On Tuesday, September 9, Kentucky State University’s (KSU) School of Business and Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy hosted its annual Federal Reserve Luncheon, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

More than 200 people including students, faculty, staff, community leaders, and elected officials gathered in the Carl M. Hill Student Center Ballroom. Community organizations represented included the Frankfort Development Interest Group, Awesome Inc, WesBanco, Independence Bank, Expree Credit Union, Commonwealth Credit Union, Community Trust Bank, Edward Jones Investments, Whitaker Bank, Kentucky Capital Development Corporation, Kentucky Farm Bureau, as well as others.

Legislators and government officials in attendance included Representative Dan Fister (R), Representative Erika Hancock (D), Senator Gex Williams (R), Kentucky State Treasurer Mark Metcalf, Franklin County Judge/Executive Michael Muller, and Franklin County Deputy Judge/Executive Jack Kennedy.

Featured speakers for the event included Seema Sheth, senior vice president and regional executive of the Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; Jimmie Gray, assistant vice president in Operations Shared Services of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; and Lakisha Higgins, outreach coordinator, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

Dr. Gary Stratton, interim chair of the KSU School of Business, said the luncheon has become a signature event for the university and was pleased with the large turnout.

“For many years, the KSU School of Business and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch, have collaborated to bring this program to our campus, a tradition begun under the leadership of Dr. Abdul Turay,” Stratton said. “We were especially excited to expand the partnership by welcoming the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.”

The event was co-hosted with KSU’s Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, which is now celebrating its second year. Dr. Amanda Fickey, associate director of the Center, was pleased to assist with organizing and hosting this annual event.

“Hosting the Federal Reserve Luncheon allows Kentucky State University students and community members to engage directly with leaders in finance and economic policy, bridging classroom learning with real-world issues. The event strengthens KSU’s role as a hub for civic dialogue, career opportunities, and economic empowerment in the region” she said.

For more details about events offered by the KSU School of Business and Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, please contact Dr. Gary Stratton at gary.stratton@kysu.edu or (502) 597-6912.