Women of Distinction

Dawn Walters is a celebrated former University of Kentucky (UK) cheerleader, coach, and entrepreneur whose contributions have left a lasting impact on and the cheer and dance community. As a student-athlete, Walters played a pivotal role in UK’s cheerleading history, helping the Wildcats secure their first national championship in 1985.

Belle Townsend (she/they) is a poet, advocate, political organizer, researcher, baker, and multi-media artist from rural Henderson, Kentucky. Now living in Louisville, KY, Belle uses poetry to make personal experiences accessible and relatable, offering comfort and connection to a broad audience. Her work is especially geared toward those with short attention spans, limited reading capacity, or no academic background, ensuring their stories are both digestible and meaningful.

Tanelle is currently Associate Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development for Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), after previously serving as Executive Director of Workforce Talent Development. She serves as President of the Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) and was previously YPAL’s Director of Professional Development.

In this special edition of The Ricochet Effect Podcast, we celebrate the visionary leadership of Cynthia Bohn, the driving force behind Equus Run Vineyards located in Midway, KY.

Vera Mabson is Singer-Songwriter, Poet, Choir Director, Praise Dancer, DancerMother, Psychology educator, Paraeducator for Fayette County Public Schools and Seamstress from Lexington Kentucky

Jennifer Reynolds loves meeting new people and working with diverse populations. She was elected to the 11th District’s Urban County Council in November 2018. She was the outreach director with Bluegrass Youth Ballet after starting a bilingual outreach program in the 11th District’s Valley Park in 2013. Jennifer is also fluent in Spanish and a qualified medical interpreter.

Karyn Czar is an award-winning news reporter for WUKY. Karyn Czar received a bone marrow transplant as part of her treatment for multiple myeloma. Karyn has openly shared details of her story. She has talked about how the mental and emotional challenges too often obscured by the physical recovery process. She shares her story in hopes of ending the stigma associated with talking openly about physical and mental health issues related to healing.

Angela C. Evans made history in 2022 when she was sworn in as the first African American county attorney in Kentucky. A native of Lexington, Evans is the Fayette County Attorney. With a heart for service and justice, Angela works to ensure political candidates, businesses and individuals abide by the same rules and are treated fairly by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Claudia Love Mair is the author of 13 books, including the upcoming, Mourning Pages, from Broadleaf Books (2025). She holds an MFA in Writing from Spalding University and is the Coordinator for the Carnegie Center's Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative (KBWC). Claudia Love is also the co-host of the Abbey of the Arts Lift Every Voice Book Club, which features books in the Christian contemplative tradition by BIPOC authors.

Marilyn Clark is the Economic Inclusion Manager for the University of Kentucky where she works across the enterprise to increase spending with diverse suppliers.