KCAAH unveils a portrait of the man behind the name of Louisville’s only HBCU

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Unveiling of the William J. Simmons Portrait

at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage

The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage (Heritage Center), in partnership with Simmons College of Kentucky, invites the press and public to the unveiling of the William J. Simmons portrait on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 10 a.m. at 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, Kentucky. Simmons’ portrait will be a permanent installation joining other life-sized portraits in the Heritage Center’s Brown-Forman Great Hall Gallery, depicting African American leaders in the arts, civil rights, education, innovation, media, military, and sports. 

Dr. Rev. William J. Simmons (June 29, 1849 – October 30, 1890) went from enslavement to becoming Simmons College of Kentucky’s second president from 1880–1890, for whom the school was eventually named. Simmons College was the first school for higher education established for African Americans in Kentucky. The college was the vision of 12 formerly enslaved Africans who were members of the General Association of Baptists within the state. Their tenacity was fueled by their understanding of the importance of education for the sons and daughters who were formerly enslaved. 

Simmons developed multiple programs, including the teacher education program and one of the few Black medical schools at a Black college. Additionally, Simmons produced Kentucky’s first black medical doctor, Artishia Gilbert. In addition, he was a writer, journalist, and educator. In 1886 he became President of the American National Baptist Convention, one of the organizations that would merge to form the National Baptist Convention, USA. He was elected President of the Colored Press Association for his work as editor of the American Baptist, a newspaper in Louisville, Kentucky.

Simmons is best known for his 1887 work, Men of Mark: Eminent, Progressive, and Rising. The book compiled brief biographies of one hundred seventy-seven prominent African American men across the United States. Men of Mark was a best seller and the most extensive collection of African American biographies.

Aukram Burton, Executive Director at the Heritage Center, says:

“The time is overdue for Dr. Rev. William J. Simmons’ portrait to be a permanent installation at the Heritage Center to ensure that visitors will learn about Simmons’ accomplishments as a transformational leader who built a rigorous and inclusive learning environment that promoted academic excellence during an era that denied African Americans the liberties they should have enjoyed as U.S. citizens.

Media inquiries: VIPP Communications at info at vippcommunications dot com or by calling KCAAH at 502-583-4100.

The VIPP Report: The time is now to bridge communities as Louisville is named host site

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September 28, 2016

(Louisville, KY) Our country is experiencing a lot of unrest when it comes to violence in our communities. The Bridge Forum seeks solutions and best practices from top law enforcement professionals and will meet in Louisville, KY for their next scheduled forum. It will be held on Friday, October 28th at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Louisville, 311 South 4th Street from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Registration will begin at 7:30 am and the forum will start at 9:00 am for this invitation only event.

The Bridge Forum will be hosted by President Dr. Kevin W. Cosby of Simmons College, President/CEO David W. Tandy of the Kentucky Diversity Chamber of Commerce and Alan “AP” Powell of the Checkered Flag Run Foundation whose mission is “Investing in Education to Ensure Every Student & veteran Gets to Cross the Finish Line.”

Powell, one of the creators of The Bridge Forum is a Westend Louisville native and entrepreneur. He’s also the founder of the Checkered Flag Run Foundation which is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. He along with his executive team wanted to create a think tank to discuss best practices in community engagement which will be used as a foundation for increased understanding and improve relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they are supposed to protect and serve.

The Bridge Forum has become a model implemented by several cities where members of law enforcement, military, educators, political, business, civic and community leaders can come together and have open dialogue about the problems facing their inner-cities and the strain between law enforcement and the people that live in those communities. Powell says, “After having a conversation with childhood friend, Troy L. Gray, CFRF Board Member and Executive Director of PEAK Community Supports Inc. in Louisville, KY; I knew I had to bring this conversation back to the city I grew up in. To see my hometown make national news for violence was so disheartening. I knew I had to tap into my resources and take a stance by bridging the gap between community and law enforcement.”

Lamont Robinson, VP Supplier Diversity for Nielsen looks forward to working with the Bridge Forum. “I am excited to represent Nielsen at this very important event. It is the quintessential community experience connecting local elected officials with the stakeholders they represent and serve. My main focus is on the community and the small businesses that strengthen them. I come from an underserved community run by the same small businesses you can find in any disadvantaged community nationwide. Our small businesses can’t be successful if we destroy them in our anger; and my purpose is to educate people on the link between these very vital entities and to the economic growth of underserved communities whether local or national. As the voice of the people, at Nielsen we measure what consumers watch, buy and listen to; and through understanding these measurements it gives us the tools necessary to effectively communicate across a multitude of playing fields.”

Forum will consist of breakout sessions that seek solutions through six key topics:

  • Media Relations: The relationship between police, community and media.
  • Conflict Management: The time that an incident may occur through conflict.
  • Crisis Management: How to handle the community’s reaction to negative events.
  • Community Engagement: Responsibilities taken on by the community.
  • Community Relations: Police professionalism towards the community.
  • Multicultural Awareness: The racial biases between police and community.

As a result of the breakout sessions a book will be published. It will be used by colleges and universities to create community engagement and a course curriculum.

The Bridge Forum Louisville have confirmed the following for Friday, October 28th:

  • Moderated by Johnny C. Taylor Jr., American Lawyer, Author, Public Speaker, President & CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund
  • Master of Ceremonies, David W. Tandy, President & CEO, Kentucky Diversity Chamber of Commerce, The 7th and 10th President of the Louisville Metro Council & Current 4th District Councilman & Attorney, Bingham, Greenebaum & Doll, LLP.
  • Chief of Police Steve Conrad, Louisville, KY
  • Cedric L. Alexander, Past President of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Director of Public Safety for DeKalb County, Georgia and CNN Law Enforcement Analyst
  • Chief of Police Regina J. Price, Darby-Township, Delaware County, PA
  • Chief of Police Cecil E. Smith, Sanford, FL
  • Assistant Chief of Police Mattie M. Provost, Houston, TX
  • Deputy Chief of Police U. Renee’ Hall, Detroit, MI

Our upcoming Expected Event Date & Location

  • Friday, October 28th, 2016 @ 7:30 am – 4:00 pm – The Bridge Forum – Hyatt Regency Louisville Downtown, 311 South 4th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (Media invited to attend forum with approved media credential request)

Registration starts at 7:30 am

Forum begins at 9:00 am

If you would like to setup a studio and/or phone interview or obtain media credentials for the October 28th forum please contact Sherlene Shanklin, VIPP Communications at 502-582-7716 or by email sshanklin@vippcommunications.com.

To learn more about The Bridge Forum Louisville and its history go to http://www.thebridgeforum.com.

If you have a story idea, send it to TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com.  You can follow us on Twitter @vippcomm @thevippreport.  

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