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Malcolm Ratchford is the 4th Executive Director of Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, and Nicholas Counties. Malcolm has been with the Community Action network since 1996, having previously served the organization as the Senior Manager for Neighborhood and Community Services and as Head Start Director. Malcolm earned his Bachelor's Degree in History Pre-Law from Talladega College and holds a Master's Degree in Family Studies, Early Childhood Education from the University of Kentucky. He has dedicated his career to advocating for equity and access to opportunity for all people through his work with structural racism, addressing the achievement gap, convicted felons rights and employment, inner-city youth, urban and rural poverty, immigration reform, and a variety of other conditions that serve as systemic barriers within our communities. His vision for Community Action Council includes making intentional investments in individuals and communities while advocating for the elimination of structural barriers that block access to opportunity for America's most vulnerable.
Show Malcolm's QuestionsWhat’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Watching my favorite teams (basketball & football).
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
Being in the front row of the music awards when Michael Jackson did the moonwalk for the first time. A future event would be to see the Dallas Cowboys play at home.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
Read the news online and roam Facebook.
What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
When I got my new job I realized I had to expand my leadership capabilities which in turn made me stronger.
What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
I don’t have an iPod however, I listened to Ty Tribett, old school (90’s R&B and rap) when I was in high school. I loved Guns and Roses
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Pay all my and my mother’s bills.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Attorney and a Fashion Model.
What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?
Staying out past my curfew partying with friends.
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Reading.
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
The coming of Christ.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
Let my mind wonder.
What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
The passing of my Mom.
What was your favorite food when you were a child?
Spaghetti and meatballs. It’s still a favorite food!
If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
35 felt like a pretty good year.
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
True story. When I was 16 and working in a video store, Silence of the Lambs came out on video. So many people returned the movie and said I looked like Jodie Foster’s character Clarice in the movie. All I could see is that we both had shoulder length brown hair.
When was the last time you had an amazing meal?
It really doesn’t take much to please me. So, last weekend! Grilled hamburgers and homemade guacamole.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Oh, I hate doing laundry. I really think that I do at least 100 thousand pounds of laundry each week. I have the clothes that they wear to school, the clothes that they work out in, the clothes that they wear from the work out, the clothes that they tried on and never put back in the closet that made it to the dirty clothes. Clothes...Clothes…Clothes…
What is your favorite childhood memory?
I have two. First, I grew up on a farm in Louisiana, which means that we ate what we grew. There was really no such thing as eating out. But, I remember when McDonald’s opened in the town where I lived. I wanted to go there so bad I could hardly stand it! I’m the youngest of 12 children so one of my brothers brought me there when he was home from law school. It was the best hamburger I ever had in my life!! And, to top it off, Ronald McDonald was there!!!!! Second, My first time going to the circus was amazing! I remember a beautiful lady swinging by her neck and dancing in the air with a flowing garment on. I would take my mom’s lace that she used to sew onto dresses and tie around my arms and waist so I could flow too. I used to pretend that I was that lady and turn round and round and around until I’d get dizzy. What a treat!
What are some songs that you love?
“I’m the man!” I just love to listen to it over and over again—Stand up and face the sun! Be a king when kingdom comes!! “Wooly Bully” It’s a favorite of my family—Kinda like a family theme song. We have a dance that we do to it and everything. “Matilda, I Cried for You” It makes me tear up nearly every time I hear it.
What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
Take me to the King.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Go to Vegas and double it.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Forensic Profiler.
What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?
Skipped school.
What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
“ The Sweetest Thing”, by Lauryn Hill
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Take my family on a two-week vacation
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I hope to be child-like all of my life—always learning and trying new things, and never afraid to ‘begin again’.
What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?
My grandmother loved to dress me up, but I would go and fall into puddles somehow and ruin my outfits, which frustrated her greatly.
What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
On my iPhone it is "Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me," the NPR quiz show.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Go on an extended vacation.
What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?
Fighting with my brother.
What was your favorite food when you were a child?
My mom made the best tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich.
If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
I remember when I was 36 and both my kids were starting grade school. That was the best!
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
Charles Groden – He has a dry humor and I looked like him when I had more hair.
What was your favorite food when you were a child?
My grandmother owned a family restaurant in Cuba and I remember when I was little I used to “help her” in the kitchen, but what I loved to help the most was making ham and chicken croquets because I would end up eating most of them.
If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
If I could choose to stay a certain age forever, it would be 24 years old, my current age. The reason why is because I feel this is the best I’ve felt about myself. I am very proud of my achievements so far and for the ones that are still on their way.
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
I don’t get mistaken by any celebrity, but I have been told that I look a little bit like Selena Gomez.
When was the last time you had an amazing meal?
The last time I had an amazing meal was Louisville. My family and I drove to Louisville just to try a Cuban restaurant and it has been the best food I’ve had since I left Miami.
From the start, citizen participation has been an essential element and goal of Community Action. We listen to people with low income and let them take the lead in finding solutions to poverty in our community. By design, the Council's volunteer Board of Directors has a tripartite (three-part) structure. One part consists of individuals with low income who live in the community, while the other two parts are staffed by public officials and representatives from the private sector such as civic and business leaders. Together, these diverse segments of the community provide a range of perspectives to meet unique local needs.