African Americans played a major role in Kentucky’s early equine history as jockeys, trainers, and grooms. A University of Kentucky (UK) soil scientist is working to make sure their stories, and others, are not forgotten.

Coyne is working to make sure African American equestrians’ stories are not forgotten.

For the past few years, Mark Coyne, PhD, professor of soil biology in the UK College of Agriculture, has led several efforts to introduce UK students to this rich history while they help maintain and improve Lexington’s African Cemetery No. 2