We envision the Greater Louisville region as a place where zip code doesn’t determine destiny and everyone has the opportunity to grow into their full potential.
An equitable community is one where every individual has access to the full benefits of society, and is valued and treated with fairness and justice. Residents understand the biases of racial, social, and economic systems and are empowered to participate in social, cultural, and economic life. It’s where meeting needs and achieving one’s full potential are not in any way predicated on identity, but the inherent right that every human has, allowing all to have barrier-free opportunities and experience the best possible outcomes: long lives, high quality of life, and safety.
But, despite our vision of an equitable Greater Louisville region, historical inequities, socioeconomic disparities, cultural and systemic barriers, and lack of awareness and engagement hinder progress toward ensuring equitable outcomes for all. Metro United Way is working to address these inequities and barriers with a network of partners in a variety of ways.
The Need
In 2019, the poverty rate for African Americans in Louisville was around 26%, compared to approximately 10% for white residents.
In 2020, the high school graduation rate for African American students in Jefferson County Public Schools (which includes Louisville) was around 81%, compared to approximately 89% for white students.
As of 2019, African Americans made up about 20% of Louisville’s population but accounted for over 50% of the arrests made in the city.
The current life expectancy for Jefferson County residents is about 74.8 years, but drops to 70.7 for non-Hispanic Black residents.
Sources: Data USA, Kentucky Department of Education, WFPL News, City of Louisville Health Equity Report, MUW data analysis
...and our partners in this work
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
It will take all of us working together to ensure every individual in the Greater Louisville region has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Only then will we achieve an equitable community. Join us and invest today.