Adventurous Minds Produce Extraordinary Dreams (Amped)

At Amped Music Academy, we believe every young creative deserves a space where they feel safe, supported, and connected. Our program fosters artistic growth, skill-building, teamwork, and mentorship, helping youth express themselves, gain the confidence and tools they need to strengthen their communities and shape their futures. With support from the Humana Foundation, we’ve developed a best practice guide to help youth programs create environments where young people truly belong. By prioritizing social and emotional well-being, we can build stronger, more connected communities. Read the best practice guide here: https://lnkd.in/gcXeb4xu

RTBI 2025 Founder Spotlight Michelle Young: Health Careers Training Institute Meet Michelle Young, CEO and founder of Health Careers Training Institute (HCTI)! Founded in 2021 to address Kentucky’s high demand for Nurse Assistants, HCTI has since expanded to offer Phlebotomy and other healthcare training programs. Serving Louisville, KY, and Southern Indiana, HCTI provides affordable, accelerated pathways to prepare students for careers in various healthcare settings. Michelle, a Registered Nurse with over a decade of experience, is passionate about healthcare education. She holds degrees in Nursing, Political Science, and Business Administration, including an MBA. As the owner of CPR Now!, she also leads life safety and CPR training in Kentuckiana. Through engaging, hands-on instruction, Michelle helps students tap into their potential while instilling compassion, respect, and excellence. She also runs “Ms. Michelle’s Monthly Motivation,” inspiring future healthcare professionals. Learn more and enroll at: https://www.hctiky.com/

Join us for lunch and discover how Amped is creating opportunities through creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship on March 25th from 12-1 PM! This is a great chance to learn more about Amped and explore ways you can get involved. We hope you can join us! RSVP today at this link: https://onecau.se/_8g9yx1

RTBI 2025 Founder Spotlight Pamela Williams, PHR, MS: CorpEx, LLC Meet Pamela Williams, founder of CorpEx, LLC, a trusted management consulting firm that has been helping businesses thrive since 2015! With expertise in leadership development, DEI training, HR consulting, and business coaching, CorpEx is dedicated to building stronger, more inclusive workplaces and helping organizations increase retention, enhance team performance, and stay HR compliant. What sets CorpEx apart? Pamela and her team take a hands-on, strategic approach, offering tailored consulting services that meet each business’s unique needs. Whether it’s executive coaching, board strategic planning, or talent acquisition, CorpEx is committed to empowering businesses and their workforce for long-term success. Looking to level up your organization? Learn more about CorpEx, LLC at www.corpexintl.com!

Join us for our Music Academy Midway Student Showcase on Sunday March 23rd from 4-6pm! Come support our young musicians and see firsthand the incredible progress our students have made this semester as they showcase their hard work, talent, and passion for music. See you there!

RTBI 2025 Founder Spotlight Toya Traynor: Truth Tax & Accounting, LLC Truth Tax & Accounting, LLC is a one-woman powerhouse dedicated to providing individuals and businesses with expert financial services. As a full-service financial firm, they are committed to being a one-stop financial shop. Individuals can access services like tax filing and insurance solutions, while businesses receive end-to-end support—from registration and payroll to bookkeeping and tax planning. Looking ahead, the firm aims to expand into funding assistance and patent and trademark solutions. Toya is also passionate about financial education, offering tax software for individuals and businesses looking to manage their own tax filings, as well as her Tax Academy Online. Her academy is designed to help people of all experience levels understand the ins and outs of taxes, whether for personal or business purposes. To learn more about Truth Tax & Accounting, LLC and how they can assist you visit: https://truthtaxes.com/

The Dream Maker Awards are back and we're amping it up for 2025! New venue, new energy, and an unforgettable night under the stars at Progress Park Airstream Resort & Event Venue on June 13, 2025! Join us as we celebrate Amped, our programs, our community, and the incredible impact we’re making together—with great food, music , live & silent auctions, and a night of inspiration! Tickets are live now at: https://onecau.se/_82puh1 #dreammakerawards2025

We're building a strong base at the Amped Tech & Learning Center, laying a foundation that ensures sustainability, strength, and resilience for generations to come. See firsthand how the Amped Tech & Learning Center is creating opportunities, empowerment, and lasting impact in West Louisville and beyond by joining us for lunch at our next Open House Tour on March 25th from 12-1 PM to learn more about this transformative project! RSVP at: https://onecau.se/_8g9yx1 Read more about the Tech & Learning Center at: https://lnkd.in/dcMJFwe5

Meet RTBI 2025 Founder Mikesha Thomas: PCI Media and Co PCI Media and Co is dedicated to promoting community resources through a weekly print and digital newspaper, The Underground Lou, which is free to the public. They also feature in-person interviews called Saturdays With Mikesha, where business leaders, artists, and community members share their insights. hey coordinate monthly networking events on the last Saturday of each month, established and host The Black Owned Business & Excellence Awards and produce a variety of events across Kentucky , featuring red carpet interviews. Their weekly newsletter is delivered to over 50 locations around Louisville, KY, and has over 7,000 online subscribers. PCI Media and Co has been featured at high-profile events, including the YMCA Black Achievers Celebration, DC Enterprise’s 7th Annual NYE Celebration, Change Today Change Tomorrow Black Recharge Hair Show, The Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana Fundraising Gala, the Latin Music Awards Kentucky, and much more. Mikesha is dedicated to informing the community about valuable resources available to them while highlighting Black-owned businesses at free or affordable rates. Her goal is to help these businesses grow, gain visibility, and ensure accessibility for all. With decades of experience in the media industry, Mikesha continues to serve as a powerful advocate for local businesses and the community at large. To learn more, view the latest edition of The Underground Lou at: https://lnkd.in/e4peHPcW

It’s takes a village to do this work and we are so grateful to have Louisville Urban League (LUL) and Louisville Small Business Development Center as partners in supporting small businesses in the community!!