GLI engages in advocacy at all levels of government, but works especially closely with local government to ensure a business-friendly environment. Over the next few months, we will highlight members of Louisville Metro Council to help our investors learn a bit more about their background and priorities. GLI is a non-partisan agency, and these posts are for educational purposes only.

SHAMEKA PARRISH-WRIGHT

District (number and neighborhoods you represent):

• District 3, which includes all of Shively, and parts of the following neighborhoods: Algonquin/Park Hill, Cloverleaf, Hallmark, Jacobs, Northwest Rockford, Oakdale-Wyandotte, South Louisville, St. Denis, and Taylor Berry.

Social media handles/contact information:

• louisvilleky.gov/district3, 502-574-1103, [email protected] and Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright on Facebook and Instagram.

Day job/ professional experience:

• Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright is the Executive Director of VOCAL-KY (Voices of Community Activists and Leaders) a newly launched organization dedicated to ending AIDS, the failed drug war, mass incarceration and homelessness by building the political power of people directly impacted by those issues, which includes herself. She was driven to seek this office because she passionately believes people like herself, who have experienced poverty and homelessness, need representation the most. With over 25 years of community organizing and social justice work, Shameka is a proven connector and bridge builder that works across lines of difference to support better progressive policies that improve and save lives. Her unshakable commitment to improving lives shapes the policies she drafts and sponsors. Shameka has many certifications, years of consulting and training experiences. She attended the University of Louisville and has a degree in Human Services. She was the Co-Chair of the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression during the Justice for Breonna Taylor movement, which helped her be a valuable resource during Louisville’s most recent civil rights movement. She now serves as an advisor to KAARPR. She was appointed to the Human Relations Commission by the Mayor of Louisville in 2008 and served two terms. Additionally, Shameka has held, and still holds, leadership positions with many organizations such as: Kentucky Jobs with Justice, La Casita Center Board, The Coalition for The Homeless, The Anne & Carl Braden Memorial Center, Louisville Books to Prisoners Program, Justice Now, The Sowers of Justice Network, Feed Louisville and The Louisville Family Justice Advocates, the Kentucky Reproductive Freedom PAC and the Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research. All of her work is dedicated to ending racist practices and dismantling poverty.
  

Years of service on Louisville Metro Council:

• Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was elected to serve District 3 in November 2023. In 2024, she serves as a member of the Public Safety, Government Oversight/Audit & Appointments, and Budget Committees.

What is the most important issue facing Louisville? 

• The several issues currently facing Louisville cannot be addressed as single issues. They are all connected—we are facing racism, lack of services and support for seniors and young people, little support for small business owners, public transportation issues, poverty, substance use disorder, housing insecurity, climate change and sustainability issues are just some of the issues identified by the people in D3. In solving these problems, we must implement innovative, holistic solutions, like a housing-first policy approach. If we would like to see economic development, first, all our neighbors must have a safe, dry, clean, pest free, permanent living space.

What is your top local priority in 2024?

• Ultimately, my top priority for this office is to draft and pass local legislation that saves and improves the lives of all Louisville residents. The lion’s share of policy handled at the city-level involves budgeting public dollars. If we are going to solve big problems, like homelessness, we must allocate resources not to band-aid fixes, but to long-term solutions, like getting pathways to homeownership and getting property into the hands of our poor people, young people, justice involved people, and those managing substance use disorders.

What role can the business community play in helping Louisville grow?

• Business owners have a huge responsibility to our community. As a former small business owner, I prided myself in paying a livable wage to all independent contractors and retirees that helped me grow my business over the years. Anyone who has worked on my three campaigns for public office was also paid $25 per hour. I ask our business leaders to pay a living wage (at least $15 to $25/hour) to all employees, as well as to provide paid parental leave and comprehensive health insurance. I am aware this is a massive undertaking, and I am not asking business owners to do it alone. In our annual budget, I would like to incentivize businesses for paying living wages and providing expansive benefits. We must also address our city’s aging infrastructure. We need businesses to do HVAC, pipefitting, electrical work, plumbing, sidewalk repairs, and road repaving. The Louisville Metro Government hires contractors for public infrastructure projects, and we need a wide variety of businesses for this essential work. I am asking businesses to commit to their employees, and to our community. Whatever your business may do, I think the most important contribution is paying your employees well and hiring folks from the community. Additionally, please consider doing pro-bono work, incentivizing community service for employees, hosting neighborhood cleanups, and being a holistic partner to metro government at every turn.