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Inside OneWest
Second Quarter 2025
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Proud to Be OneWest: Celebrating a Decade of Community Impact
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This summer marked a major milestone as OneWest commemorated 10 years of service to Louisville’s West End. From a series of celebratory events to a critical Metro Budget allocation and the release of our latest impact report, we had a lot to celebrate — and the community showed up in full force.
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Flavor of the Future
Saturday, July 12th from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: 18th Street, between Broadway and Muhammad Ali Boulevard
We wrapped up our anniversary festivities with
Flavor of the Future — a free community party that highlighted a decade of hard work and transformation in the West End.
The event featured a showcase of visionary ideas, thriving local businesses, and exciting projects that have shaped our neighborhoods. It was a joyful afternoon filled with pride, celebration, and hope for the next ten years — and the community made it unforgettable.
What Happened at Flavor of the Future?
There was something for everyone at this vibrant celebration — and best of all, it was free!
Event Highlights Included:
● Bounce houses and face painting for the kids
● Live artists with the Healing Walls Project
● A live DJ and food trucks in the Royal Theater lot — perfect for families
● Chef demos and delicious samples from local chefs near ChefSpace
● Local shops and vendors offering unique products
● A corridor lined with active storefronts and eateries
Special Activities (Pre-Registered):
● Chef Tastings at ChefSpace — 3 sessions with 30 attendees each (90 total spots)
● Comedy shows and tasting sessions that filled up quickly
To learn more about the celebration and OneWest’s decade of impact, visit www.onewest.org.
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OneWest: Honoring a Legacy and Trailblazer for Justice: The J. Michael Brown Building |
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On Saturday, June 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., dignitaries, public officials, and the community gathered at 526 South 18th Street to celebrate the grand opening of a space dedicated not just to progress — but to the legacy of a man who fought for it: J. Michael Brown.
While the building itself does not bear his name, a commemorative plaque and an honorary street sign now stand as lasting tributes to a trailblazer whose life’s work championed justice, equity, and public service. J. Michael Brown was a man of firsts: the first African American to serve as Secretary of the Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet, Deputy Attorney General, and President of the Louisville Bar Association.
His lifelong commitment to public service, indigent defense, and legal leadership helped move our community forward. His dedication to fairness extended to powerful board roles — from the Kentucky State Board of Elections to the West End Opportunity Partnership — where he helped shape policies that advanced both Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, J. Michael Brown’s legacy reminds us: Justice belongs to everyone.
OneWest staff and board members were honored to be in attendance, standing in support of the event and the lasting impact of J. Michael Brown’s contributions to our city and community.
We are especially grateful to Councilman Herndon and his staff, who worked closely with us to ensure that the street in front of the building was named in his honor — a powerful and permanent symbol of his influence, rooted in justice, dignity, and public service.
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InvestWest Bus Tours:
See the Future We’re Building
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On April 17, OneWest re-launched the InvestWest Bus Tour, giving over 30 funders, partners, and community leaders a firsthand look at transformative developments reshaping Louisville’s West End.
This experience is more than a tour — it’s a strategic invitation to invest in equitable growth where it’s long been overdue.
Why Does It Matter? The West End has suffered from decades of underinvestment. OneWest is changing that, channeling capital, partnerships, and visibility into neighborhoods full of potential.
For decades, the West End has been denied the investments it deserves. OneWest is actively addressing this by driving resources, collaborations, and attention into these promising communities, sparking real change.
OneWest's supporters enable the growth of affordable housing, flourishing Black-owned businesses, safer streets, robust neighborhoods, and a blueprint for purposeful and inclusive development.
Be Part of the Movement! We’re seeking partners who believe in justice-based development and measurable community impact. Help fund our anchor projects and support our mission.
Join an upcoming tour: June 12 • September 18 • December 18. Because the future we’re building… you have to see it to believe it. Learn more or contribute at onewest.org
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Built From the Ground Up: West Lou Coffee
Welcome to “Built From the Ground Up,” a new OneWest series spotlighting local entrepreneurs transforming the West End through vision, hustle, and community investment. First up: Sean Roberson of West Lou Coffee.
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Q: What inspired you to start West Lou Coffee?
Sean: I first got into coffee while living in Atlanta, but I always knew I wanted to bring something meaningful back to the West End. I started roasting in 2016, and when I moved home in 2021, I saw a real need for a Black-owned roastery in Louisville.
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Q: How has the move to your new space changed the game?
Sean: It’s been huge. We outgrew Chef Space, and now at 1821 W. Broadway, I’ve got more capacity, another roaster, and room to package and prep everything in-house. I couldn’t have done this without OneWest. Being part of their food accelerator gave me the foundation to grow, and their belief in me helped make this new space a reality.
Q: Tell us about the 10,000 Bag Challenge.
Sean: This is a moment of opportunity. KFC, where I currently work in finance, is relocating nearly 100 jobs from Louisville to Texas. I want to stay and take West Lou full-time — and the 10,000 Bag Challenge is how we get there. Hitting that goal by September 30 would open the door to the next chapter and be a real testament to the West End’s strength and support.
Q: How can people help?
Sean: Buy a bag. Gift one. Tell a friend. If you run a business, let’s talk — I already supply office coffee for several local companies, and you can find West Lou at Rainbow Blossom and Blue Dog Bakery. I’d love to bring that same quality to your team or your shelves. Every purchase helps grow something lasting here in the West End.
Q: What’s next for West Lou?
Sean: Later this year, I hope to open up the space for pickup orders and maybe a retail element. One day, I’d love to grow big enough to replace some of the jobs we’ve lost in the West End — and build something that lasts.
SUPPORT Sean’s journey and be part of the West End’s local economy in action.
Order or learn more at www.westloucoffee.com
Stay tuned for more entrepreneur spotlights in the Built From the Ground Up series.
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OneWest’s Latest Impact Report
Annually, our mission centers on achieving meaningful advancement in the West End's renewal. At OneWest, we are dedicated to converting visions into genuine opportunities.
READ a deep dive on our successes last year in our Impact Report www.onewest.org
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Spotlight on OneWest: In the News & Earning Honors |
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Metro Budget Passage Marks Major Investment in OneWest Projects
OneWest applauds Mayor Greenberg and the Louisville Metro Council for approving $1.2 million in new funding to support commercial revitalization in the West End.
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Dec.19-21, 2025: Winter Wonderland returns for the 4th Year! Sponsorship and company display opportunities available. Contact info@onewest.org |
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Sept. 18, 2025: Get Ready to Give! The 12th annual Give for Good Louisville is almost here — and it’s going to be a fun-filled day of generosity and community impact. Tell your friends, invite your networks, and mark your calendars to support OneWest and other amazing local nonprofits. Together, we’re transforming the West End and beyond! |
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#GiveForGoodLou #ProudToBeOneWest
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