LCAAHC

A carpenter by trade, Wayne Riley founded the African American Heritage Center in London, KY in 2004 with the mission of preserving the traditions and legacy of the African American community.

​

Wayne is also well known for carrying forward his own traditional family food ways, including barbecues and fish fries.  He has been a featured demonstrator at the Kentucky Folklife Festival in Frankfort, the Redbud Folklife Festival, and the Multicultural Folklife Festival in London among other venues.

 

As CEO and Director of Laurel County African American Heritage Center Inc., he has coordinated one oral history project, several youth summer programs, and twelve community-wide celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, all of which have included speakers, music, a parade and a dinner.

​

Wayne has managed and directed the Grow Appalachia Food Security Project in Laurel County for ten years, and is now into his eleventh year in the position. He has completed the Brushy Fork Institute programs for Management of Non-Profit Organizations, and Ordinary Communities Achieving Extraordinary Results. Mr. Riley has also received the 2016 Berea College Service Award, and attended the 2008 inauguration of President Barrack Obama.