The VIPP Report: Lady Veterans Connect Announce Inaugural Gala

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(Winchester, KY) Lady Veterans Connect will host their inaugural Lady Veterans Gala on Monday, November 8th in Lexington at the Hilton Downtown, 369 West Vine Street from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. 

The evening is all about embracing the ‘sheroes’ of the armed forces.  The event will have a red-carpet entrance so guests can see the veterans as they arrive followed by the welcome address at 6:00pm.  Dinner will be served at 7:00pm.  Gala guests will be able to enjoy entertainment, raffles, and a silent auction. 

Female veterans will get to enjoy the gala free with prior registration.  You can purchase a table for ten for $600 and individual tickets are $75.00.

Phyllis Abbott, Executive Director says “Kentucky is currently the home to over 24,000 women veterans.  We honor our lady veterans every year but couldn’t accommodate everyone who wanted to participate from family, friends, and supporters.  By moving it to the Hilton Downtown it’s gives us a chance to increase awareness and our reach about the contributions these ladies have done for the military.  We want them to come out and enjoy the evening as we kickoff activities and events for Veterans Day (November 11th).  I hope you join us and support our initiatives.”

To be a sponsor, purchase tickets and/or if you need transitional housing go to www.lv-connect.org or call 859-806-4297. 

About

Lady Veterans Connect is an organization created to provide high quality, comprehensive services to assist female veterans in transitional support and preventing homelessness. Founded in 2012 under the name Sheppards Hands by Phyllis Abbott, LVC was officially renamed in 2016 and opened the first transitional healing home, the Thurman-Abbott House, for female veterans in Kentucky. Since then, LVC has connected over 500 lady veterans in Kentucky with needed resources.

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The VIPP Report: Lady Veterans Connect Dedicate Anna’s House For Women Veterans

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LADY VETERANS CONNECT ANNOUNCE DEDICATION AND RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY OF ANNA’S HOUSE FOR WOMEN VETERANS

(Winchester, KY) As Kentuckians works to get back on track due to the pandemic. Lady Veterans Connect is dedicated to changing the lives of women veterans by giving them a safe place to stay as they heal and transition back into society.

On Saturday, June 12th at 1pm you are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of our Winchester facility located at 11400 Irvine Way.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development female veterans are two to three times more likely to be homeless than any other group in the United States adult population? [LVC is committed to changing these statistics by providing a safe place to heal and become the proud women they were while serving our country.] Kentucky is the home to over 24,000 women veterans with that number expected to double in the next five-years?

Phyllis Abbott, Executive Director says “This transitional housing [program] is vital for women who maybe dealing with PTSD and other forms of trauma. We had to postpone the celebration but our services were needed more than ever.  This ribbon cutting symbolizes the support we have received from sponsors, volunteers and the community who made this possible. By taking a few minutes to say thank you for helping make this dream a reality.” 

To apply for transitional housing and/or to be a volunteer for the Lady Veterans Connect visit our site at http://www.lv-connect.org.

If you plan to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony please RSVP at info@ladyveteransconnect.org.

To setup an interview please contact VIPP Communications at sshanklin@vippcommunications.com.

About

Lady Veterans Connect is an organization created to provide high quality, comprehensive services to assist female veterans in transitional support and preventing homelessness. Founded in 2012 under the name Sheppards Hands by Phyllis Abbott, LVC was officially renamed in 2016 and opened the first transitional healing home, the Thurman-Abbott House, for female veterans in Kentucky. Since then, LVC has connected over 500 lady veterans in Kentucky with needed resources.

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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see how we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  www.vippcommunications.com

The VIPP Report: Female veterans have a new facility they can now call home

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Lady Veterans Connect’s new facility will serve as a transitional home for female veterans where they can heal and participate in programs to prepare them to successfully integrate back into society. 

(Winchester, KY) According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development female veterans are two to three times more likely to be homeless than any other group in the United States adult population? [LVC is committed to changing these statistics by providing a safe place to heal and become the proud women they were while serving our country.] Kentucky is the home to over 24,000 women veterans with that number expected to double in the next five-years?

