A Hand-Up Inc., a non-profit organization established to encourage blacks to become more involved in the Thoroughbred industry, will honor those who have enhanced the part blacks play in the industry at a Kentucky Derby (G1) eve dinner on May 5 at in Lexington.

Among those who will be honored at the dinner are Motown Records mogul Berry Gordy and hair-care mogul Jim Cottrell, both of whom have had starters in the Derby. A number of other Thoroughbred owners will be honored at the gala, along with several backstretch workers who have made important contributions to the industry.

A Hand-Up director Wallace Howard, a bloodstock agent and trainer from Winchester, Kentucky, is coordinating the tribute dinner. As part of the celebration, A Hand Up will donate prints of oil paintings of five Kentucky Derby-winning black jockeys to the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville.

"The history of blacks in Thoroughbred racing has been lost for the most part," Howard told the Winchester (Kentucky) Sun. "We as blacks must grasp every opportunity to prevail as entrepreneurs and skilled craftsmen, as well as succcessful owners and trainers in the industry. Today our only major role is as contributors at the betting windows or as unskilled laborers employed on the backstretch.

"All of these people are being honored for their achievements in the Thoroughbred Industry but we're not limiting it to blacks. For example, Roger Campbell, who is white, has been very instrumental in helping get the foundation started and has encouraged me for years in my efforts to get the role of blacks in racing recognized."