Member Spotlights

Avery "DJA1" Young

Avery “DJA1” Young - By: Israel Mcclain


Detroit native Avery Young plays many roles at the Franklin Center for Innovation. His work there includes writing articles, embroidery, photography, and video editing.


Mr. Young is currently a DJ and goes by DJA1. He has been a DJ since 2016, first starting as a student at Kentucky State University. He was a DJ for campus events and at parties for KSU students.


Later on in his DJ career, he has branched out and hosts weddings, concerts, church events, and birthday parties. Mr. Young has performed in Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky, Atlanta, and Detroit. He is currently a part of the DJ coalition in Atlanta. Young is also a producer. He received his Bachelor of Arts and English degree in 2015 and his Masters in Public Administration in 2018 at Kentucky State University. He has a song out right now called “MISTAKES” featuring Amber Faye. 


Link to his single Mistakes- https://youtu.be/O2MU8t_h7Ro

Anthony "Roni" Robinson

Anthony "Roni" Robinson - By: Isreal Mcclain


Franklin County and Frankfort is the home of Anthony "Roni" Robinson. He is one of the four children born to Wanda Robinson and Charles Dale. He is the father of Anthony, Amyah, and Aliyana Robinson and husband of Amber Robinson. He graduated from Franklin County High School in 1997. He also attended Kentucky State University where he got his bachelor's degree in General business and also played football and became the all-time leading rusher with over 5,000 rushing yards and played basketball where he accumulated over 2,300 points.


It is obvious Mr. Robinson loves his community. He continues to look for ways to build up Frankforts youth and provide for them. He is the founder of Bridging The Gap and Just Grind Performance LLC. According to the Bridging the Gap website their mission is to activate the performance of individuals through sports training, event planning, and philanthropy. This mission will be achieved by using innovative and creative methods for individual or group success. To build upon a relationship between Kentucky State University, Frankfort, and Franklin County that has been underutilized. Bridging the Gaps goal is to continuously reach out and provide events aimed towards their mission.


Bridging the Gap is a non profit organization that hosts events to raise money to give scholarships to the youth in the area. They are currently providing scholarships for seniors in Franklin county to enroll at KSU.The requirements consist of a 2.7 gpa, a 300 word essay, 30 hours spent working at the Franklin Center For Innovation or 30 hours of community service. This scholarship is for male and female recipients and it consists of four categories that include first generation college students, community, minorities, and sports performance .


Bridging the Gap has hosted events in the past at KSU: like trunk or treat for kids during halloween, football halloween, and Sunday Funday. Sunday Funday had events like 3 on 3 basketball tournaments, food trucks, motorcycle festivals, voter registration, and a bourbon auction all to raise money for scholarships.


He is also the founder of Just Grind Performance LLC in Frankfort where he hosts sports training for the youth. Just Grind Performance LLC is trying to bring AAU back to Frankfort and they are hosting tryouts for 6th grade boys and girls and 7th and 8th grade boys on April 30th location TBA. For more information contact Roni at 502-219-8992.


Another event Mr. Robinson and his partners are hosting the release of their new Bourbon called “All Gas No Brakes” which you can order today and all proceeds will be given to Bridging the Gap to fund scholarships. The reveal of the new bourbon is May 20th from 1PM-3PM at Bourbon on Main in Frankfort.