 Lady Veterans Connect’s new facility in Winchester is now open to receiving female veterans in our program. We had to cancel our official dedication due to COVID but it will be held at a later date. The home is located at 11400 Irvine Road, Winchester, Ky.

Phyllis Abbott, Executive Director says “We are trying to give female veterans a sense of comfort by giving them a place they can call home. This transitional housing [program] is vital for women who maybe dealing with PTSD and other forms of trauma. We hope you join us in serving the needs of our female veterans’ housing needs.” We are currently accepting applications for the Lady Veterans Connect Transitional Home for Female Veterans which can be found by visiting our site at http://www.lv-connect.org. We would like to thank all of our partners, supporters, and volunteers who have made this facility available..

If you would like to volunteer and/or to learn more about Lady Veterans Connect go to http://www.lv-connect.org.

To setup an interview (via zoom and/or in-person at a social distance) please contact VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com.

About

Lady Veterans Connect is an organization created to provide high quality, comprehensive services to assist female veterans in transitional support and preventing homelessness. Founded in 2012 under the name Sheppards Hands by Phyllis Abbott, LVC was officially renamed in 2016 and opened the first transitional healing home, the Thurman-Abbott House, for female veterans in Kentucky. Since then, LVC has connected over 500 lady veterans in Kentucky with needed resources.

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The VIPP Report: The Lady Veterans Connect salutes female members of the military

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A Virtual Event: Honoring Our She’roes

(Winchester, Kentucky) As the country begins to hit reboot, Lady Veterans Connect is looking for unsung heroes of the military. All Female Veterans from all era’s of military service are called to be honored this Veterans Day.

Join us on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th, for Lady Veterans Connect first-ever free virtual event, “Honoring our She’ roes”; a Q&A panel session, with giveaways, that takes place from 4:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., moderated by Judge Lindsey Thurston. Registration is required for the Facebook Live event.

Visit www.lv-connect.org/sheroes.html to register and upload photos and details for yourself, or a loved one. Deadline to submit is November 8th. All photo submissions are planned to become a permanent fixture on the Wall of Honor at Lady Veterans Connect Winchester, Kentucky location.

Female veterans currently are, and will continue, to be an important part of the veteran community. Women represent about 10 percent of the total veteran population, with approximately 2 million female veterans in the United States and U. S. Territories.

To setup an interview please contact VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com.

Lady Veterans Connect is an organization created to provide high quality, comprehensive services to assist female veterans in transitional support and prevent homelessness. Founded in 2012 under the name Sheppards Hands by Phyllis Abbott, LVC was officially renamed in 2016 and opened the first transitional healing home, the Thurman-Abbott House, for female veterans in Kentucky. Since then, LVC has connected over 500 lady veterans in Kentucky with needed resources, as during COVID-19 we have not been able to have women in the home, but we are now allowed to do so.   

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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management, writing services, marketing, branding and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  www.vippcommunications.com

The VIPP Report: KCAAH announces plans to develop a Media Arts Center named to honor Kentucky native Colonel Charles Young

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The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage announce plans to develop a Media Arts Center named to honor the Legendary Colonel Charles Young

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Logo_no_TxtThe Kentucky Center for African American Heritage (Heritage Center) is embarking on the expansion of a new Media Arts Center in a vacant 14,000 square foot wing on the campus. The proposed media arts center will be a state-of-the-art facility serving as the communication arm of one of the primary heritage centers in the state of Kentucky. The Media Arts Center will house a 40′ x 50′ “black-box” with a maximum seating capacity of 200, providing a unique and versatile space where artists of all disciplines showcase their creative work. The center’s layout will also include a lower and upper level. The lower level will include a dressing room with sink and toilets, green rooms, options for loading in and out, public restrooms, office and storage spaces. The upper level will include editing suites, sound booths, meeting rooms and access to the control room and lighting grid over-looking the “black-box” theatre. This venue will offer local artist and media producers a platform to produce video, theatre, music, dance, literary, public lectures, community forums and more.

