This reflection explores the tension between stated mission and execution at the 2025 Louisville Urban League Derby Gala — and what it revealed about joy, resistance, and representation.
On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Louisville Urban League hosted its 8th annual Derby Gala — its largest fundraising event of the year. According to the organization’s website, the mission behind the event is to allow donors to continue supporting the progress made toward “transforming Louisville into a more equitable place for everyone to live, work, and thrive.” The evening included dinner, an auction, music by DJ ZNyce and Louisville SLYDE, and the culmination of the night — a performance by Grammy-nominated queer icon Janelle Monáe.
In both the event description and the opening remarks by CEO Lyndon Pryor, the Urban League describes itself as “believing in the power of joy [and wonder…] In moments of conflict and uncertainty, joy is more than a feeling — it’s an act of resistance and a way to reclaim our strength.” Pryor emphasized “creating a revolution of joy,” especially for Black Louisvillians and other marginalized groups. Yet several aspects of the event felt incongruent with that goal — most notably, the decision to allow the DJ to play an entire R. Kelly track from start to finish before Monáe’s set. Given Kelly’s long-documented history of abuse and exploitation, particularly of Black women and girls, this felt like a deeply careless oversight — one that undercut the night’s message of joy as resistance along with other seemingly small, similar moments. In addition, there was no call to action or insight into how Black Louisvillians can access that joy. More specifically, no insight into how the Louisville Urban League plans to create space for that joy and opportunity for Black, queer Louisvillians…