The Russell Neighborhood was once known as “Louisville’s Harlem” for its strong African American business presence, but the area took a major decline after World War II and intensified during misguided urban renewal efforts in the 1960’s that demolished the commercial area. Russell is predominantly Black in a Metro where Blacks account for less than a quarter of the population. Household poverty rates in the neighborhood are 3.5 times higher than the general Louisville population and 60% of the households live below the poverty threshold. This work is critical. There are no incubators in West Louisville and the closest incubator in the Metro area is 13 miles away.
