
Board of Directors, 2020
Phoenix Rising LexBill Cooke
Past President
Founding member. Formerly, Director Emeritus of the International Museum of the Horse and researcher and text writer for the Museum’s “Black Horsemen of the Kentucky Turf” exhibit. Recipient of the Kentucky Historical Society’s 2018 “Frank R. Levstik Award” for Professional Service.
Bruce Mundy
President
Founding member. A native of Lexington, Bruce is a retired Youth Counselor for the Lexington Fayette County Health Dept. He served on the board of LexLinc, that provides services to children, families, and individuals in Fayette County; the North East Lexington Initiative, and was the chair of Open Ground, an art camp for children and adults with special needs. He is former board chair of the historical African Cemetery # 2 and the East End Empowerment Program. Bruce is the past recipient of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Real Fathers Real Men awards, and received the Friends of Children Award for his commitment and dedication to the children of Fayette County.
Becky Ryder
Secretary
Howard Myers
Treasurer
Jim Embry
Director at Large
Founding member. A longtime community activist, Jim chose the site, developed the concept design. and created the name of the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden. This inspired the creation of the “Legacy Trail” and other initiatives to highlight and celebrate the legacy of horse racing and African American horsemen in Lexington’s East End.
Beverly Fortune
Director at Large
Beverly Fortune is a former feature writer, columnist and news reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. She covered topics from the mayor, city hall, planning and zoning, to writing a popular social column and long-running weekly garden column. She serves on the board of the Blue Grass Trust, and on the advisory board of the Downtown Lexington Management District.
Percy Thomas
Director at Large
Retired 30-year U.S. Army veteran; Treasurer, William Wells Brown Neighborhood Association; Vice Chair of the Board of the Lyric Theater, Involved with the Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation.
Travis Robinson
Administrative Assistant, non-voting
Founding member. Past-President, Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association; International Museum of the Horse; Co-designer, “Black Horsemen of the Kentucky Turf” exhibit. Successful IMLS grant writer for, “National Chronicle of African American Horsemen,” a project for the International Museum of the Horse.