LEX Locals

LEX LOCALS | SEASON 2

Chester Grundy | Retired Founder/Director MLK Cultural Center, University of Kentucky

Chester Grundy is a lifelong educator and cultural arts activist. He is the founder and first director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center at the University of Kentucky, which has, since its inception in 1987, presented a broad array of cultural/educational programs, including lectures, concerts, dance performances, theater, film programming, study/travel experiences, and exhibits. Under his leadership, the center has presented such cultural giants as Muhammad Ali, Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee, Maya Angelou, Bishop Desmond Tutu, The Boys Choir of Harlem, Spike Lee, Alex Haley, The Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, and many, many more. He was also a co-sponsor of UK’s celebrated Spotlight Jazz Series, the nation’s longest-running collegiate jazz series, which, over its 33-year history, drew widely diverse regional audiences to Lexington to experience the best in jazz artistry, performances, and workshops. He is also a member of the Origins Jazz Series collective, which produced the Equinox Jazz Festival in March, 2025, as part of the Lex250 Celebration.

Mr. Grundy was the co-founder of Lexington’s heralded Roots & Heritage Festival and served as coordinator of its Stage 1 for sixteen years. With the support of his wife, Ann, he has, for 53 years, provided the artistic vision and program leadership for the annual city-wide celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, a highly acclaimed observance which, each year, attracts more than 3,500 people to an uplifting, progressive tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mandy Higgins | Executive Director of Lexington History Museum

A Kentuckian by birth and a Lexingtonian by choice, Dr. Amanda L. Higgins is the executive director of the Lexington History Museum. Mandy earned her Ph.D. in US History with a concentration on mid-20th-century social movements from the University of Kentucky in 2013. She has secured nearly 1.5 million dollars in museum-related grants.

In August 2023, after being closed to the public for more than a decade, Mandy and her team opened the reimagined Lexington History Museum at the Thomas Hunt Morgan House in downtown Lexington. You can hear Mandy on Lex Talk History on WUKY with Alan Lytle. Mandy serves on the Mayor's 250Lex Commission, the board of advisors for Black Yarn, the Lexington Forum board, and the steering committee for A Sense of Place.

When she's not working to make museums better or share history with the Lexington community, you can find Mandy enjoying live music, sipping patio drinks, reading, or cheering on the Wildcats with her husband and two daughters. 

Cameron Jones | Director of Sales and Marketing for LexLive

Cameron Jones didn’t just step into Lexington’s entertainment scene, he’s been performing in it for years. As Director of Sales and Marketing at LexLive, Cameron helps power downtown’s go-to destination for movies, bowling, dining, and big-night-out energy. But long before the previews roll and the pins start flying, many Lexingtonians recognize him for another iconic role.

For the past 14 years, Cameron has taken center stage as Michael Jackson in Lexington’s annual Thriller Parade. Red jacket. White glove. Signature spin. What began as a performance became a tradition — one that draws hundreds of dancers downtown each year to celebrate the King of Pop and transform the streets into a full-blown zombie dance floor.

That same showmanship and love for bringing people together carries into his work at LexLive. Whether he’s coordinating a major corporate event, breaking world records, or welcoming families for a night out, Cameron understands that great entertainment is about more than spectacle: it’s about shared experience.

Mario Maitland | Content Creator for iHeart and Kentucky Sports Radio

Mario Maitland didn’t just find Lexington — he made it part of his story. Originally from Long Island, New York, with a childhood that took him through Daytona Beach, Florida, Mario arrived in Lexington as a University of Kentucky Wildcat fan long before he became a UK graduate. His love for the Big Blue Nation eventually took him from cheering in the stands to telling the stories of the people who make our world interesting.

After earning his degree from UK’s College of Arts & Sciences, Mario turned a classroom podcast project into something much bigger: “What’s Next with Rio,” a show that blends inspiration, curiosity, and conversation to spotlight intriguing voices from athletes and entrepreneurs to musicians and thought leaders. What began as an experiment with interview techniques quickly became his mission to spread positivity and meaningful connection in a world where everyone seems to shout — but not always listen.

Whether he’s chatting with a WNBA star, partnering with local radio shows, or exploring the next story worth telling, Mario’s heart for Lexington comes through in every mic check and episode tagline: there’s always something new and inspiring around the corner. 

LEX LOCALS | SEASON 1

Lisa Lourie | Spy Coast Farm

Lisa Lourie is the visionary behind Spy Coast Farm, a premier sport-horse breeding and training operation in Lexington, Kentucky. A former ICU nurse turned entrepreneur, Lisa entered the equestrian world after her daughter began riding, eventually transforming that passion into a world-class breeding and research enterprise. At Spy Coast, she focuses on developing exceptional American-bred sport horses — emphasizing temperament, soundness, and performance — while also investing in education, rehabilitation, and innovation for the next generation of horsemen and women.

As one of the first sport-horse farms to join Horse Country, Spy Coast Farm welcomes visitors eager to experience the heart of Lexington’s equine culture up close. Lisa’s journey from healthcare to horse country reflects the entrepreneurial, community-minded spirit that makes the Bluegrass region—and our locals—so inspiring.

Sean & Tia Edwards | Fresh Bourbon

Sean and Tia Edwards are shaking up Kentucky’s signature spirit in bold new ways. As the founders of Fresh Bourbon—a Lexington-based, Black-owned brand—they’ve crafted a unique recipe that leans into rare honey malt for a smooth, modern flavor. Their journey is fueled by a love of community and a belief that bourbon should be welcoming to everyone—from longtime connoisseurs to first-time sippers.

