The National Turf Writers And Broadcasters today pledged $5,000 to the Lexington, Ky.-based Legacy Equine Academy Inc., a unique program giving African American and racially diverse Middle and High School students unique opportunities to build life skills while learning horsemanship.

Through this program, students get hands-on exposure to many facets of farms and the horse racing industry.

The donation comes after NTWAB’s decision to cancel what would have been the 61st annual Awards Dinner held in advance of the upcoming Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course.

NTWAB annually makes donations of a similar cumulative amount to charities in the names of its award winners. It is encouraging other industry organizations and stakeholders to support the Legacy Equine Academy, which has already partnered with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Dean’s office, Kentucky Community and Technical College, Midway College, Fayette County Public Schools, and many other equine related enthusiasts in the corporate community.

“The NTWAB officers and board voted unanimously in the spring and gained the support of its general membership at our meeting prior to the Kentucky Derby to make a significant, one-time donation to a group that benefits both the industry and the community,” said Tom Law, NTWAB President and Managing Editor of ST Publishing Inc. “We hope this donation helps and can open doors to a segment of the community that is not only underrepresented in the racing industry but also in possession of great potential to improve the game on many levels. We could not be more proud to support an organization like the Legacy Equine Academy.”

Through its relationship with Fayette County Public Schools, the Legacy Equine Academy recruits students who are then tagged as a “Legacy Leaders” at the Middle School level. Academy members then identify the targeted students interested in the equine industry and work to ensure their candidacy for Locust Trace multi-level curriculum during their High School years, creating a pipeline toward developing future farm and racing industry professionals.

“We are so appreciative of the NTWAB for its support and advocacy of our mission,” said Ron Mack, founder and director of the Legacy Equine Academy. “We look to continue to create a pathway and a pipeline for young people into the equine industry.”

NTWAB, which consists of more than 180 professional racing journalists, plans to resume celebrating the industry and its participants at its 61st Awards Dinner prior to the 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar.