Amped Up!


May 15, 2026 Newsletter

Dream Maker Awards Dinner
June 12, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Progress Park Airstream & Event Center

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Come Support Our Students!

This Weekend! AMPED is proud to be a collaborator of Poorcastle Festival 2026!


Join us May 15–17 at Jubilee Field for a three-day, all-local music festival celebrating Louisville’s incredible artists, vendors, food, and community. Poorcastle is family- and dog-friendly, with kids under 12 admitted free.


This year’s festival benefits three Louisville music-based organizations, including AMPED, Louisville Leopard Percussionists, and Out Loud Louisville.


Get your Single-Day or 3-Day passes below.

Join us Saturday, June 6, 2026

Where Innovation, Community & Culture Connected

Thank You to All for a Successful Hackathon


What happens when technologists, entrepreneurs, creatives, strategists, and community leaders all get in the same room with a shared purpose? Real solutions get built.


Thank you to everyone who participated in the Code the Culture / Louisville Love Hackathon hosted at Amped’s Tech & Learning Center.


A special thank you to our collaborators and partners, 10x Velocity and Play Cousins Collective, for helping bring this experience to life.


Together, we used technology, strategy, and fresh ideas to help solve real tech challenges while creating space for people from different industries to learn from one another, collaborate, and build together.


This experience was about more than coding. It was about breaking down silos and showing what’s possible when business leaders, technologists, creatives, nonprofits, and community members come together in the same room with a shared purpose.



Thank you to every participant, mentor, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this first hackathon a success. We’re excited about what’s next. 🚀


Interested in Being Part of the Next

Amped Business Accelerator Cohort?


Join us on June 3, 2026, from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM for an upcoming information session to learn more about the Amped Business Accelerator, the application process, and how the program supports entrepreneurs in growing and scaling their businesses.


Come connect, ask questions, and discover how Amped can support your entrepreneurial journey.

Amped Business Accelerator Shout Outs

Congratulations to current Amped Business Accelerator cohort participant Cielo Stein (pictured left) on winning the 2026 Derby Pitch Competition hosted by the Louisville Hispanic Chamber of Commerce!


We are excited to celebrate this incredible accomplishment and proud to see Amped entrepreneurs continuing to make an impact through innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.


Please join us in congratulating Cielo on this well-deserved recognition.

Also, congratulations to Courtney Williams, a 2024 Amped Business Accelerator graduate, on the grand opening of her new storefront, SlayStation! (pictures below)


Courtney officially celebrated the opening of her business on May 3rd, marking an exciting milestone in her entrepreneurial journey. We are proud to see our entrepreneurs continue to grow, expand, and create new opportunities within the community.


Be sure to support SlayStation at their new location:

SlayStation

4113 Bardstown Rd Unit 106

Louisville, KY



Join us in congratulating Courtney on this exciting achievement!

Tech Career Kickstart: Summer Externship Opportunity

This summer, AMPED is preparing the next generation of tech talent through our Tech Career Kickstart Externship Program—a hands-on, two-week intensive designed for high school students ready to explore careers in technology.


Participants won’t just learn—they’ll gain real-world exposure to key areas including IT concepts, infrastructure, software applications, data fundamentals, and cybersecurity. Through guided instruction and practical experience, students will build foundational skills while gaining insight into what a future in tech can look like.


📅 July 6–17, 2026

🕚 Monday–Friday | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

📍 AMPED Tech & Innovation Learning Center


This externship is more than a program—it’s a launchpad for students to build confidence, develop technical skills, and take their first steps toward high-demand careers in tech.


🚀 Ready to build the future? Encourage a student to register today.


Amped Tech & Learning Center at 1701 W. Market Street

Stop by MELANnaire Gift Shop for Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts


Stop by the MELANnaire Gift Shop, located inside the AMPED Tech & Innovation Learning Center, and support local entrepreneurs while discovering unique, culturally inspired products. From apparel to specialty gifts, every purchase helps uplift and invest in our community.


📍 1701 W. Market Street, Louisville, KY

🕘 Open Monday – Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM


Come shop with purpose—we’ll see you there!



Amped Up! Your Support Makes the Difference

Become a Monthly Supporter!


Join us in making a lasting impact by becoming a monthly donor to Amped! Your commitment allows us to plan for the future and provide consistent support to our programs and community.



Why Choose Monthly Giving?


  • Sustainable Impact: Your monthly contributions help us create long-term solutions and empower those we serve.
  • Convenient Giving: Spread your support throughout the year with manageable monthly donations—just set it and forget it!

Select “Make this a monthly donation" when you set up your donation.

Your ongoing support not only ensures the sustainability of our initiatives but also enhances Amped's capacity for the future.


Join the Amped mailing list to stay inspired by powerful stories, get first access to program updates and events, and see how your support is creating real change for youth and families in our community.

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Our mailing address is:

Amped

1701 W. Market Street

Louisville, KY 40203


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