LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Linda Gorton will announce the recipients of the 2026 "Be the Change" Scholarship Program on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Government Center Lobby, according to a statement from the City of Lexington.

ONE Lexington Director Devine Carama will join the mayor at the announcement, along with representatives of the Blue Grass Community Foundation, Galls and Central Bank.

ONE Lexington, a city initiative dedicated to reducing violence in all neighborhoods, administers the scholarship program in partnership with the civic and corporate partners. The "Be the Change" scholarship targets students of color pursuing careers in fields related to criminal justice, public safety and gun violence prevention, with individual awards of up to $10,000 for a single academic year that can be used at Kentucky colleges or universities.

The announcement will be livestreamed at the City of Lexington's YouTube channel.

ONE Lexington works with the community to create initiatives and programs for youth and young adults that enhance safety and quality of life in neighborhoods experiencing violent crime. The city has reduced community violence by 60% since 2021, according to the organization's 2025 annual report.

The "Be the Change" scholarship program is made possible through partnerships among the City, Galls and Central Bank. Blue Grass Community Foundation, founded in 1967, connects charitable individuals, families, businesses, communities and nonprofit organizations with causes they care about to meet community needs.