Payne joins One Lexington Crisis Response efforts

Kenneth Payne has joined the One Lexington team in the Mayor’s Office. Payne serves as a Community Outreach Advocate, leading the One Lexington Crisis Response efforts, which is a component of its Strategic Violence Prevention Plan.

“Our One Lexington program has had an amazing positive influence on our community,” said Mayor Linda Gorton. “I’m happy to bring Kenneth onto our team to continue to expand the support for those who are directly affected by gun violence.”

Payne will coordinate community partnerships that provide support to individuals and families affected by gun violence. In addition, he will lead expansion of the “It Takes a Village” Summer Youth Mentoring Program, and oversee the financial, programmatic, data collection, and research components of One Lex.

“I am excited for the opportunity to join the One Lexington team, as the mission and vision align with my background in helping underprivileged youth experiencing trauma,” Payne said. He comes to the City’s One Lexington program with a degree in criminal justice and over 13 years of experience working with youth while employed by the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Home and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

One Lexington started in 2017 in an effort to coordinate public and private activities addressing violent crime. In addition to Payne, Director Devine Carama and Community Response Coordinator Larry Johnson make up the One Lexington team.

The One Lexington program includes the One Lexington Neighborhood Engagement Team, community forums, “It Takes a Village” Student Mentoring Program, Neighborhood Engagement walks, Violence Intervention Work Group, Safety Net Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program, and more. More details can be found at lexingtonky.gov/one-lexington.