‘Honored and grateful.’ Lexington urban league gets $1M donation from MacKenzie Scott
The Urban League of Lexingon-Fayette County has been given a $1 million donation from philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott, the organization announced Monday.
The group is a chapter of the National Urban League. The Lexington chapter was created in 1968 and it addresses issues surrounding racial inequality in Central Kentucky.
The donation is the Lexington urban league’s largest single contribution in the affiliate’s 54-year history. President and CEO of the league P.G. Peeples said the money will be put towards the expansion of programs and resources already in place. They will also explore some new some opportunities, Peeples said.
“We’re honored and grateful that Ms. Scott and her team have recognized the Urban League’s value and impact to the community,” Peeples said. “By placing racial equity and social justice at the forefront of her philanthropic mission, Ms. Scott is shining a much-needed spotlight on the nation’s structural and institutional limitations and helping to build a stronger, more resilient society for everyone.”
Scott, who was married to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos until 2019, has donated billions of dollars of her fortune since the two divorced.
The league is one of 25 affiliates around the country who received similar donations from Scott. Jefferson County Public Schools recently received a $20 million donation from Scott, according to WHAS11 in Louisville.
This story was originally published October 31, 2022 at 11:08 AM.
