I Was Here, Inc.

I Was Here Nationwide combines emblematic Spirit Portraits into historic images, reflecting how the labor of Africans is layered into the foundation of our country. This civic art framework centers the ancestral contributions of Black Americans as foundational Nation Builders.

The project is designed to create a paradigm shift in the consciousness of the country. At this critical junction, the I Was Here Project is a national reckoning in acknowledgment of the power of ancestry.

Lexington, Kentucky—home to the largest auction site of enslaved Africans west of the Allegheny Mountains—carries a profound history filtered through the lens of celebrated founding fathers with names like Clay, or Boone, or even Lincoln. This filter creates a “narrative debt” — the absence of community-authored narratives in public spaces—and is not merely a historical oversight. It is intentional, as evidenced by the monuments chosen for display and stories told in history books, and it becomes a weight that drives a community’s future potential down.

When our youth cannot identify with the history taught in schools and cannot see themselves reflected on our street corners, they disengage. This disconnection manifests as a “Literacy Gap,” a space where students struggle to find their own voice because they have been denied the stories of those who came before them. Until the Lion has a voice, the Hunter tells the story. Narrative Debt is directly linked to deficits in student literacy and civic confidence. Without a mirror in history, the path to the future remains obscured, and our civic fabric begins to fray.

The I Was Here Project addresses this gap by building social infrastructure, creating a system that transforms public space into an engine for identity, voice, and civic participation.

At its core is a proven, standards-aligned workshop model that develops literacy and leadership through four phases: Ancestry, Voice, Future, and Presence. Participants move from understanding their heritage to crafting narratives, planning civic action, and publicly presenting their work.

I Was Here provides public value and creates social change by addressing both arts-based and broader community needs through interdisciplinary public art and arts education. In Central Kentucky and surrounding regions, there is a clear need for fuller representation of African American contributions in public memory, greater access to interdisciplinary public art experiences, and culturally responsive arts education that reflects diverse histories and celebrates the role of women. Beyond arts-specific gaps, our community faces challenges related to youth leadership development, civic engagement, and historical literacy.

Many young women—especially those from low-to-moderate-income households—lack structured opportunities to explore identity, build confidence, and connect personal history to broader civic narratives. Communities also seek spaces for reflection and dialogue that foster belonging and shared understanding. Partnerships with colleges, community organizations, tourism leaders, and public officials provide ongoing insight into cultural, educational, and economic priorities. Our response integrates immersive installations, spoken word performance, and facilitated workshops that transform public spaces into living classrooms.

Programs advance historical literacy, creative expression, and leadership skills while increasing access to no cost arts experiences. Youth ambassadors serve as facilitators and public presenters, strengthening a pipeline from arts participation to civic engagement and higher education.