Meet Rebecca Ward | Founder of Clothe The West

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Ward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I live in the city where Breonna Taylor was murdered by Louisville Metro Police department. She is also not the first nor the most recent human who has been a victim to LMPD/LMDC aggressive excessive violent use of force and power. The summer of 2020 my cities unrest happened in the midst of a god-awful pandemic. I fully invested myself into the movement. I was no longer doing contract cooking jobs or nannying. “Gig jobs” were the first to go when COVID started. So I immediately jumped into making sure my people were fed so that they could fight. It was the most emotionally challenging time of my life. Quickly I needed another outlet to serve my people without being physically and emotionally drained. A local organization in my city had an abundance of clothing that was offered to me and so I popped up outside of the Parkland Boys and Girls club during their Feed the West initiative, I had a few tables and boxes of new clothes, shoes, belts, and books. People started walking past, driving up the word got out and people started showing up this was June 26, 2020. This location was significant because it was on the same block as my childhood hood home. From that point on Clothe the West flourished we started popping up every week outside because of COVID and in the West End because it’s the most under-resourced predominantly black area in my city. Eventually we ran out of clothes but the need was still there. I wanted children to feel like they were seen and heard and that someone cared and although they weren’t going to school they deserve to have new clothes even if their parents’income had shifted. People started volunteering, donating, and supporting. Until this day that is how we stay afloat from community support

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart is I serve folx without asking questions. No stipulations no guild lines! If you show up or reach out and we can help we will. Providing New essentials with ease, meaning in an accessible location. I believe mutual aid is important the community that is able should be assisting folx who need it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Eat at SuperChefs, 8 Up Louisville (its rooftop), Louisville Cream, Eden & Kissi, Boba Fete,

Get Coffee from Sunergos Coffee, Coffee Crossing,

Depending on the day of the week depends on night life NoraeBar (inclusive, the best bathroom selfie mirror, & Karaoke), Black Jockeys Lounge, The Hole in The Wall, Play (if you wanna see a good drag show)

Visit Muhammad Ali Center, Roots 101 African American Museum, Big Four Bridge walking bridge, Cave Hill Cemetery – Home, 21c Museum Hotels, Pocket Change, Schimpff’s Confectionery, Louisville Bar on Wheels, Melannaire Marketplace, ,Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage, Ben’s Baragin Center, Logan Street Market

And if they are drinking get some bourbon of course

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My ancestors, the ones who came before me that I do not know and those who I was able to witness care for folx out of love.

Website: https://linktr.ee/Clothethewest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clothethewest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clothethewest

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/clothe-the-west-louisville?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7avzfNjk7-TYAqQVusz3lQT6RaAAaZA2

Image Credits
@ky_drone_guy