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Dr. Wendy Ellis, Director of the Center for Community Resilience and the Equity Institute, recently served as the keynote speaker at Together We Bloom, an inaugural summit hosted by Bloom Kentucky, an initiative of Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA).
This powerful gathering brought together over 30 organizations, researchers, advocates, and changemakers committed to advancing the well-being of children and families through systemic and policy change.
In addition to delivering a compelling keynote, Dr. Ellis was featured in an interview with KET – Kentucky Educational Television, part of the PBS network. In the segment, she issued a call to action for bold systems change, urging leaders and policymakers to examine the root causes and institutional policies behind current outcomes. “If we want different systems, we have to break those systems—and stop breaking people,” said Dr. Ellis.
Dr. Ellis was also joined by collaborators like Dr. Bob Sege, Director of the Center for Community-Engaged Medicine at Tufts CTSI, to explore strategies for fostering resilience and addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Her keynote speech centered on the groundbreaking “Pair of ACEs” framework, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adverse Community Environments—highlighting the need for aligned resources, programs, and policies that build resilient communities. This framework is now in practice across more than 20 cities and states, reinforcing her national leadership in promoting equity and trauma-informed systems.
"Dr. Wendy Ellis was absolutely electric," said Hannah Edelen, event organizer and Director of Policy and Advocacy with Kentucky Youth Advocates. "Her deep expertise in systems thinking, how environments shape family conditions, and how we can cultivate hope in Kentucky through policy change illuminated significant opportunities for advocates, leaving attendees activated and animated by possibility."
🔗 To watch the full KET interview with Dr. Ellis, visit the link here (Segment begins at 14:47)
Pictured: Hannah Edelen with Dr. Wendy Ellis.
Pictured: Dr. Ellis was interviewed by KET News.