Young Men United
Young Men United (YMU) is an initiative Metro United Way launched last year to create barrier-free pathways for young men of color to reach their academic and career goals by bringing wrap-around supports to youth in our community during their high school and college years and transition into the workforce.
Why It’s Important:
The program includes the Young Men United (YMU) Scholarship, which embodies Metro United Way’s commitment to supporting students of color in Jefferson and Shelby counties to get into, and through, college. Since the program began, United Way has awarded 161 scholarships, each worth $3000 to help support recipients’ academic and collegiate goals.
Learn more: Metro United Way Young Men United
United Neighborhoods
United Neighborhoods takes a powerful approach to promoting sustained neighborhood change. At its foundation are the neighborhood’s residents and existing community resources, which are the key to driving that transformative change. With a commitment to collective impact and sharing power, the intent is to invest in neighborhoods whose assets and residents have historically been neglected.
Why It’s Important:
This initiative aims to create a more equitable community by ensuring that a person’s zip code doesn’t limit their opportunities or wellbeing. Metro United Way launched the program in 2022, focusing on the California neighborhood in west Louisville, and later expanded to the Parkland and Claysburg neighborhoods. Historical disparities in these areas have created opportunities to improve health, life expectancy, and homeownership. Resident-driven recommendations guide the program, invested an additional $300,000 in 2024, bringing total investments in the California neighborhood specifically to $1.1 million.
Learn more: Metro United Way United Neighborhoods
FundBLACKFounders
Because only 1% of start-up capital accrues to Black entrepreneurs and there is a higher loan denial rate for black-owned businesses than that of white-owned businesses, Metro United Way partnered with FundBLACKFounders to provide $25,000 matching crowdfunding grants to 13 Louisville-based founders. This innovative program is supporting early-stage startups founded by Black entrepreneurs to foster infrastructure, helping them to bring their ideas to life and grow their businesses.
What’s New:
The crowdfunding process began in 2024 and to date, all participants have successfully met their own $25,000 fundraising goals to scale their businesses through this investment opportunity.
Learn more: Metro United Way FundBLACKFounders
Beyond Buzzwords
Beyond Buzzwords is a Metro United Way speaker series focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, designed to provide meaningful discussions about topics that promote thoughtful reflection, as well as personal and institutional application. Past speakers have included Alejandra Campoverdi, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Isabel Wilkerson, Heather McGhee, Austin Channing Brown, and many other nationally-recognized experts. All Beyond Buzzwords sessions are virtual events and free to attend. Several of the community’s employers view the series together with their teams during Black History Month.
What’s New:
In 2024 alone, almost 1,000 individuals attended the Beyond Buzzwords speaker series. Sessions this year include Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, author of “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” (Tuesday, February 4) Dr. Robin DiAngelo, author of “How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm” (Tuesday, June 3), and Dr. Jemar Tisby (Tuesday, September 30). All sessions start at noon on Zoom.
Learn more and register here: Metro United Way Beyond Buzzwords
Racial Wealth Gap Simulation
More than 4,000 individuals have participated in Metro United Way’s Racial Wealth Gap simulation, which takes people and organizations on a historical journey to wealth building in America, pausing on 13 federal policies that most powerfully accelerated or impeded progress based on race. It powerfully helps us all understand the racialized impacts of laws that have determined access to opportunity, resources, and power for generations and highlights what we can do to change them. In partnership with Bread for the World, Metro United Way developed this training in the fall of 2019 and have since shared it with many different audiences. Trained staff lead the simulation and offer a safe, confidential, and engaging space to help elevate the conversation around policies that have been in place for decades, affecting generations of families in our community. The program is usually conducted virtually.
What’s New:
All are welcome to schedule a virtual simulation with trained staff from Metro United Way. The ideal audience for this simulation is 48 people, and there is a sliding scale fee. However, in celebration of Black History Month, they are offering one FREE session, with a capacity of up to 100 individuals, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from noon to 1:30 p.m. To reserve your spot or for more information or to schedule a session, please contact Malissa Love (Malissa.Love@metrounitedway.org).
Learn more: Metro United Way Racial Wealth Gap Simulation
Black L.O.V.E. Philanthropic Partnership
Metro United Way continues to follow and partners in the Black L.O.V.E. (Live, Own, Vote, Excel) Philanthropic Partnership (BLPP) – which invests in Black-led social change nonprofit and advocacy organizations. This initiative addresses how inequities restrict individuals and communities in terms of access, opportunity and resources. The goal of BLPP is to listen to and empower those affected by racial inequities through historic investments in Black-led social change organizations, defined as those with predominantly Black board members and executive leadership, staff and constituents.
What’s New:
In 2024, 50 organizations submitted proposals for the next round of investments, and 22 organizations joined BLPP. The objective is to attract and support Black-led organizations that align with the following principles: Live, Own, Vote, Excel.
Learn more: Black L.O.V.E Philanthropic Partnership – Metro United Way
Public Policy
On Wednesday, February 12, Metro United Way will host its annual “Live United Day at the Capitol” to highlight the education, economic mobility, and health policies most impacting our community. Through personal meetings with legislators, remarks from legislative and executive leaders, and meet-and-greets, volunteers will advocate for the issues most important to them and share the work of Metro United Way in ensuring that zip code doesn’t determine destiny.
What’s New:
Both the Kentucky and Indiana General Assemblies began legislative sessions earlier this month. Movement on many of Metro United Way’s top priorities – housing, child care and early education, and economic support for families and households – are expected in both states. Metro United Way’s policy team is actively engaged with legislators and partners to advocate for equitable policy solutions to improve communities.
Learn more: Visit the Policy Page to see the legislation Metro United Way is tracking and learn how to get involved.
