Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!

The Louisville Urban League is proud to present its most prestigious event of the year, the Annual Derby Gala, which took place on May 1, 2024. This year’s theme, “Mardi Gras Louisville,” drew a record-breaking attendance of over 1,300 people, making it an unforgettable night filled with excitement and celebration.

As Louisville marked the 150th Running of the Kentucky Derby, our Gala stood out as the best and most impactful party in town, thanks to the incredible support from our sponsors and community members. Since our last Gala, we’ve made tremendous strides in empowering and uplifting our community. We’ve enrolled over 600 students in intensive tutoring programs, sent hundreds of kids on college tours, assisted more than 300 Black entrepreneurs on their journey to successful business ownership, and seen our craft skills training program, Kentuckiana Builds, graduate its 600th participant. Our housing department has also helped more than 100 people become homeowners for the first time.

This remarkable progress is made possible through the support of individuals like you who participate in events like the Derby Gala. Together, we’re transforming Louisville into a more equitable place for everyone to live, work, and thrive. Mark your calendars for next year’s Gala, set to take place on April 30, 2025. We hope you will join us and continue to invest in this movement. Your presence and support are vital to our mission, and we promise it will be another incredible celebration!

Featured Guests

John Batiste

Jon Batiste is a virtuoso musician, composer, and bandleader known for reinvigorating jazz and soul with his modern style. Born in Kenner, Louisiana, in 1986, his musical journey began at an early age. As the bandleader for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Batiste has gained national recognition, infusing fresh energy into late-night TV. 

His remarkable piano skills, soulful vocals, and the album “Hollywood Africans” have garnered critical acclaim. He is a 20-time Grammy nominee and a 5-time award winner. He is also a recent Oscar nominee for his incredible documentary, “American Symphony.” Batiste’s innovative approach to music transcends genres, making him a captivating and influential figure in contemporary jazz and popular culture.

Manni Fresh

Mannie Fresh is an American record producer, DJ, and rapper. Southern hip-hop wouldn’t sound the way it does without Mannie Fresh. The New Orleans representative earned his stripes on the local DJ circuit in the late 1980s before becoming the primary production force behind the Cash Money Records empire. 

Beginning as the label’s only in-house producer in 1991, he’s received credits for the near-entirety of the label’s output from 1998 to 2004 before his departure. This resulted in 17 songs certified multi-platinum, platinum, or gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Mannie is also a long-time supporter of the National Urban League Movement.