Twenty local professionals graduated from the Henderson Leadership Initiative Thursday night at the Preston Arts Center.
Before they were handed their certificates, though, four groups made up of the future fellows presented their plans to improve some aspects of the community.
It was the 15th graduating class of HLI, which according to a release from the organization, is responsible for 280 fellows, many now in leadership roles throughout the city and county.
The projects of the groups included a Virtual Citizens Academy, new signage for the Women’s Honor Court, a Life Launch Conference that will strive to educate young people about financial literacy, and myky.info kiosks to be placed around town to help people connect with needed resources. Here’s a roundup.
- The Virtual Citizens Academy aims to improve the citizen knowledge about the workings of the city and county government. The members of this group hope that they can produce 8-10 videos about different agencies within both governments, which could lead to more community involvement in governmental affairs.
According to an HLI release, the videos will be available to the public by October and will be virtually accessible. Citizens will be notified of completion via social media platforms.
Group member David Wright said they will be accessible, understandable and engaging.
In addition to Wright, members included Holly Gold, Erin Spence and Travis Girten.
- Dillon Herdegen, a member of the group that has placed a large sign in front of the Women’s Honor Court, said members believe the honor court “may be the only one of its kind.” Members say that’s one reason to better publicize the park-like area at 16 S. Water St., which many people seem to walk by without noticing.
Founded by Jule McClellan, the WHC celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024. The honor court includes two granite slabs on which the names of many, many local women are etched. It also features highlighted honorees, including Mary Willie Arvin, Lucy Bakewell Audubon, Mary Towles Sasseen Wilson, Susan Starling Towles, Thelma Banks Johnson, Joan Frields Hoffman, Bobbie Weathers Jarrett and Marianne Cascio Walker.
“It was clear we need to help bring it more visibility,” Herdegen said.
HLI said this group of class members worked with local businesses and experts to create a powder-coated, backlit sign which was installed in the court last week.
In addition to Herdegen, members include Tiffany Darnell, Logan Hazelwood, Levi Johnston and Warner Mattingly.
- Members of the group that have planned an April Life Launch Conference say they had no idea how to handle their money or how to grow rich when they were high school or college age. They hope to change that for young people in the community.
“We need to know these things so we can build our wealth and thrive,” said group member Mallory Kramer.
To educate people on these matters, the Life Launch Conference will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 3 at the Henderson Community College Cyber Café.
The group has recruited, or is recruiting, local experts to take on the topics “Best Bank for your Buck,” “How to Retire Rich,” “Ways to Cover your Assets (Insurance)” and “Tax Talk.”
They hope that the conference can be a yearly event.
In addition to Kramer, members include Hattie Hancock, Molli Johnson and Rohdene Rollins.
- The inspiration for the myky.info kiosks came from an experience Dr. Kate Baker had after she’d first moved her practice to town. She said a man came into her office with a load of paperwork and needed help. And not chiropractic help. He needed a place to stay. And he didn’t speak much English.
Years later, the myky.info kiosks that will be placed at the Henderson County Public Library, Henderson Community College and the Housing Authority of Henderson aim to connect many in the community with the resources they need.
These kiosks have a web-based app that will allow users in need of free local resources and services to easily access information with the click of a button. There will be a ribbon-cutting and demonstration of the kiosks at the Henderson County Public Library 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Group member Emily Hurt said the kiosks will empower people to help themselves and “create a more connected and compassionate community.”
Baker and Hurt were joined by Sarah Bryant, Shanda Dixon, Kate Pride, Lindsay Thompson and Alyssa Vandiver.
