Our story
Born in Louisville. Built for the students who come next.
The Impact Scholars Network is a Black-led, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Deborah Kemp. We remove financial barriers for students pursuing nursing, skilled trades, and undergraduate degrees across Kentucky.
It began with a simple question: what stops a good student from finishing?
Too often, the answer is a number. A tuition balance, a childcare bill, a car that will not start. Deborah Kemp — a lifelong advocate for education and community development — started the Impact Scholars Network to answer those numbers directly, with scholarships named for people who spent their lives showing up for others.
What began with two funds, the Precious Leshay Johnson Nursing Scholarship and the Tracy Wheeler Undergraduate Scholarship, now includes a trade and workforce track for students building careers with their hands.
The work is funded the way our community has always funded what matters: by gathering. Each spring, Deb & Anthony's Derby Brunch brings sponsors, families, and scholars into one room — and sends the next class off to school.
Founded by
Deborah Kemp
Founder & President, Louisville, Kentucky
What guides us
Three commitments we hold to every scholar.
Dignity first
Every applicant is a person with a story, not a file. We read every application with care and answer every message.
Rooted in community
We are a Black-led organization born in Louisville, and our scholars come from the neighborhoods and churches that raised us.
Long-horizon support
A scholarship is a start, not a finish line. We stay connected to our scholars through school and into their careers.
Accountability
A small organization with open books.
We are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and by the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a nonprofit corporation. Gifts to the Impact Scholars Network are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Legal status
501(c)(3) nonprofit
Based in
Louisville, Kentucky
Focus
Nursing · Trade · Undergraduate
Funded by
Derby Brunch & gifts
Ready to be part of the next chapter?
Students can apply in a few minutes. Sponsors and volunteers can reach us any time.