To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Kentucky Humanities, in partnership with the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet and the Louisville Free Public Library, will host Louisville’s own musical group Linkin’ Bridge in conversation with inspirational speaker and humanities scholar Aminata Cairo on Friday, July 15th at 6:30 p.m. (EDT). The group will discuss storytelling through song and the lessons we learn from each other’s stories in a world that is often fraught with division.

The event will be held at the Downtown Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library, 301 York Street in Louisville, and with reservation is free to the public. 

Linkin’ Bridge, the popular Louisville quintet who found fame on the 11th season of NBC's America’s Got Talent, are best known for their warm harmonies and emotional performances which are driven by their passion for music. The group is comprised of Montre Davis, Shon "China" Lacy, Ralph "Big Rome" Kimbrough, James Crawford III, and beatboxer, Raul Lopez. The group’s mission: to spread peace, love, and joy to all who will receive it. Linkin' Bridge is the bridge that links people together through music.

Aminata Cairo is a storyteller, scholar, and sought-after speaker and consultant on diversity and inclusion issues. She holds many titles including mother, daughter, sister, and Lector of African descent in the Applied University system in the Netherlands. She engages people, communities, and organizations to implement positive change and communicate the message that every story has value.

“We could not have a state-wide 50^th anniversary celebration without a visit to Louisville,” said Kentucky Humanities Executive Director Bill Goodman. “Kentucky Humanities is always excited to partner with the many outstanding libraries throughout Kentucky and we are thrilled to bring this event to the Downtown Branch. We look forward to an evening that will include important conversations through the lens of music and storytelling.”

Since 1972, Kentucky Humanities has provided the Commonwealth with programs and services that create a legacy of pride in the wealth of Kentucky culture, build civic engagement and support local humanities events. Kentucky Humanities has invested more than $16 million in public programs for Kentuckians and the organization has provided funding for more than 18,000 public humanities programs that are held in familiar community settings and reach every corner of the Commonwealth.

Kentucky Humanities programs and services include Kentucky Chautauqua^®, Prime Time Family Reading^®, grants for community events/projects, Museum on Main Street, Kentucky Reads, Kentucky Humanities magazine, Speakers Bureau, Think Humanities podcast, Think History radio segments, the Kentucky Book Festival, and KBF School Days.

A year-long celebration is planned to commemorate Kentucky Humanities’ 50^th Anniversary including six regional public events, 50 Faces of the Humanities videos revealed each week, special issues of Kentucky Humanities magazine, and Instagram takeovers by humanities students at Kentucky colleges and universities.

This event, and all Kentucky Humanities’ 50^th Anniversary events, are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Visit https://www.kyhumanities.org/about-us/50th-anniversary/anniversary-events to register. Registration for Harmonizing Stories opens on Wednesday, June 1st.