What if instead of allowing differences to breed divisiveness, we celebrated our uniqueness? What if we embraced our distinct strengths to create more inclusive, loving communities? That’s the vision Charles Booker has touted in his fight for equity and justice throughout his journey from one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country to a political career forging new alliances among forgotten communities — now as Kentucky’s director of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, and previously as the state’s youngest Black legislator in nearly 90 years. In this session, Booker and others share insights on what it takes to bridge divides and build relationships. Joining Booker in this session are:

Baylen Campbell is director of Community Impact for Invest Appalachia, a social investment fund built by and for the people of Appalachia. Originally from Hazard, Ky., Baylen brings experience working as an economic development and social impact practitioner. He is passionate about utilizing strategic communications and storytelling to shift outdated narratives of Appalachia. Baylen is co-founder of the Lige Clarke Liberation Fund supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy in Eastern Kentucky, and he holds a BA in international affairs and an MSc in development practice.

Kiana Del is a vocalist, radio host and educator hailing from the valleys of Carrollton, Ky. She uses music to tell the story of our complex humanity and to foster a safe space for others to create. She's the engagement manager for music education and 90.5 WUOL host at Louisville Public Media by day and performs music with her band Kiana & the Sun Kings at night. She sits on multiple boards including Fund for the Arts and Louisville Jazz Initiative, and serves as coordinator of the Hadley Creatives Program.

Sadiqa Reynolds (moderator) is an attorney, former judge, and the first woman to serve as president and CEO of Louisville Urban League; she was the first African-American woman to clerk for the Kentucky Supreme Court, and the first African American to serve Kentucky as Inspector General. She’s now CEO of Perception Institute, where she leads a consortium of strategists to implement solutions to reduce inequities affecting marginalized groups.​

About the Festival of Faiths: 

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the Festival of Faiths is a nationally acclaimed, multi-day festival that hosts spiritual practitioners, thought leaders and movement makers.

The 2023 Festival of Faiths, Sacred Hearts, Sacred Minds: Embodying Love, celebrated the power of love to cultivate meaningful connections, strengthen communities and transform lives. Festival sessions explored contemporary concerns through the lens of faith and tapped into our unique capacity for love and compassion in order to envision a more loving future.

Connect with the Festival of Faiths — and join us on this journey of conversation, understanding and spiritual nourishment: 

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