LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Every Wednesday, all-American quilter "Sunshine" Joe Mallard imparts his knowledge on a new generation. He learned how to quilt from his great-great-grandmother. It has become his life passion ever since. 

"The most important thing she taught me was that anybody can start a project, but it takes a special person to finish what you start," Mallard said.

His work is known around the world. He has made quilts for former presidents Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama to name a few. While his quilting success brought many happy moments, Mallard said there is nowhere he would rather be than at the University of Louisville Cultural Center leading sessions with a group of African American and Hispanic young men.

"There's been amazing conversation," Mallard said.

Mallard was approached by UofL Interim VP for Diversity and Equity, Faye Jones, about the idea a while back. Mallard held similar teaching sessions at high schools in the past, so he was happy to help out. While Mallard said he had no doubt students would want to participate, assistant professor Ahmad Washington said he wasn't so sure.

"Ideally we would have liked 24 to 25 participants. We were a little concerned we wouldn't meet that threshold," Washington said.

That's because, for some students, quilting was never a hobby on their minds.

"Quilting or anything like that is not in my nature," student Deion Moore said.

However, some other students on campus like Lorenzo Rowan signed up right away.

"I had a really good time with it in my art class in high school, but I never picked it up again," Rowan said.

The first session was January 15 and dozens of students have been showing up each Wednesday since. They are all working on designing their own necktie to represent their cultural backgrounds. When all of the students are done in mid-March, Mallard will incorporate all of the ties into a large quilt.

That message of bringing different cultures and backgrounds together mirrors the goal of the group. While students work, they talk about anything and everything. Mallard said the deep conversations he hears during the sessions are inspiring.

"There are many African and Latino young men who are striving for excellence and they want to make a difference in the world. I am glad to be apart of that," Mallard said.

These conversations help UofL reach a broader goal of making everyone feel heard and welcome on campus.

"Creating a very organic, honest and vibrant space for black and brown men is very vital. We hope this is the impetus for something ongoing into the future," Washington said.

Once the quilt is done, the group will head to Washington D.C. together in April to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture.