BRIGHT KY 2025: Community Spirit and Renewed Energy in London and Corbin
Written by Eric Edwards, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communication, Union Commonwealth University
Our BRIGHT session in London and Corbin opened at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, where we began by sharing recent successes and career insights from our cohort. Many celebrated promotions, professional wins, and new opportunities that continue to strengthen the region. Ron Nichols, Park Historian, guided our team on a tour of the Levi Jackson park and museum, providing context on the area’s history before we traveled downtown to Corbin. There, we connected with BRIGHT alumni during a networking event at The Vault, enjoyed lively conversations while walking up Main Street to The Wrigley, and ended the day with excellent food, community spirit, and renewed energy.
The following morning, we traveled to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and heard about the falls with Park Director and BRIGHT alumna Maggy Monhollen, who highlighted both the significance of the site and its future potential. After lunch at the lodge, we returned to the visitors center for a session with Dr. DJ Washington of Union Commonwealth University, who spoke on Barbourville’s growth and revitalization.
A panel of elected officials and community leaders then offered powerful insights on federal, state, and local advocacy, featuring Senator Scott Madon, Representatives Tom O’Dell Smith and Nick Wilson, Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus, and Assistant City Manager and BRIGHT alum Jacob Roan. The afternoon continued with conversations around public health and harm reduction, a reverse brainstorming exercise with Area Development District leaders, and small business development and resilience strategies.
Later in downtown Corbin, Rodney Kuhl, Director of the Kentucky Small Business Development Center in Southeastern Kentucky, addressed Kentucky Small Business Development and Resilience. This seamlessly transitioned into the BRIGHT alumna Kellene Turner’s presentation on a creative place-making tour. Turner showcased how art and advocacy are revitalizing Main Street and strengthening community identity. The evening concluded with an opportunity to explore the Corbin Night Market.
On our final day, we gathered at Corbin’s City Hall. We started with building a whole human workforce, lead by Kirsten Wilburn (Program Director, Eastern Kentucky Runway Project, BRIGHT Alum 2023), Danna Barnett (Project Manager, Social Enterprise Accelerator) and Chris Partin (Outreach and Retention Project manager). This was followed by Sam McKown, President/CEO of the Kentucky Coal Association, who spoke on the evolving Kentucky coal industry. The cohort then heard a keynote from Chief Justice Debra Lambert of the Kentucky Supreme Court. The session closed with reflections, thank-you notes, and a preview of our next session.
