Kentucky
‘Racism is alive and well’: 4 takeaways from a discussion on civil rights in Kentucky
Kentucky has come a long way since 10,000 people marched to the state capitol in 1964, demanding an end to segregation at businesses statewide. But 60 years later, the struggle against racism is still alive and well.
That was the theme that emerged during a panel discussion Thursday, where several people involved in the historic March on Frankfort reflected on the event and what it means to keep fighting discrimination in 2024.
The discussion was part of the Frazier History Museum’s Bridging the Divide Series, in partnership with the Courier Journal and Louisville’s Office of Equity.
Below are a few highlights from the conversation − available to watch in full on the CJ’s YouTube page.
March on Frankfort had a rippling effect
The March on Frankfort − led by Martin Luther King Jr. and retired baseball player Jackie Robinson − was organized as a call to action for state lawmakers who were debating two civil rights bills proposed in the house and senate.
The bills would have made it illegal for businesses and other public accommodations to discriminate against Black people. And while neither won approval in 1964, the march set the stage for the passage of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act in 1966.
The passage made Kentucky the first southern state to institute such a bill, and it also gave teeth to the state’s commission on human rights, which until that point did not have legal authority to rule on complaints of discrimination, said John J. Johnson, who served as executive director of the commission for 13 years.
Today, the commission investigates discrimination complaints for all protected classes, including age, sex, religion and disability.
“All of that would have never been in place had it not been for the march in 1964,” Johnson said.
No national figure has replaced Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1964, King was the drawing power for thousands of Kentuckians who wanted to hear the acclaimed activist speak. But 60 years later, no one person wields the same influence in the ongoing fight for racial justice, several panelists said.
“There is no one to compare with Martin Luther King, who could galvanize the whole civil rights movement around him,” said Raoul Cunningham, president of the Louisville Branch NAACP.
Johnson said many individuals and groups continue to work to improve the lives of Black people, however. And the question now is “are we supporting them?”
“We can talk about how Martin King is not with us, but what stops me from doing what I can, doing my part?” he said.
Kentucky, U.S. are in a time of ‘reaction’
Throughout history, every positive step toward reducing racial inequalities has been followed by a negative reaction, said Sen. Gerald Neal, a member of the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus.
And following the racial justice protests of 2020, the U.S. and Kentucky are now “in a period of reaction.”
“A sophisticated reaction. A targeted and intentional reaction,” Neal said, referencing several proposed state bills filed by Republican lawmakers that could have harmful repercussions for Black residents.
“You’ll find interaction between the same players on these bills,” he said. “It’s very intentional. And what’s happening toward Louisville is part of that. … Racism is alive and well.”
Education is important to overcome discrimination
Chaka Cummings, executive director of the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky, said more discussions like Thursday’s panel are needed to honor Black heritage and to show people that anyone can help make a change.
“There’s a lot of Black legacy in this state, and that doesn’t always get explored in classrooms the way that it should be explored,” he said.
Lamont Collins, founder of the Roots 101 African American Museum, added that Black history is American history, and “it should not be taught 28 days a year.”
“What would it mean for a young Black boy to hear that he’s the descendent of kings and queens, that his history forged philosophy, mathematics, science,” Collins said. “Would he not walk different? Would he not talk different? That’s why history is so important.”
Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at bloosemore@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4646 or on Twitter @bloosemore.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville celebrated Juneteenth with music, dancing and a parade highlighting Black culture, history and unity.
The Kentucky Black Festival’s Juneteenth Unity Parade brought hundreds of people to west Louisville, with marching bands, dancers, community organizations and families joining together to honor the meaning behind the holiday.
“Seeing the families having a good time seeing everyone dancing, with everything that’s happening in this city and happening in the world, a moment to just take a breath and smile and relax your shoulders is what this is all about,” said Walter Murrah, executive director of the Kentucky Black Foundation.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
For organizers, the celebration is about more than a parade. It’s about recognizing the history that paved the way for future generations.
“Celebrating Juneteenth is more than just dancing and singing. It’s also reaching back and looking at the giants that paved the way for us, but also taking a moment to just celebrate our blackness because I think oftentimes it’s looked down upon, left out, overlooked, and those kind of things,” Murrah said. “And so being Black is beautiful. Being Black is, you know, it should be celebrated, and that’s what Juneteenth is about, is, you know, marrying the history but also looking ahead to what’s in the future.”
Attendees said the event created a space to celebrate their heritage and come together.
“We’re not celebrated enough, so with this being Juneteenth for freedom and unity to come together, this is the day for us to do that,” said Tara Britt.
Community members also emphasized the importance of teaching younger generations about the holiday and its history.
“It’s very important because if we don’t tell them, they won’t know. We have to get educated to educate them because it’s not in the schools right now,” said Shannon Gilbert. “So we get all the knowledge and give it back to them and make sure they’re educated because they’re the future.”
Organizers said the goal is to make sure Juneteenth is not only remembered but experienced through community celebrations like the parade.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, but communities across the country have recognized and celebrated the day for decades.