Whether they’re welcoming visitors to a tasting, speaking about the future of bourbon, or sharing their journey as entrepreneurs, Sean and Tia bring an energy that’s every bit as bold and refreshing as the spirits they produce. Their work not only adds a new chapter to Lexington’s bourbon story but also makes space for more people to see themselves in Kentucky’s signature spirit.

Wylie Caudill | Artist

Wylie Caudill is a Lexington-based muralist and visual artist whose work has become a colorful staple of our city’s creative scene. Best known for his vibrant flower murals and bold geometric designs, Wylie transforms blank walls into inviting spaces that spark joy and community connection. His art can be found throughout downtown Lexington and beyond, turning everyday streetscapes into landmarks that celebrate the city’s energy and creativity. Passionate about making art accessible to all, Wylie often collaborates on community projects that bring people together through color, pattern, and imagination.

Ashley Smith | Black Soil KY

Ashley Smith is the visionary co-founder of Black Soil KY, an organization dedicated to reconnecting Kentuckians to our Black heritage and legacy in agriculture. Through farm tours, community events, and partnerships with local growers, Ashley is cultivating opportunities for education, economic empowerment, and deeper connections between urban and rural communities.

Her passion for storytelling and sustainability shines through in every project, inviting locals and visitors alike to experience Kentucky’s agricultural richness in a new way. Whether she’s hosting a farm-to-table dinner or speaking about the importance of food equity, she brings people together through food, heritage, and hospitality.

Toa Green | Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream

Toa Green is the passionate founder and owner of Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream in Lexington, Kentucky—a beloved local brand known for its creative, small-batch flavors made with high-quality, Kentucky-sourced ingredients.

A first-generation Thai American, Toa turned a simple dessert served at her family’s Thai restaurant into a thriving business that celebrates community, sustainability, and the joy of gathering around something sweet. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to local partnerships have made Crank & Boom a standout in Lexington’s food scene and a symbol of how heart, heritage, and innovation can come together in every scoop.

Gareth Evans & Seth Murphy | Tahlsound

Through a conversation with Seth Murphy and Gareth Evans, this feature spotlights Lexington’s creative music scene and the magic of Tahlsound—a grassroots concert series transforming Southland Drive into a hub for live, local music.

Founded in 2017 by four local musicians—Seth Murphy, Gareth Evans, Brandon Pittard, and Chris Smith—Tahlsound is a community-powered, pay-what-you-can music series that celebrates the rich cultural legacy of one of Lexington’s most storied neighborhoods. With a focus on regional talent, genre-spanning performances, and neighborhood connection, Tahlsound is as much about community as it is about music.

Tahlsound’s events—typically held on the Oleika Temple Great Lawn at 302 Southland Drive—feature local food, drinks, artisans, a kids’ corner, and of course, incredible music from Lexington and beyond. It showcases everything we love about our local music scene—homegrown talent, community, and connection. Head to Tahlsound.com for scheduled performances.

Leandra Forman & Kristin Hughes | FoodChain

Leandra Forman and Kristin Hughes, executive directors of FoodChain, are redefining what it means to connect a community through food. This dynamic nonprofit is a hub for sustainable agriculture, food education, and hands-on learning—empowering people with the tools to grow, prepare, and enjoy fresh, healthy meals regardless of income. From their innovative indoor aquaponics farm to their vibrant teaching kitchen, FoodChain is creating a more just and equitable local food system.

This May 21–23, FoodChain’s signature event, F.E.A.S.T., joins the Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit for a multi-day celebration of local food, farms, and the incredible women shaping our food system. Tickets available at FoodChainLex.org.

Chef Paula Endara | The Manchester: Granddam + Lost Palm

Chef Paula Endara, originally from Quito, Ecuador, leads the culinary charge at two restaurants located at The Manchester: Granddam, the flagship restaurant featuring culturally inspired Bluegrass Cuisine, and Lost Palm, the rooftop drinking parlor that boasts an impressive array of Latin inspired share plates. A James Beard Foundation Bootcamp alum with over 13 years in the hospitality industry, Endara's diverse experience includes avant-garde training at the Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastián, Spain, worked at a nomad restaurant concept in Quito in collaboration with Amazonian farmers, and founded Roots Restaurant in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Currently, she is showcasing her culinary talents as a contestant on Season 22 of Bravo's "Top Chef: Destination Canada," which premiered on March 13, 2025.

Albert Lukonga | ALBERT COUTURE

Albert Lukonga is the visionary behind ALBERT COUTURE, a premier fashion house based in Lexington, Kentucky. Known for his impeccable craftsmanship and eye for detail, Albert brings a bold, international flair to the heart of the Bluegrass. His designs effortlessly blend elegance with innovation, offering bespoke pieces that reflect both personal style and timeless sophistication. With ALBERT COUTURE, Lukonga is redefining luxury fashion in Lexington, one custom creation at a time.

Erin Goins | Bites of the Bluegrass

Erin Goins is the founder of Bites of the Bluegrass, Lexington’s premier food tour experience that takes guests on a culinary journey through the city’s vibrant dining scene. Passionate about local flavors and rich history, Erin curates guided walking tours that showcase Lexington’s best restaurants, hidden gems, and unique dishes—all while sharing stories that connect food, culture, and community. Enjoy this LEX Locals episode where Erin shares what she loves about the city we call home.

Photography by Matt Malicote | Video Production by Branded 78 | Illustrations by Ben Runco