Interview: UofL alumna Taylor Ryan, Founder of Change Today, Change Tomorrow
On this week’s Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, is thrilled to be in dialogue with the inspirational Taylor Ryan, Founder and Director of Change Today, Change Tomorrow (change-today.org/). Taylor was born and raised in Paducah, but now lives in Louisville. She is a UofL Communications alumna with two masters degrees from Marshall University.
She has always been a dynamic and giving part of her community; being involved in various organizations such as New Roots and Empowering Ladies Together. With her focused community connection, Taylor was able to spearhead dozens of impactful projects, including everything from food pantry and hygiene drives, to entire block clean-ups. In addition, Taylor has served as a Community History Fellow at the Filson Historical Society, the Norton Institute for Health Equity’s Community Advisory Board on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in West Louisville, and the Community Advisory Board for Louisville Youth Philanthropic Council. She recently joined the board of the Kentucky Solar Energy Society.
While looking into the needs of her community, Taylor found existing organizations weren’t meeting the mark, either due to a lack of resources or disconnect from the community. Taylor decided to do something about it, and Change Today, Change Tomorrow was founded. Since 2019, CTCT has provided barrier-free access to the community through food justice, educational services, and public health initiatives.
Change Today, Change Tomorrow is a Black woman led non-profit organization in Louisville. Through the main pillars of service, Food Justice, Community Engagement, and Public Health, they provide for the most marginalized communities in the city, because when you show up for the most marginalized, you show up for everyone. They protect, defend, and meet the needs of those who have been counted out. They are a force of disruptors and changemakers that believe in #communitypower. If you’re interested in applying for the working Board of Directors, go to tinyurl.com/CTCTBoard
CTCT's Inaugural 5k Call To Action Walk is Saturday, August 19th 8-11am, starting at Broadway at the Shawnee Park Loop and walking to the only grocery store in the West End to raise awareness about food apartheid. Online registration required.
CTCT's Annual Vegan Cookoff is Saturday, August 19th 2-5pm at The Common Table Garden Café, 1200 South 28th Street. This one-of-a-kind event celebrates health, community, and the fight against food injustice in Louisville's West End. At this vibrant gathering local chefs will present their best vegan dishes to be tasted, enjoyed, and voted on by attendees. But there's more to the event than just mouth-watering vegan cuisine. Attendees will have the chance to pick up free, fresh produce from Cleav's Family Farm, savor in-house made cold-pressed juice, and receive organic supplements and herbal teas from Health Daddy Wow. There will also be free health screenings and resources from a variety of community organizations. It's an afternoon packed full of flavors, health, and community-building you won't want to miss! Details and free tickets at change-today.org
Like Forward Radio, CTCT will be participating in Give For Good Louisville on September 14th! Please donate at giveforgoodlouisville.org
As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW!
Sustainability Now! is hosted by UofL's Sustainability Coordinator, Dr. Justin Mog, and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at forwardradio.org.
Source: Interview: UofL alum Taylor Ryan, Founder of Change Today, Change Tomorrow (Sustainability Now!, Forward Radio 106.5fm, Aug. 14, 2023)
