Ballerina Receives Equity Champion Award

Kayla Chambers-Reed, a junior at Lafayette High School, received the 2023 Equity Champion Award from Fayette County Public Schools. This annual honor, established a year ago, goes to a local citizen who advocates for equitable opportunities for students and families and has exhibited outstanding dedication and service to our school community. The award is named for Porter “PG” Peeples, a founding member of the school board’s Equity Council Committee.

Kayla is founder and artistic director of Lexington’s African American Ballet Troupe. "It has been such a great experience. We have been able to reach almost 300 kids," she said after accepting the community honor at the Nov. 27 school board meeting. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in our community through the arts."

About 18 months ago, as a 14-year-old dancer, Kayla started this group to open the world of ballet to traditionally underserved youth and to help increase diversity within ballet circles. She specifically reaches out to Black elementary students and those whose families cannot afford dance lessons. She and her friends teach ballet at no charge in after-school programs, summer programs at churches, and community centers. Kayla also instills self-confidence as she encourages the youngsters in performances.