President's Profile

FORR Leadership

President's Profile

I liken racism to cancer. Cancer is going to kill you whether you acknowledge it or not. Racism will kill us, whether we talk about it or not. It’s time to talk about it so that maybe we can find a cure for it.

– Kristie Powe, from an address to the March on Frankfort 2024

Ms. Kristie Powe is a graduate of Kentucky State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology and a minor in sociology. She is currently seeking her Masters Degree in Instructional Design. After 8 years of service, Ms. Powe resigned her position as a Constituent Services Analyst for the Legislative Research Commission in order to make a run for Kentucky State Representative House District 57.


Kristie understood what it meant to be the “token black” from a very young age. From as early as she can remember, she was one of only a small handful of black people in her neighborhoods, schools and peer groups. Upon graduation from Franklin County High School she received a full academic scholarship to Fisk University, which became her first introduction to an all-black environment. The culture shock of this would later fuel her desire to help other young women express their experiences of growing up black in an all-white environment.


In addition to being President of FORR, Kristie is the current Chairperson of the Frankfort Human Rights Commission, a proud Kiwanian, Rotarian, member of Elks Lodge, Black Female Artists of Frankfort, NAACP, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.,, and Frankfort Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. She looks forward to continuing to use her voice and her art to encourage open and honest conversations about race and race related issues in Frankfort and Franklin County.


Kristie is a community activist. She served as co-organizer of the Freedom March on Frankfort, 2024 which brought together nearly 2000 people celebrating humanity and unity on the grounds of the state capitol. Govenor Beshear served as keynote speaker for the event and echoed FORR's message denouncing racism, discriminatory legislation and vowing to continue moving Kentucky towards a unified Commonwealth where all citizens are accepted and welcomed. Kristie has also led FORR's Juneteenth celebrations for the past 3 years, and looks forward to ensuring that they continue for years to come.


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