A new initiative in Lexington aims to highlight and honor Black athletes in the central Kentucky community. The Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame will induct its first class of honorees at a ceremony next month.
The Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame was founded by husband and wife Bobby and Jennifer Jones. In an interview with WEKU’s Eastern Standard, Bobby Jones said other Sports Halls of Fame have neglected some local legends.
“For most of them, particularly the elderly, you know, when we actually talk to them and ask if they would, you know, they would accept selection, they would say things like, ‘I didn't think anybody even cared’ or ‘I thought we were forgotten about,’” said Bobby Jones.
Co-founder Jennifer Jones explained that their mission is threefold.
“Primarily, we want to provide supplemental scholarships to local student athletes who earned a partial sports scholarship to a university or college. But we know how it is sometimes, you need extra funds for a meal plan or for book purchases or other supplies,” said Jennifer Jones.
Jones added that their second mission is to hold an annual Sports Hall of Fame awards, ceremony and banquet. This year’s inaugural honorees will be celebrated with a gala September 24.
She also said they hope to have a permanent building where they can showcase local sports memorabilia.
In a sea of partisan news, WEKU is your source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
