Kentucky to the World (KTW) enhances Kentucky’s image by showcasing the talent, ingenuity, and excellence of outstanding men and women who claim strong Kentucky ties. By promoting Kentucky connections, KTW is a catalyst for igniting creativity and initiative in Kentucky’s students, mentors, and workforce. KTW achieves its goals through multimedia programs that range from a live-audience speaker series, to the website’s written profiles, video interviews, and social media real time news. The people whom KTW selects to feature will meet a pre-determined set of criteria including: Claim a strong Kentucky connection – possessing one of the following: – Born or raised in Kentucky; – Attended and/or graduated from a Kentucky school; – Spent at least five years living, working, or contributing to a Kentucky community. Possess a fresh story –KTW features renowned men and women, many of whom are not well known in the state. Some live outside of Kentucky and others make Kentucky their home. Embody values including creativity, innovation, risk-taking, intellectual courage, and entrepreneurial spirit. Demonstrate work that is nationally and/or internationally significant as well as current and applicable to contemporary subjects of discourse and value. KTW’s far-reaching goals include expanding online content and reach to become a major online media publication, growing the speaker series geographically to other cities in Kentucky, and capitalizing on educational efforts through a mentorship program that will allow our Kentucky-connected men and women to inspire and guide Kentucky’s students of today to attain their professional and community minded goals of tomorrow.