Louisville Story Program

Our Mission

The Louisville Story Program strengthens the bonds of community by amplifying unheard voices and untold stories. Through rigorous writing and oral history workshops, and with professional editorial support, participating LSP authors from historically underrepresented communities document the richness of lived experience in Louisville communities from the inside out, and in their own words. Their work is published in professionally designed books, exhibits, and radio programs that promote dialogue across the community and increase awareness of overlooked aspects of Louisville's culture and history. We leverage their achievements into as many additional professional, educational, cultural, and social opportunities for them as possible.

A Word From Authors

"LSP made me believe in myself. It made me much more than just an author. I learned to speak up for myself, to write better, and to be a better me." -- Maria Zaminkhan, LSP Author, No Single Sparrow Makes a Summer 

"Each chapter is different, each writer is different, and each experience is special. And I think it will help you become more intellectually curious. You read this and you want to know more. I think you'll start to see that we are all more alike than different." -- Carrye Jones, LSP Author, If You Write Me a Letter, Send It Here: Voices of Russell In a Time of Change

"One day, everyone in Louisville is going to say, 'I've touched something that the Louisville Story Program produced.'" -- Ravon Churchill, LSP Author, I Said Bang!: A History of the Dirt Bowl 

"Being in the Louisville Story Program made me feel like I belonged somewhere, like I had my second family. They challenged me to do better when not a lot of other people were doing that. They asked me how far I could go, and I said, ‘To the moon and back.’ I didn’t know they would be accompanying me there, but the journey was great." -- A’lea Marie Smith, LSP Author, No Single Sparrow Makes a Summer

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A Word from Supporters

"The Louisville Story Program is challenging the arena of what a book is and what a book can do and where books matter in our communities."  - Nikky Finney, 2011 National Book Award winner

“Because of LSP, we now have insight into some of Louisville's most valuable communities and institutions from Shawnee to Russell, from the Dirt Bowl to the Backside of Churchill Downs. These stories add layers to our already rich history - they give us a full and honest view of our city. Our city now has a network of up and coming storytellers who are not afraid of telling their truth. We are a better city because of LSP!” - Anthony Smith, Cities United, Executive Director

"The LSP is an integral player in reflecting Louisville's unique history, legacy and impact back to Louisvillians. My sense of pride and appreciation for our community grows exponentially with each and every publication." - Jeana Dunlap, META Agency, Founder and Harvard University Loeb Fellow

Who We Are

The Louisville Story Program strengthens community by amplifying unheard voices and untold stories. We partner closely with overlooked Louisville residents by providing extensive writing and oral history workshops and intensive editorial support, culminating in professionally-designed documentary books, exhibits, and radio programs in which our authors tell the stories of their lives and communities in their own words. We then work to ensure the broadest possible audience for their work, and to leverage their achievements into additional opportunities for them.