Mayor George P. Bray in partnership with the City of Paducah will be launching the Duke and Duchess Foundation of Paducah this year. The Foundation, once operational and substantially funded, will provide grants for nonprofits in Western Kentucky. In addition, it will provide an opportunity for those who have been honored with having a Duke or Duchess award bestowed on them to stay connected and contribute to the Paducah community.
Mayor Bray said, “Establishing the Duke and Duchess Foundation of Paducah will help secure private support and funding for projects and initiatives that will move Paducah, McCracken County, and Western Kentucky forward. We have a vast network of Duke and Duchess recipients who are committed to public service and philanthropy and who closely identify with the city of Paducah. This Foundation will be able to multiply the efforts of local government by providing a network of connections and an economic path to philanthropy.”
Mayor Bray is seeking to organize a small group of Paducah and McCracken County citizens to help establish the Foundation. These individuals will finalize the by-laws, develop mission and vision statements, and create the investment and grant guidelines. If interested, these citizens may ultimately serve as the Foundation’s initial board members.
Interested parties from the community should reach out by emailing Mayor Bray by March 31. The experience offered by individuals from the financial and nonprofit world would be welcome.
Duke of Paducah History - The first person to use the title Duke of Paducah professionally and receive an award from the City of Paducah was Benjamin Francis Ford, also known as Whitey Ford. Ford, a banjo player and comedian, was called the Duke of Paducah starting in the 1930s. Even though Ford was born in Missouri, a radio station salesman who was from Paducah suggested that he use the title Duke of Paducah for publicity.
Ford received the first official Duke of Paducah award from the City of Paducah in 1953. City Commissioner George G. Jacobs who served at that time with Mayor Robert Cherry came up with the Duke of Paducah recognition idea and want to present the first award to Ford. Jacobs had met Ford that year at a fair in Metropolis. Ford agreed to come to Paducah to receive the official recognition of his title. In return, the City hoped the award would bring publicity to Paducah.
Ford was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1986.
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