The Faces Changing History in Louisville: Aaron Jordan
BY DAWN ANDERSON | PHOTO BY DICK ARNSPIGER | COURTESY PHOTOS
B lack Complex Louisville has exciting announcements for 2023, including the 4th annual Louisville Juneteenth Festival to be held mid-June 2023. Aaron Jordan, Founder + CEO of Black Complex Louisville, created the Louisville Juneteenth Festival out of the social unrest of 2020. “The theme of Black History Month 2023 is Black Resistance,” says Jordan, “and this year’s Louisville Juneteenth Festival is prioritizing its connection to economic empowerment and development.” Aaron Jordan graduated from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a degree in Integrated Market- ing and Communications. He is also an artist, songwriter, musician, and producer who became involved in music en- tertainment and activism after college, spending some time with Sony Music and Tree Sounds Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Jordan’s vision for Louisville Juneteenth Festival grew out of his desire to “amplify and elevate social justice and economic empowerment.” Inspired by the Sunday Service album and choir directed by Jason White, Jordan began making plans for Juneteenth 2020. “I asked friends to help put together a choir to rep- resent Louisville on a national platform.” The Juneteenth Choir’s one-million-plus views “amplified the cause in terms of demanding justice for Breonna Taylor.” Jordan leverages his talents and skill set to grow the Louisville Juneteenth Festival year after year. The five pillars of the festival theme of Black Resistance are: 1| Tourism 2| Economic Empowerment 3| Social Impact 4| Educational Programming 5| Creative Placemaking Jordan built the organization that produces Louisville Juneteenth Festival as its signature event upon similar
values. “Black Complex Louisville is a coworking space and member community to ensure Black and Brown people are at the helm of decision-making as Louisville benefits from the social economy.” With BCL, “the creative community is supported and at the table.” According to Jordan, “Histori- cally, minorities have been marginalized and undervalued in Louisville, Kentucky.” Black Complex Louisville is partnering with Epping District (eppingdistrict.com) on a new busi- ness, entertainment, food, and retail development in the East Broadway corridor at Logan Street in the Smoketown neighborhood. A series of early June events, including a Block Party, will lead up to the 2023 Louisville Juneteenth Festival. Some repeat events from 2022 will combine with 2023’s “expand- ing footprint through partnerships.” This year’s festival coincides with celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, “empowering the stakeholders of hip-hop culture.” For example, the City of New York, the NYC Mayor’s Office, and the Universal Hip Hop Museum (uhhm.org) in the Bronx have engaged in a 12-month partnership to celebrate with local community activities in all five boroughs and a global concert. Aaron Jordan, Black Complex Louisville, and the Louisville Juneteenth Festival continue to seek corporate sponsors, volunteers, talent, and vendors to celebrate throughout June, including Juneteenth weekend. “I strongly encour- age everyone to lean in, be bold, and be intentional with actionable steps to create a sustainable, healthy, vibrant Lou- isville.” Black Complex Louisville’s tagline is “Do Something Black Today!” For more information, visit blackcomplexlouisville. com and louisvillejuneteenthfest.com. Follow @ blackcomplexlouisville and @louisvillejuneteenth- fest on Instagram and @blackcomplexlou and @lou- juneteenthfest on Facebook for the latest announce- ments and updates.
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