LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tayna Fogle is one woman widely known around Lexington for her commitment to helping the unhoused, those in recovery, and simply anyone needing a helping hand.
She often says life’s darkest path can become one’s greatest asset and applying this to her own life, she has since moved into new positions while finding even more purpose.
Fogle has spoken up for marginalized groups for over 40 years and has been a key voice for peers. Now she’s a part of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council helping those in the city’s first district.
Among her top issues are helping the homeless, addressing youth gun violence, and helping young Black youth find career opportunities. These are factors she says should not be taken lightly.
Bryan Station High School’s Jobs of America student president Remy Bawili said Fogle has been an inspiring mentor to learn from.
“She was also telling us a little bit of background about how she also transferred from doing different things in life to becoming where she is now, so she has a really big influence on us,” Bawili explained.
But Fogle’s journey had its hardships. For several years after college, she had run-ins with the law and dealt with addiction and adversity at her doorstep.
It’s why to this day she relies on her unwavering faith for getting her through the harder moments.
“That get’s me up every morning and starts me on my way after I give thanks to the almighty God, and then just ask him for the right direction. But there’s a lot of pain in my purpose,’’ Fogle says.
Now, often alongside heavy hitters like Charles Booker and after two full months in office, she is making change a priority. Fogle often refers to her matriarchal instincts to handle the influx of responsibilities and the new purpose she carries.
“I fight to show mothers and fathers that there’s another chance and another way of life and I’m so passionate about changing history to the future. I want these families and parents and kids to know that there’s a better life,” she said.
Aside from her efforts in the city council, Fogle is the lead organizer for Kentuckians for the Commonwealth — a statewide group promoting the restoration of voter’s rights for felons, economic equality, and more. Often the group partners with other nonprofits providing resources around the city.
As someone who started from the ground up, Fogle says it thrills her to help others achieve their own goals.
“We have to turn it. There’s a pilot light and then we need to turn up the fire, and that way, that drives me. And for people who are like me. I mean, who would have ever known, Tayna Fogle, the first district council person, who would have ever thought?” Fogle said.
The title still surprises her. And she says the ability to help make a difference for former felons who hope to vote, unsheltered people, and beyond is the key. Fogle wants more than anything for her people to know they can trust their council member.