In advance of the 2025 Pegasus World Cup day, 1/ST and the Ed Brown Society are pleased to announce the extension of their initial three-year partnership to provide opportunities for young people of color to gain industry exposure, training and experience through internships and scholarships.
In 2025, 1/ST will provide $50,000 in funding to cover all costs associated with the paid internship program enabling the Ed Brown Society to identify, recruit and place qualified students. Chosen interns are compensated with all housing and travel expenses covered as part of the program.
On Saturday at the Pegasus World Cup, the third race will be dedicated to the Ed Brown Society and will include a ceremonial moment in the winner's circle to celebrate the renewed partnership joined by Ed Brown Society Scholars and Fellows, supporters and 1/ST executives.
Since 2022, 1/ST has contributed $150,000 in funding to support the placement of three cohorts of Ed Brown Scholars and Fellows. The Scholars and Fellows gain hands-on industry experience in collaboration with the 1/ST team, including engagement with senior leadership, across diverse operational and administrative functions at 1/ST's venues in California, Florida and Maryland. Students receive ongoing direction from the Ed Brown Society as they progress toward the goal of permanent professional placements within the industry.
"Our partnership with 1/ST is very special to us because 1/ST was literally the first organization to buy in to our vision for broadening participation in the Thoroughbred industry!" said L. Clark Williams, President, Ed Brown Society.
In 2022, Charles Churchill and Deja Robinson were selected as the first Ed Brown Scholars. Proof of the success of this program, their experiences at 1/ST have led them to careers within the industry. Charles is now Project Manager at 1/ST and has just completed his MBA in Finance. Deja is pursuing her passion for veterinary medicine in her current role as a Nursing Staff Technician at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on her way to becoming a veterinarian.
L. Clark Williams added, "We are especially proud of how that internship opportunity served as a springboard for Charles into his current role at 1/ST! We now have a total of 26 Scholars and Fellows in our program, and three Ed Brown Alumni; that would not be possible without the kind of industry leadership 1/ST continues to demonstrate in the continuation of this transformative partnership!"
Past 1/ST placed interns include Charles Churchill and Deja Robinson (2022), Zaharia Selman and Shaska Davis (2023), and Driade Freitas and Jonathan Seunarine (2024). The 2025 cohort will join the 1/ST team in the spring.
