The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council heard a presentation on March 11 about an arts-centered delinquency prevention and recidivism reduction initiative called the I Was Here project.

Brianna Pursley, director of youth services, outlined a pilot that combines mentoring, community workshops, arts and history-focused storytelling to build self-awareness among court-involved youth and community participants. Pursley said most programs administered by her department are court-involved services (including CASA and juvenile probation and court services) and that the I Was Here pilot includes a community component through parent and guardian empowerment work.

Artist Marjorie Gaon described the project’s origins: she said the installation began in 2016 as a set of “thumbprinted spirit portraits” to honor those whose names were erased, and that the project later received an international public-art award in 2019. Roberta Davis, founder of Operation BU Inc., said her nonprofit for girls ages 10 to 17 partnered with Gaon in spring 2024 to run a "Journey to Find Me" workshop series focused on self-awareness, self-love and legacy.

Two youth participants read narratives to the council. Riley Williams, 13 and a student at Sayers School, read a piece addressed to “America” that framed descendants of nation builders as part of the country's legacy and called for equity. Gabby Gatewood, 10 and a fifth-grader at Dixie Elementary, described herself as a descendant of a nation builder and a dancer and said the program helped her learn more about her ancestors.

Pursley and Davis said the program held seven community workshops across the city and included parent workshops where youth acted as ambassadors to their families. The pilot is currently working with Leestown Middle School’s Kappa Club and planned presentations to the student body. Pursley said the program hopes to involve colleges and universities so students can take workshops, become ambassadors and potentially receive academic credit or community-service recognition.

Council members praised the participants’ public speaking and narrative work. Several members suggested ways to expand outreach and welcomed the idea of peer-to-peer teaching: Pursley described the model as “each one teach one,” noting the program’s intention to be sustainable through a snowball effect of youth teaching youth.

There were no formal council actions attached to the presentation during the work session.