The new Media Arts Center will offer a professional learning environment where media and the arts are used to promote and preserve Kentucky’s African American heritage and the shared heritage with the African Diaspora by hosting and producing programs, performances, exhibits, and a repository of video programs that will be broadcasted and/or distributed throughout Kentucky and the nation. The fund-raising goal for the project is 3.5 million dollars.

To initiate this capital campaign, the Heritage Center has retained the services of Charles Blatcher III, as the Project Fundraising Director for the construction and development of the new Colonel Charles Young Media Arts Center located on the 68,000 square foot campus in Louisville, Kentucky.

Mr. Blatcher brings a wealth of experience working as a principal organizer for the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations (NCOBVO). The coalition came together in unity of purpose to promote a greater understanding of the important role Black service men and service women perform in the defense of the nation. As chairman, Mr. Blatcher has led the coalition as the chief advocate for Black Military History and Colonel Charles Young.  Under his leadership, the call for the posthumous honorary promotion for Colonel Charles Young to the rank of Brigadier General has gained prominence. He is not a stranger to Kentucky. He has played a major role in promoting educational tourism in the Kentucky/Ohio region. The Coalition dubbed the route connecting the Colonel’s birth cabin in Mays Lick, Kentucky to the national monument and archives in Wilberforce, Ohio as “the Colonel Charles Young Corridor.” We have seen some things move in a positive direction under his leadership.  We look forward to the expertise and dedication he brings to the Media project.  Mr. Blatcher recounts why naming the Media Arts Center in honor of Colonel Charles Young:

I welcome the opportunity to be a part of developing the Media Arts Center. Especially in the name of the legendary Colonel Charles Young. It’s an honor he deserves. In his period of history, he was more than an outstanding Soldier, he was a great communicator as a visual artist, musician, and poet, who spoke several languages. Colonel Young stood with

intellectuals of the times, such as W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, and poet, novelist, and playwright Paul Laurence Dunbar who were among his close friends.

Colonel Young has a presence in African-American art and literature. One of the most notable instances of this is Countée Cullen’s 1925 poem “In Memory of Colonel Charles Young.” Another case of Young’s legacy in literature is from his close friend, W.E.B. Du Bois, who spoke at Young’s eulogy. DuBois claimed that “The life of Charles Young was a triumph of tragedy.” Charles Young is also represented in paintings and other art. Notably, a painting by J.W. Shannon titled “Portrait of Cadet Charles Young,” which currently belongs to The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio.

He was a creative man who left behind a treasure of musical scores, poetry, and writings. The thought of him one day having his name above a Media Arts Center would have pleased him. What is pleasing for me is to think one day some of his work may be presented in a theater in a building named in his honor. I welcome being a part of making it happen. I am optimistic in the pride this effort will bring to the Community, City of Louisville and the State of Kentucky.

KCAAH is working in tandem with the Black Media Collaborative (BMC). BMC is a network of media professionals including directors, producers, writers and specialist working in the film, television, radio, animation, theatre, literature, journalism and Internet industries. BMC is dedicated to developing media literacy and skilled people in the production of media to provide significant economic, employment and cultural benefits in our community.   BMC will provide the human resource capacity to develop an onsite media production facility which will be dedicated to radio, film, video and theatre productions, which will provide both training and performing venue.

The center will also collaborate with the African American Theatre Program (AATP) at the University of Louisville. AATP produces theatrical productions about Black life in Kentucky and throughout the African Diaspora. Founded in 1993, the African American Theatre Program is committed to staging works by new and established African American dramatists, developing a broad audience for African American theatre, and offering an in-depth curriculum that focuses on the theory and craft of acting, directing, and designing for Black Theatre.

To setup and interview please contact VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com.

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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event mgmt & production firm  headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  http://www.vippcommunications.com.

 

 

 

The VIPP Report: The first African American to reach the rank of colonel in the U.S. will be honored during a flag and plaque ceremony

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A plaque ceremony and flag installation will be held the FIRST African American to hold the rank of “Colonel” in the U.S. Army and Buffalo Soldier from Kentucky

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The ceremony will be held at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage in West Louisville

 On Sunday, February 24, 2019, the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, (KCAAH) in partnership with The National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations presents Colonel Charles Young the Epitome of Leadership.  As we near the end of Black History Month, we invite you to attend the installation of the 9th Calvary Regiment Flag and plaque ceremony for Colonel Charles Young.

