Why I'm Running

Kenya Wade shares why she’s running for Kentucky House District 44 in Louisville, KY—bringing lived experience, community leadership, and real solutions to families who have been overlooked for too long.

Kenya Wade

1/31/20261 min read

A smiling woman in a stylish red knit dress stands before a wall of campus photography.

I’m running for Kentucky House District 44 because too many families in Louisville are working hard and still struggling to feel safe, supported, and heard. For too long, our community has been overlooked, underinvested, and taken for granted—and people deserve better.

I don’t lead from theory or politics. I lead from real life. As a social worker and nonprofit founder, I’ve worked alongside families dealing with community violence, housing insecurity, mental health challenges, and limited access to opportunity. I’ve seen what happens when systems fail people—and I’ve seen how much stronger our communities are when leaders listen and show up.

I believe real struggles deserve real solutions. That means safer neighborhoods built on prevention, accountability, and trust. It means protecting healthcare decisions so they stay between people and their doctors. It means fighting for strong schools, real economic opportunity, and fair treatment for every person—no matter their zip code.

Most of all, I believe leadership should show up and stay. This campaign is about restoring trust and making sure no one in District 44 feels invisible in the place they call home. I’m running to serve with integrity, put people over politics, and deliver results that make life better for our community.

That’s why I’m running—and I’d be honored to earn your support.