‘Assembly for Education’ to Be Held in Paducah
MEDIA ADVISORY
June 5, 2025
Contact: Lisa McKinney, Communications Director, The Prichard Committee
(cell) 859-475-7202
lisa@prichardcommittee.org
'Assembly for Education' to Be Held in Paducah
PADUCAH, Ky. — The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence will host its 2025 Groundswell Summit June 9-10 at the Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center, marking a pivotal assembly for education and economic wellbeing in the Commonwealth.
“Last fall, voters sent a powerful message that they believe in public education—not just as a system, but as a shared promise of opportunity, community, and a strong future for Kentucky,” said Brigitte Blom, President/CEO of the Prichard Committee. “The question we will be exploring at this summit is—what comes next? We’re inviting Kentuckians to share their stories, their hopes, and their bold ideas for what public education can and should be for every child in our state. This is our moment to recommit and build a new vision together.”
The summit will feature a rich program of distinguished speakers and opportunities for engagement designed to foster dialogue and action around improving education. This year, the summit will feature the following keynote speakers:
Michael Matsuda – A nationally recognized education leader known for innovation and compassion, Matsuda has transformed opportunities for students through the Career Preparedness Systems Framework and co-authored Educating for Purposeful Life.
Savannah Barrett – A dedicated champion for rural and Native artists, Barrett co-founded the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange and leads efforts in grantmaking, leadership development, and community bridging.
Dr. Anton R. Reece – As president of West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah, Dr. Reece utilized his visionary, creative leadership to actively build partnerships, convene teams with transformative results and intentionally reach out to rural and underserved communities.
The year’s presenting sponsor is eKadence Learning Foundation, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to providing access to innovative technology solutions that empower educators to prepare students for confident, purpose-driven success in college, career, and life.
“At eKadence, we believe learning thrives when students, educators, and communities are connected through purpose-driven tools,” said Brad Caldwell, Director of Education at eKadence. “We’re honored to sponsor the Groundswell Summit and to partner with the Prichard Committee in reimagining student success and supporting Kentucky’s bold vision for education.”
The summit will also feature the Great Schools Showcase—a highlight of the event—where families, educators, and community leaders from across Kentucky will share innovative ideas and success stories that are making a real impact in education.
“The Groundswell Summit isn’t just a conference—it’s an assembly of Kentuckians coming together from across the state to discuss what’s next for education,” said Blom. “We encourage community leaders, parents and educators to represent their school districts and help shape bold solutions for improving education outcomes in Kentucky.”
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The Prichard Committee believes in the power and promise of public education –early childhood through college– to ensure Kentuckians’ economic and social well-being. We are a citizen-led, non-partisan, solutions-focused nonprofit, established in 1983 with a singular mission of realizing a path to a larger life for Kentuckians with education at the core.