How Focus Louisville Helped Me Reconnect With Louisville (and Myself)
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I’ve lived in Louisville for most of my life, yet somehow I learned more about this city in 2½ days at Focus Louisville than I did in two decades of growing up here.
I didn’t expect that. But maybe that’s exactly why Leadership Louisville Center calls themselves
“The Epicenter of AHA™.” Because that’s what it becomes: a space where perspective shifts,
lightbulbs go on, and understanding deepens in ways you didn’t know you were missing.
And while that phrase isn’t specific to the Focus Louisville program, this experience is where
many of those first AHA moments can happen.
After years of remote work, career shifts, personal transitions, and the lingering emotional fog
of COVID’s disruption, I hadn’t realized how disconnected I’d become — from people, from place,
and honestly, from myself.
Focus Louisville became the catalyst I didn’t know I needed: a reintroduction, a reset, and a
reminder of what feeling connected to your larger community actually feels like.
Seeing Louisville Through a Wider Lens
One of my first AHA moments came during a walking tour with Louisville historian
Dr. Tom Owen. He shared the city’s history in a way that felt honest and grounded,
recognizing the past decisions that shaped neighborhoods and still influence people’s lives today.
Learning about Louisville’s history — including redlining and its long-term ripple effects —
helped me see how many different realities exist within one city.
“The more context I have, the better neighbor I can be.”
It wasn’t about feeling bad for what I didn’t know; it was about being reminded how important it
is to keep learning and getting out of the bubbles we can so easily settle into.
A Peek Behind the Curtain: The People Moving Louisville Forward
Another powerful part of the experience was hearing from leaders across government, public safety,
JCPS, economic development, arts and culture, and the nonprofit sector.
These weren’t polished presentations. They were honest discussions about complexity,
responsibility, and the realities of community leadership.
“Nothing is as straightforward as it seems, and nothing happens in isolation.”
What stood out most was their genuine passion for Louisville — and the deep care they hold for
the people who live here.
Grace James Academy: An Experience That Stayed With Me
One of the most meaningful moments was visiting Grace James Academy, an all-girls,
STEAM-focused JCPS school centered on access, equity, and opportunity.
The students led tours, spoke with confidence, and practiced taking up space. Their curiosity
and joy were contagious.
“It made me imagine what our world could look like if every child had access to an environment like this.”
I was so inspired that I signed up to become a mentor — and I’m genuinely excited to support
these incredible young women.
Finding My Way Back Into Real-Life Community
Another unexpected gift of Focus Louisville was simply being in a room with nearly 50 leaders
from different backgrounds, industries, and lived experiences.
After years of remote work and returning to Louisville after almost 20 years away, I didn’t
realize how much I needed to reconnect to a shared mission — in person.
The Ripple Effect of AHA Moments
- Every conversation
- Every site visit
- Every story
- Every perspective
Each one shifted something in me, reminding me that belonging is not something that just happens.
It’s something we create — through curiosity, vulnerability, and choice.
This experience re-rooted me in my sense of belonging — both in Louisville and in myself.
And I’m forever grateful for the opportunity.
Our future depends on leaders who know Louisville. Get started with Focus Louisville today:
Register for the next Focus Louisville session
Know someone who should be part of the next class?
Want to send multiple employees from your organization?
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For more information, visit www.LeadershipLouisville.org/Focus-Louisville. External Link. Opens in new window..