Event Program

The Golden Thread 2025

Welcome!

Sunday, November 2, 2025

3-6pm ET

Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Louisville, KY

Hosted in partnership with Kentucky Performing Arts, The Golden Thread is an annual forum gathering visionary leaders from various sectors to foster unity across cultures and communities in the Commonwealth.

Event Schedule

3:00…The Golden Thread Mainstage Event Begins (Bomhard Theater)

• Welcome from Emcee Silas House

• Welcome from Kim Baker (President & CEO, Kentucky Performing Arts)

3:15...Welcome from RUX Co-Founder Savannah Barrett

3:20…Poetry Performance by Mitchell L. H. Douglas

3:30...Musical Performance by Melanie A. Davis

3:35...The Long Conversation

• Betty Dobson, Lindy Casebier, Dreama Gentry, Luisa Sanchez, Michael Washburn, Tiffany Pyette, Nima Kulkarni, DeShondre Watters, Stacy Edds-Ellis

4:35...Remarks from Secretary of State Michael G. Adams

4:45…Musical Performance by Nicholas Jamerson

5:00...The Gold Standard Reception (Lobby)

• Culinary expressions by Chef James Coogle of the Chef’s Table & Lexus Lounge

• Craft Beverages by Terrapin & Maker’s Mark

6:00...Event Ends

Meet Your Hosts

Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX)

RUX has connected 300 Kentuckians from 65 counties in 17 host communities. RUX members are passionate about their community and want to contribute to community solutions. They equally desire to learn about other communities and are ready to listen deeply, develop meaningful relationships, and lend their own expertise.

Kentucky RUX is an initiative of Art of the Rural, founded in partnership with Appalshop, and is directed by Savannah Barrett, a statewide Steering Committee, our alumni network, and a robust coalition of partners & volunteers. Learn more & support at kyrux.org

Kentucky Performing Arts

Every year, 400,000+ people from throughout Kentucky, the nation, and the world, experience the arts both on and off our stages.

Every year, 400,000+ people from throughout Kentucky, the nation, and the world, experience the arts both on and off our stages.

Much like RUX, KPA believes the arts awaken the shared humanity, empathy, and limitless creativity in everyone. RUX is grateful to be partnering with KPA once again, after working together on the KPA at Home series with Black Soil: Our Better Nature in 2020 and the Hymns to the Holler: A Concert for Appalshop benefit after the catastrophic flooding in Eastern & Southeastern Kentucky in 2022, and cohosting The Golden Thread 2024. Learn more at kentuckyperformingarts.org

Meet Your Emcee

Tap photo read his biography!

Featured Performers (In Order of Appearance)

Tap each photo to read their biographies!

Featured Speakers (In Order of Appearance)

Tap each photo to read their biographies!

Meet our Culinary Curator

Thank you, sponsors!

2025 Presenting Sponsors

Kentucky Performing Arts (KPA) seeks to connect and inspire through the arts. Every year, 400,000+ people from throughout Kentucky, the nation, and the world, experience the arts both on and off our stages.

At Kentucky Performing Arts, we believe art belongs to everyone. We believe in creating experiences that both entertain and educate. We believe in amplifying artistic voices and inspiring creativity. In its 37 year history, our signature education program, the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, has served all 120 Kentucky counties and has more than 8,000 alumni. Learn more at kentuckyperformingarts.org

2025 Contributing Sponsors

Louisville Public Media (LPM) LPM is an independent, community-supported nonprofit serving our community on the web and on the radio through podcasts & community events. Learn more at lpm.org

2025 Supporting Sponsors

2025 Promoting Sponsors

Support RUX

Become a member today and sustain the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX).

Your contributions directly support our annual cohort experience and statewide alumni network. Choose the membership circle and tier that works best for you. Learn more about these membership options at kyrux.org/membership. We are deeply grateful for your support!

In Loving Memory

Joshua David Phillips May

June 20, 1988 - November 10, 2023

Joshua David Phillips May, referred to as “Joshmay,” was a writer, producer, picker and grinner from Magoffin County, and the co-founder of the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange.

His livelihood centered around his passions. He ran sound for Lexington music venue The Tin Roof, and previously worked as Appalshop's Communications & Marketing Director, as Communications Consultant for the Appalachian Media Institute, and as a Producer for June Appal Records. He interned at the Highlander Folk Center and was a member of the Media Action Grassroots Network and the Stay Together Appalachian Youth (STAY) Project.

Josh also ran the DIY record label Karmic Swamp and was a founding member of the worker-owned cooperative Roundabout Music Company in downtown Whitesburg, KY. The multitude of Josh’s endeavors aimed to encourage Appalachian community & culture, and connect Appalachians to other Kentuckians and to the world.

In 2024, the Josh May Memorial Fund created in a microgrant for projects that create, document, or present a musical collaboration that bridges rural and urban Kentucky. In 2024, this microgrant was awarded to Wit’s End Records & Slough Water Records (Calloway Co.) to purchase a digital mixer to record & document performances of regional LGBTQ+ artists and artists from other marginalized groups. In 2025, this microgrant was awarded to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum and the City of Morgantown to plan a music festival honoring Arnold Schultz, a Black musician and influence on the genre.