By Kevin Murphy Wilson • Photos by Matt Johnson
A Black woman-led nonprofit organization based in Louisville, Ky, Change Today, Change Tomorrow leans into several key pillars of service: Food Justice, Community Engagement, and Public Health. This powerful project was designed to protect, defend, and meet the needs of those who have been counted out. As such, its stated mission is to provide for the most marginalized communities within our city. This is largely because, as founder Taylor Ryan puts it, “when you show up for the most marginalized, you show up for everyone.” We recently caught up with Ryan to hear more about it.
VT: What led you to a service-oriented career path?
I have always been knee-deep in the community. During my time at Mississippi State University, I was in the Summer Bridge program. I lived in the service freshman dorm and I was a middle school mentor. While attending the University of Louisville I helped run the Association of Black Students and Empowering Ladies Together, the largest Black girl organization on campus outside of Greek life. My time at Marshall University was no different. I thought I was going to work at a university in DEI, then I thought I was going to work for a nonprofit. I never knew I was going to start my own.
VT: Were there any particular folks along the way who helped mentor or nurture you?
At Marshall University, I was under the guidance and mentorship of Dr. Shelvy Campbell. She would want me to tell you all she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Campbell runs the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office at Marshall University’s School of Medicine, where I worked during my time in Huntington, WV. She taught me how to conduct research, write grants and believe in myself.
VT: Can you please speak to the mission of your organization and the impact you have in the city?
Change Today, Change Tomorrow is devoted to eradicating the food justice and public health barriers that plague Black and marginalized communities. We serve about 20,000 folks each year whether that be with our free grocery program, monthly working groups, our youth advisory council or our winter holiday giving program.
VT: How many people are currently employed there altogether?
We have three full time staff members, seven part-time staff, two interns and about ten daily volunteers.
VT: Are there any notable partners in the community?
Our local sponsors include Trader Joe’s, Local’s Food Hub and Pizza Pub Louisville, and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Nationally,we recently completed Black Futures Labs’ Black Policy Institute and the Wallace Center’s Farm to Food Assistance Learning Lab. Both were cohorts that involved funding, learning and resource sharing.
VT: Overall, what makes this endeavor special to you?
Change Today, Change Tomorrow is special for many reasons. I started the organization with a one-year-old on my hip while I lived in the back room of my homegirl’s house. I had just moved back to Louisville and the nonprofit I was working for was not paying me what I needed to sustain. Part of CTCT’s story is that of resilience and perseverance of a single mother trying to survive. What makes CTCT special to others is our ability to serve without judgment, build trust, intentionally eliminate barriers, receive feedback and adjust accordingly, take initiative and accountability, and actually serve people.
VT: In this type of vocation, how do you measure success?
I consider myself an opportunity facilitator, so I am personally tracking how many connections I have made for people. This includes connecting our fiscal sponsor organizations to grant opportunities, connecting our base to professional development opportunities, connecting people to job opportunities, connecting healthy food to Black people who would not have access to fresh healthy options.
VT: Is there anything else you would want the world to know about you?
I want people to know I started this organization when I was 28 years old. I had nothing but a baby and an attitude. I want people to know that we are building something beautiful over here. We are not empowering people, we are activating people. We are the people we serve. We know Black people are dying and we are the Black people that are going to do something about it. If you want to join a supportive network that is going to play hard and work harder then check us out at: www.change-today.org