Turning Inner City Youth Lives Around and Creating an Opportunity-Rich World

​We are an educational,  public benefit 501(c) 3 non profit organization. Our organization was named in honor of Oliver Lewis, a 19 year old African-American jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. On May 17, 1875, Lewis won the very first Kentucky Derby on the winning horse, Aristides. Lewis and Aristides took second place in the Belmont Stakes, which is now the third race of the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby is the longest continuous sporting event in America. African American jockeys and trainers were common before the turn of the century. In fact, thirteen of the fifteen  jockeys in the inaugural Kentucky Derby were African Americans and six of the first fifteen winners had Black trainers. And Fifteen of the first twenty eight Kentucky Derby’s were won by African American jockeys. Indeed they were America’s first professional star athletes. The Oliver Lewis Inner city Thoroughbred Jockey Club aims to turn lives around for at risk youths and help create an opportunity-rich world by introducing these kids to the fascinating world and careers in Thoroughbred racing and the equine industry. We are confident that the progeny of America's Great Black Jockeys -- with our donor engagement programs, resources, mentoring, and educational program support  mechanisms that we can make a positive difference in helping turn their lives around and away from potential drugs, crime,  gangs, idleness and the myriad of negative influences attendant in the inner cities of America. Our organization is committed to developing the potential, skill sets,  self understanding and self actualization of young people so that they become productive citizens. In turn, these actions improve the community as a whole. Our organizations interventions are educational and charitable.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-resolution/231/text

Get Involved

Are you interested in getting involved with our cause? Contact us directly for more details about our mission for the at risk youth of our communities. Whether you know any child that could benefit from this opportunity, want to make a cash donation, want to make an in-kind donation, or volunteer to help us reach our goals, or simply want to help spread our message, we'd love to hear from you!

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