of employment opportunities,” Fields said. “We see these problems manifest in a lot of ways – homelessness, drug abuse, violence – and they take a community in the wrong direction.”

As president and CEO of Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc., which runs a variety of programs and services for local children and families, Fields has devoted much of his life to helping solve these problems. And one of his partners in his quest to make Russell a better place to live, he said, has been KET.

When I look at KET, I see that we share a lot in common: we’re both concerned about what goes on in the heart of our communities.

Kevin Fields, president and CEO, Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc.

“Among the things I appreciate about KET is that it concerns itself with what happens in marginalized communities – not just in inner cities but in rural settings, too,” Fields said. “And it does it with great journalism. KET goes deep and seeks to discover the root causes of issues, and then it educates the public and inspires decision makers to come together to address those issues effectively.”

Last year, the LCCC awarded its highest leadership honor to Renee Shaw, KET’s director of public affairs, who, Fields said, “regularly challenges the status quo and raises critical questions that are near and dear to marginalized communities across Kentucky.”

The LCCC likewise has reached out to KET to help with its educational efforts in support of Russell’s youngest generation – its children. The organization operates an early childhood development center and hosts an annual kindergarten readiness summit, bringing together families and community leaders to underscore the need of preparing a child for school. And KET resources for new parents and caregivers, Fields said, have complemented their efforts.

“I love that KET has an affinity for early childhood education,” Fields said. “Because when we looked at what initiatives were going to have the biggest long-range impact, we were sold on the idea that it starts with our youngest children. Why not make this a place where kids can grow up and have a great childhood experience that will help them want to stay?”

Additionally, the LCCC has brought in KET to help teach media production to the teens in the organization’s afterschool programs, which focus on leadership skills, the arts and other STEAM-related subjects.

“We’re always excited to open our doors to KET,” Fields said. “Because when I look at KET, I see that we share a lot in common: we’re both concerned about what goes on in the heart of our communities.”