Kentucky
Demetrus Liggins disputes Fayette County board’s claim he resigned, attorneys allege misconduct
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — The attorneys for Dr. Demetrus Liggins issued a press release Friday alleging the Fayette County Board of Education publicly announced a resignation that never happened, cited the wrong Kentucky statutes to justify placing him on administrative leave, and installed a replacement superintendent without legal authority to do so.
The press release, dated June 19, 2026, gives FCPS a four-day deadline to rescind the administrative leave, withdraw the replacement-superintendent designation, and correct the public record. If the district does not comply, Dr. Liggins’ legal team has reserved the right to pursue contractual, statutory, constitutional, defamation, false-light, civil-rights, and tort claims.
According to the press release, Dr. Liggins proposed discussions toward a possible separation agreement — he did not submit an unconditional resignation. His attorneys allege he expressly corrected the Board’s characterization before the Board acted, yet the Board publicly announced a “resignation notice” anyway.
The press release also notes a striking internal contradiction in the Board’s own June 11 letter: the document’s letterhead continued to identify “Superintendent: Demetrus Liggins, PhD” even while the body of the letter announced an “Acting Superintendent.”
Dr. Liggins’ attorneys argue the Board’s June 11 leave letter cited KRS 160.160 and KRS 160.370 — neither of which, according to counsel, expressly authorizes a board to indefinitely suspend a contracted superintendent, bar him from communicating with district-affiliated persons, exclude him from all school property, and install a substitute officeholder.
Counsel argues the Board deliberately avoided KRS 160.350, the statute that specifically governs superintendent terms, vacancies, acting appointments, and removal for cause, according to the press release.
The press release also invokes Lexington-Fayette’s unique status as Kentucky’s sole urban-county government under KRS Chapter 67A, arguing the Board’s legal framing is further flawed because Fayette County is not governed by the special Chapter 67C school-governance provisions applicable to a consolidated local government such as Louisville–Jefferson County.
Attorney Amos N. Jones issued a direct on-the-record statement in the press release.
“This is not administrative leave in any meaningful sense. They announced a resignation that never happened, displaced the lawful superintendent, installed another superintendent, silenced Dr. Liggins inside his own system, and then hired investigators to determine whether the result already imposed should be imposed. Kentucky law does not allow a school board to manufacture a vacancy, perform a removal first, and search for a justification afterward,” Jones said.
According to the press release, Dr. Liggins’s contract runs through June 30, 2029. His attorneys allege the Board’s actions breach that contract by stripping him of his office, authority, professional standing, and future-career value while continuing to pay his salary. The contract reportedly prohibits reassignment without Dr. Liggins’s express written consent.
The press release notes that any litigation or settlement arising from this dispute could carry significant financial consequences for Fayette County taxpayers.
The press release places individual Board members — not just the institution — on notice of potential personal legal exposure. Attorneys cite what they describe as a false resignation narrative, the alleged creation of a fictitious vacancy, concerted displacement, and a false-light portrayal of Dr. Liggins. The notice also warns Board members that attorneys retained by FCPS may not represent their individual interests and that they should have received Upjohn warnings about privilege and conflicts.
According to the press release, counsel has demanded preservation of all communications, drafts, closed-session materials, media contacts, video records, investigative instructions, succession discussions, and communications with public officials, unions, employees, activists, and outside counsel. The inclusion of “media contacts” and “communications with public officials” in the demand suggests Dr. Liggins’ legal team believes there may be involvement by parties beyond the Board itself.
As of Friday, June 19, 2026, the four-day deadline issued to FCPS is running. If the district does not comply, Dr. Liggins’ legal team has indicated it will pursue legal action.
Summer practice is full underway for the 2026-27 Kentucky men’s basketball squad. And while the on-court teaching is critical to the offseason, what’s happening off the floor is equally as important.
Earlier this week, head coach Mark Pope and the entire team made a trip to the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, where they helped put together Father’s Day goodie bags, built toys, played board games with the kids, and shared laughs all around. Watching Franck Kepnang, Mason Williams, and Jerone Morton smile ear-to-ear while losing in a board game will make your heart full.
This was more than just a quick stop, though. This was about building real relationships and putting smiles on the faces of kids who deserve it. Returning center Malachi Moreno even reconnected with one of his new friends.
“There was a kid I’ve actually kept in touch with for a while. His name’s Jackson,” Moreno said Thursday. “Took some of my teammates in to meet him. I met him at Dance Blue. We’ve been playing Fortnite together. Got his PSN (PlayStation Network) tag and we’re going to play some Fortnite. Me, him, Kam (Williams), and Trent (Noah), we’re gonna play some Fortnite together.
“He’s such a cool kid. I think the guys really took in what it means to be at this brand. We walk in any room, we’re gonna brighten someone’s day. They might not be as fortunate as us but we’re taking time out of our day to go see them, and we’re having fun with it. I just wanted them to realize how much fun these kids are having with us.”
Judging by the video that UK put out on Thursday (which you can watch below) , it sure looks like everyone was having a blast. Some things are bigger than basketball.
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