Creating Awareness, Building Pride
Perhaps one of the most unifying forces in the life and health of any community is the pride it feels for its people and for their achievements. That's the idea behind the Louisville Pride Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to "enhance Louisville's image as an exciting city with tourists, business visitors and people who simply may be passing through."
At a press conference in 2004, Mike Sheehy, president of Louisville Pride Foundation, described the group's goal this way, "… to increase hometown pride and make Louisville a more visually interesting and cooler city." And its highly successful Hometown Heroes campaign does just that by honoring the people and special events that are the very fiber of Louisville.
An All-Volunteer Effort
Launched in 2001 as a non-profit, 501(c)3 entity, the Louisville Pride Foundation is governed by a volunteer board and depends on the support and participation of additional community volunteers as demands require. Its first project, producing jumbo photographic murals of famous Louisvillians for display throughout the city has come to define the Foundation. Known as the Hometown Heroes campaign, the giant photographs, some stretching as high as 50 and 60 feet, were originally displayed on major buildings throughout Louisville's downtown area.
But the program has gained such momentum over the years that the huge banners are now seen in a growing number of suburban locations as well. And seen, they are, from highways and interstates that move traffic in and out and all around the city. Even the "heroes" themselves became more diverse when the Pride Foundation Board recently elected to include the world's most famous horse race, a source of legendary Louisville pride: the Kentucky Derby.
Where do the heroes come from?
Suggestions for Hometown Heroes honorees come from individuals throughout the community as well as from Louisville area businesses. And all suggestions are welcome. However, along with a potential honoree's name, the Pride Foundation Board also requires a sponsorship commitment. This is needed to cover the cost of materials and labor to hang the giant mural when a candidate is selected. What's equally essential is that a building be found where a mural can be displayed for a two-year minimum period.
Candidate + consensus + sponsor + wall = mural is pretty much the formula for a finished Hometown Heroes posting.
Sponsorship Makes Hometown Heroes Happen
The Louisville Pride Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation. There is no paid staff or director. Its board is made up of Louisville business people who volunteer their time, their expertise and often donate the resources of their own companies or employers. Furthermore, recognition of the mural sponsors themselves is minimal. The Board is committed to protect the images of those it honors from even a hint of commercialism or exploitation. In many cases, sponsors have chosen to remain anonymous, and when credits are given, the contributing companies receive minimal exposure.