Martina Barksdale – Director of Communications, VisitLex
Martina Barksdale is a multimedia maven and is currently the Director of Communications for VisitLEX and was formerly the executive producer/TV host for Everyday Kentucky on WKYT.
A graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. While in New York, she worked as a Host/Producer for Big Review TV and has worked as an actress in TV shows, web series, films, and off-Broadway plays. One of the feature films she was in won the Louisville International Film Festival 2018 & and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2019.
Once she moved back to Lexington in 2018, she started a food blog and show called The Sit-in where she shined a light on minority talent, specifically black people in Lexington. She also worked for the Cincinnati Reds as a Game-day Host/Correspondent.
Before moving back to Lexington in August 2021 she was a Host/Producer for Lifestyle Programming at WLBT (NBC affiliate) in Jackson, Mississippi. Currently, she is a co-founder of Soulfeast Week: Celebrating the Black Culinary experience, a Black Restaurant week paired with curated events happening for the fourth year this June.
She’s a huge foodie and enjoys getting the scoop on all the latest foods, drinks, events & and music while continuing to uplift the Black community and move the needle forward.
Major Herron, aka Sensei Nowa – CEO & Founder, The Hip Hop Fraternity Kentucky
Sensei Nowa is a key figure and visionary in Kentucky’s music industry shaping the future of hip-hop and R&B. As the founder of Kentucky HipHop Day, he has created a platform that elevates the state’s musical talent and celebrates the vibrant culture of hip-hop.
His dual role as an artist and A&R for Universal Music Group/Virgin Music, has seen him market notable artists like French Montana, Toosii, and Sauce Walka, leading to millions of streams and significant chart presence for Kentucky artists. His local and global influence in scouting and nurturing talent is unparalleled, as he continues to guide the music industry with his expertise. Additionally, Sensei has signed two promising local artists to Universal Music Group. **Anonimuss Rose**, an R&B artist hailing from Lexington, Kentucky, and. **JB Savage** from Danville, Kentucky, a rapper with raw energy and authenticity. Both artists represent the future of music and stand as a testament to Sensei Nowa’s commitment to discovering and elevating homegrown talent.
As the **CEO of the HipHop Fraternity Kentucky Chapter**, with national leadership from icons like Ice-T, Boosie BadAzz, and Freeway Rick Ross, Sensei Nowa is at the forefront of promoting hip-hop culture and supporting the artistic community in Kentucky. He is also a co-owner of **Rise The Mag Brand**, a diverse enterprise that includes a digital magazine, photography services, and the only storefront recording studio in Kentucky’s capital.
Dale Morgan – President & CEO, Foundation 47
Dale, specializes in financial literacy education, economic and leadership development. he travels the country facilitating workshops and one on one sessions to some of the most underrepresented and underserved communities. His curriculum consists of learning tools, activities, workshops, and concepts backed by federal agencies and PhD professors. Along with his 14 years of professional experience in the Accounting and Finance industry that developed real world personal finance teaching skills. Participants walk away with the skills, knowledge, and the know-how to improve their upward financial mobility and improve their triple bottom line: self, family & friends, and community. His thought-provoking workshops and one-on-one sessions ignite a financial awakening in his participants. His company’s services are an invaluable asset to organizations, community initiatives, and future workforce development. Dale is also an experienced motivational speaker and uses his charisma to connect to audiences all across the social spectrum. He is a true proximate leader who’s words equip his audience with empowerment and inspiration that builds a community of economic resilience to conquer built environment challenges in their communities.
Darius Johnson – Freshman Wide Receiver and Defensive Back Coach, Great Crossing Football and Owner/Manager/CEO Yvngn Entertainment Youth Consultants
Darius Johnson has worked with youth in the Lexington area since 2017. During his tenure at Lafayette High School he began to get involved with the football team and after graduation followed his passions. He started at UK looking for his purpose. Soon after leaving UK he was hired to be an advocate for Youth Advocacy Programs where he served for a year and a half helping youth find autonomy and independence in their journeys. During the pandemic he created a brand focused on education and youth development after seeing the state of Kentucky’s educational report and realizing that youth could fall more behind due to not being in class regularly. As he began to get into the community and see the needs the youth were facing he saw the need and a great opportunity for youth to develop in an environment meant for them to grow. Throughout his journey he has had the opportunity to start coaching professionally and it had allowed him to take my development journey to new heights and realms within the world of sports. For his efforts, Darius was nominated as Mentor of the Year at The Local Blueprint Awards in Lexington. Since starting Yvngn Entertainment and implementing Yvngns Workshop he has been able to help numerous youth within the educational and developmental lanes of life with personal development and athletic development. From educational workshops, painting classes and venting sessions to sports, he can’t wait to help youth explore the many paths that could help them live a purposeful and impactful life.