The Beshear administration is highlighting Black contributions to horseracing and spotlighting a group that aims to mentor the next generation of African-American talent in the industry.
With Derby Day coming down the stretch, Gov. Andy Beshear is officially naming April 25 through May 1 "Ed Brown Society Week." Named after Edward D. Brown, who was born into slavery in Lexington in the mid-1800s and rose to prominence in the horseracing world, the designation also gets its name from a group hoping to get more African-Americans involved in influential mid-level jobs in the industry.
Ray Daniels with the Ed Brown Society said the interest is out there.
"The African-American community is watching, they're paying attention, they want to be involved, they want to be at the track, but they also want to be employed," Daniels explained. "We hope that we can be a conduit for that opportunity."
Daniels says the group wants to be part of creating a new, more diverse pipeline of talent for the industry, while helping those historically left out of areas ranging from management to veterinary services.
Reading from the proclamation, the governor added that the "lack of diversity in positions of power within the equine industry serve as a potential barrier for growth."
