The West Louisville (KY) Dream Team was founded in 2012 with the mission to work collectively within the community to bring about positive changes for residents and business owners. The group’s four areas of concern are resident life, advocacy, business support and economic development. Group projects include working to eliminate the community’s food scarcity status. Three grocery stores in West Louisville serve more than 100,000 people, many of whom are without personal transportation. The group is also advocating for more funding for the city’s transportation system. In the area of business development, the group organized the community’s first trade show, hosted business workshops and created an online business directory. The group is also battling environmental injustices in the community that include poor air, soil and water quality due to toxic industries. The group also partners with other groups on projects that include helping residents detect and report lead in their homes.
Shaun Spencer (holding scissors), President of the West Louisville Dream Team, welcomes a new business to the community. (Photo courtesy of the West Louisville Dream Team Facebook page)
West Louisville comprises nearly a dozen neighborhoods bordering the Ohio River in Kentucky and was the boyhood home to boxer Muhammad Ali. The area is facing several environmental issues. Rubbertown, an industrialized complex that houses a cluster of chemical manufacturing facilities, is located in the area. As a result, residents are dealing with water and soil contamination and toxic air. The area is among the top American cities for greenhouse gas emissions. Kentucky’s world-famous bourbon industry also has contributed to the area’s environmental issues: “angel’s share” or the ethanol vapor released during the liquor’s aging process, spews into neighborhoods, and a fungus that feeds off the vapor, creates a black soot-like substance that covers cars and homes. The all-volunteer West Louisville Dream Team partners with other organizations to fight the environmental injustices in their area.