Charles YCol. Young was born a slave in 1864 in Mason County, Kentucky.  He was one of the first African Americans to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point and the first black colonel in the U.S. Army.  He also served as a member of the 9th Calvary also known as the Buffalo Soldiers.  Young died in Liberia in 1922.

The ceremony will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at KCAAH which is located at 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.  During the program Brian Shellum, author of three books about the life of Colonel Charles Young will speak during the program.  His focus will be Col. Young’s challenging missions during his 30 years on active duty.  Also, a part of the ceremony will be Charles Blatcher III, chairman for the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations, (NCBVO).  His angle will be NCBVO advocacy on behalf of Colonel Young and his importance to Black Military History and Black History Month.

If you are unable to attend but would like to have photos of the event send your request to info@vippcommunications.com and we will give you a summary of the event and photos.

http://www.kcaah.org

twitter: @kygriot

VIPP Communications is a full-service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  http://vippcommunications.com/

The VIPP Report: On Veterans Day the FIRST African American to hold the rank of “Colonel” in the U.S. Army will receive a permanent memorial in Louisville

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The Charles Young Veterans Memorial

The memorial will be at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage

Today, (Sunday 11th), veterans , officials and community leaders will gather at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage Center, (KCAAH) located at 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd for the official unveiling of the Charles Young Veterans Memorial. This is the first project of the Freedom Flag Initiative. It works through Public-Private Partnerships to install American Flags throughout communities and states across the nation and build memorials to honor our nation’s veterans. The public is invited to attend the Veteran Flag Memorial Project ceremony which takes place at 2:00 pm.

The memorial will be named in honor of Colonel Charles Young.  Col. Young was born a slave in 1864 in Mason County, Kentucky.  He was one of the first African Americans to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point and the first black colonel in the U.S. Army.   He also served as a member of the 9th Calvary also known as the Buffalo Soldiers.  Young died in Liberia in 1922. Charles.Young.1919

The Veteran Flag Memorial Project was created by the Region VI Commanders of the National Association for Black Veterans as an opportunity to unify people and communities by providing beautiful spaces to reflect on a symbol that can unify us all.

If you are unable to attend but would like to have photos of the event send your request to info@vippcommunications.com and we will give you a summary of the event and photos of the groundbreaking.

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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.

 

The VIPP Report: KCAAH will break ground on a memorial named in honor of a Kentucky native and the first African American colonel in the U.S. Army

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CHARLESYOUNGVETERANSMEMORIAL

You are invited to attend on Tuesday, July 31st at 10:00 am, the ceremonial ground breaking of the Veteran Flag Memorial Project at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, (KCAAH) located at 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.

The Charles Young Veterans Memorial is the first project of the Freedom Flag Initiative. It works through Public-Private Partnerships to install American Flags throughout communities and states across the nation, and build memorials to honor our nation’s veterans.

The memorial will be named in honor of Colonel Charles Young.  Col. Young was born a slave in 1864 in Mason County, Kentucky.  He was one of the first African Americans to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point and actually the very first black colonel in the U.S. Army.   He also served as a member of the 9th Calvary also known as the Buffalo Soldiers.  Young died in Liberia in 1922.

This project will officially announce the Veteran Flag Memorial Project created by the Region VI Commanders of the National Association for Black Veterans as an opportunity to unify people and communities by providing beautiful spaces to reflect on a symbol that can unify us all.  Some of the speakers participating in the program will be Scott Matheny, President, Semper Tek, Inc. Shedrick Jones, Sr., NABVETS Region VI Commander, Hosea Mitchell, COO, KCAAH, Daniel Ware, EOP Architects John Carman, CEO, CARMAN Landscape Architects.

The unveiling of the Charles Young Veterans Memorial will be held on Veterans Day, November 11, 2018 at KCAAH.

If you are unable to attend but would like to have photos of the event send your request to info@vippcommunications.com and we will give you a summary of the event and photos of the groundbreaking.

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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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