For the next three days, Owensboro is playing host to the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX), a statewide leadership program that trains Kentucky leaders from a variety of sectors to connect with one another by exploring partnerships in host communities.
According to a release, “cohort members are chosen based on their commitment to Kentucky and their diverse experiences across identity, geography, and perspective.” Once accepted, the cohort gathers at six “community intensives” over two years, in at least 4 Kentucky regions. During these community intensives, members hone professional and leadership skills through programming developed by the host committee.
Owensboro is one of three RUX host communities this year, along with Louisville and Estill County.
“We’ve spent years building relationships and partnerships with Owensboro’s leaders so that we can deliver a truly remarkable experience of Daviess County,” says RUX co-founder and Art of the Rural Exchange Director Savannah Barrett. “The staff of Owensboro Health, the Public Life Foundation, the Young Foundation, and many others have organized a diverse committee of community leaders and have demonstrated a commitment to using RUX as an opportunity to address challenging conversations, strengthen relationships across the city, and develop collaborations with others across the state. We couldn’t be more excited to host the RUX cohort in Owensboro.”
The Owensboro host committee includes leaders from Western Kentucky University’s Owensboro campus, the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, Owensboro Health, Toyotetsu Mid America, WBKR, Castlen Realty, Owensboro Community & Technical College, The Party Space Place, the International Center of Owensboro, Puzzle Pieces, Daicel Safety Systems, the Marilyn & William Young Foundation, and Western Academy at The Neblett.
During their visit to Owensboro, RUX cohort members will learn about the city’s distinct identities through cultural traditions including music and folklife, refugee and immigrant support programs, African American history and leadership, green spaces, and agriculture.
While RUX Weekend Intensives focus on the culture, economy, environment of each host community, cohort members also spend time in professional development workshops to develop leadership skills, build networks, and consult on projects with one another.
