Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Returns to Lexington with Events to Support the Stuttering Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 19, 2025) — Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, former University of Kentucky men’s basketball champion and NBA veteran, is returning to Lexington Saturday to host a pair of events designed to support the stuttering community. Through his nonprofit, Change & Impact, Inc., Kidd-Gilchrist will lead programs for both healthcare professionals and families of children who stutter.
In partnership with UK’s College of Health Sciences, the first event will provide regional speech-language pathologists with a no-cost continuing education program titled “School-Age Children Who Stutter: Assessing & Treating the Impact on Their World.”
The course will feature international stuttering expert Joseph Donaher, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Meg Shake, MS, CCC-SLP, Kidd-Gilchrist’s former speech-language pathologist at UK. Kidd-Gilchrist will deliver a keynote alongside Shake, sharing how speech therapy at UK shaped his journey as a person who stutters. The program takes place Saturday, Sept. 20, in Worsham Cinema at the Gatton Student Center. Media access will be available from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. during the keynote.
Later that evening, the Fourth Annual Change & Impact Bowling Blast will bring together children who stutter, their families and local speech-language pathologists for an evening of celebration at LexLive. Kidd-Gilchrist will share his personal story and meet with families during an event featuring bowling, arcade games, and other activities from 5–8 p.m. The event is open to the media.
“Giving back to the community through educational opportunities in stuttering is very important to me and my foundation, Change & Impact. Speech-language pathologists play such a big part in the life of a person who stutters,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “I’m grateful to be back, to meet so many dedicated SLPs, and to share my story where my speech therapy journey began with Ms. Meg Shake.”
Founded in 2021, Change & Impact works to improve access to healthcare and expand services for people who stutter. Kidd-Gilchrist created the organization to raise awareness, educate communities and advocate for greater inclusion and resources.
Shake, Kidd-Gilchrist’s former speech-language pathologist and a clinician at UK HealthCare, said she is proud to see this effort come full circle.
“Working with Michael years ago was a turning point in my career, inspiring me to become a better therapist for people who stutter and a louder advocate for them in their schools, jobs, and communities,” Shake said. “Working on this event has brought back many great memories of that incredible and challenging year. I am excited to help teach a wider community of stuttering therapists, and I am so grateful for the opportunity.”
Anne Olson, PhD, CCC/A, audiologist and chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in UK’s College of Health Sciences, said the program reflects the department’s mission.
“On behalf of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, we are excited to welcome Michael Kidd-Gilchrist back to UK along with speakers Joe Donaher, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Meg Shake, MS, CCC-SLP, to deliver this course focused on school-age children who stutter,” Olson said. “We feel fortunate to be able to help promote Michael’s advocacy efforts for the stuttering community.”
Scott Lephart, PhD and dean of the College of Health Sciences, said CHS is honored to partner on the initiative.
“As a College, we are deeply committed to advancing patient-centered care, and this event reflects our mission to support all individuals — especially those whose voices have too often gone unheard,” Lephart said. “Michael’s return to campus brings not only inspiration, but real opportunity for learning, growth and meaningful change in how we serve the stuttering community.”
Plus, there’s a lot of fun, too.
“The Change & Impact bowling event is a yearly highlight for many of my friends and families who are part of the stuttering community,” Shake said. “This event brings people together to meet, share, have fun and celebrate. It is always a very special and memorable time!”
For more information about Change & Impact, visit www.changeandimpactinc.org
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Media Contact:
Kristen Peifer
703-626-0032
kristen@liftupr.com
