Multimedia & Digital Content

“Home” was created as part of Kentucky to the World’s October 2022 program The State of Song: My Old Kentucky Home Faces a Changing World at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, where Drake sat on a panel with musicians Harry Pickens and Ben Sollee, led in conversation by Emily Bingham, the author of My Old Kentucky Home: The Astonishing Life and Reckoning of an Iconic American Song.

Entrepreneur Rusty Justice, Media Researcher Sam Ford, and Corporate Strategist Vijay Kamineni discuss the need for investment in digital infrastructure as a critical dimension of assuring labor opportunities for Appalachian Americans in the digital economy.

MIT Media Researcher Sam Ford, entrepreneur Rusty Justice, and corporate strategist Venkata “Vijay” Kamenini discuss the importance of lifelong learning and reskilling in today’s digital economy.

The transition from coal miner to tech worker might sound counterintuitive. And for many of Kentucky's legacy miners, it felt that way, too. Pikeville entrepreneur Rusty Justice, Innovation & Technology expert Venkata “Vijay” Kamineni, and MIT Media Researcher Sam Ford discuss how equipping the workforce with an internal narrative focused around a narrative tied to its inherent resilience as an attribute as opposed to the job title itself can set existing and future generations up for successful career trajectories.

Rusty Justice, co-founder of Bit Source, a software and website development company located in Pikeville, KY, describes the journey of many of Bit Source’s employees from coal miner to tech worker.

Cassie Chambers Armstrong, Appalachian author, attorney, and Louisville Metro Council Representative, details the importance of elevating diverse voices coming out of Appalachia.

Cassie Chambers Armstrong explains how being a hillbilly is about having a connection to place.

Hill Women author and Louisville Metro Councilwoman Cassie Chambers Armstrong describes the basis for her "anti-bootstraps narrative" concerning the experiences of corporate extraction and systemic marginalization within Appalachian communities.

As a journalist, Perry Bacon, Jr. has witnessed a dramatic change in the way media is consumed by Americans. From his beginnings in news magazines to cable and network news, he has had to stay ahead of the curve.

Chef Nikkia Rhodes discusses her plans to continue supporting her students and elevating the reputation and image of Kentucky in whatever capacity possible.

Playwright George C. Wolfe discusses the presence of segregation in the early part of his life and the transition to a more inclusive narrative in his career.

Playwright George C. Wolfe discusses the spirit of Kentuckians. He references Kentucky’s civil war history and describes Kentucky as “a place of extreme absolutes and fascinating ambiguity.”

Chef Samantha Fore speaks about the uniqueness of Kentucky stories and the power they hold, saying, "To tell our stories, we have to be unapologetic."

Chef Nikkia Rhodes shares about the Iroquois High School Culinary Academy and career path intended to prepare students for employment in the hospitality industry.

Maker’s Mark Diplomat Thomas Bolton shares about The LEE Initiative, an organization that promotes diversity, equity, and sustainability in the restaurant industry.

Chef Damaris Phillips explains the uniqueness of cooking with bourbon. She shares that all bourbons are different and each dish calls for something different. She also shares some of her favorites to cook with.

Chef Damaris Phillips shares her “must-dos” for those visiting Kentucky for the first time.

Chef Damaris Phillips explores the uniqueness of Kentucky’s culinary identity and discusses the history of Louisville and the influence of Appalachia.

Comic illustrator Tony Moore discusses an experience in Cynthiana, Kentucky as he took reference photos for the Walking Dead. The encounter would later turn into Walking Dead Day in Cynthiana.

Chef Samantha Fore discusses moving back to Kentucky and what it’s like to be a chef in the Commonwealth.

Comic illustrator Tony Moore discusses the influence of country music and Kentucky on his characters.

Comic illustrator Tony Moore shares the influence that being from Kentucky has had on him, his career, and his characters.

Comic Illustrator Tony Moore shares his experience growing up on a farm and how that prepared him for the real nature of the world.

Vicki Phillips, National Geographic Education Officer, shares the importance of teaching soft skills including empathy, community involvement, stewardship, and courage among others.

Finis “KY” White discusses his experience working with Drake and Waka Flocka Flame, including putting his own tag on records and utilizing his connections.

Finis “KY” White shares Kentucky’s contribution to the global music hub of Atlanta. Atlanta was once the hub for music coming out of the south but it is now regarded as a hub for music worldwide.

Sean Cannon explains the unique musical cultures that exist in non coastal cities. Rather than moving to a big city, Sean discusses the importance of showing what this state has to offer.

Finis “KY” White shares what made him who he is: his garage “studio” that he and his friends used in his house as a kid. It was his start to music.

Vicki Phillips, National Geographic Education Officer, talks about leading teachers in Kentucky. “We are recognizing that we have too often not had teachers at the table in really important conversations about how to improve education. Leading the way in a lot of that are Kentucky’s teachers, who are making Kentucky proud.”

Mary T. Meagher shares how she started swimming in Louisville and the rivalry that exists between Plantation Country Club and Lakeside Swim Club.