D. Wayne Lukas is one of the most successful and influential horse trainers in the history of American Thoroughbred racing. Known for his meticulous preparation and innovative training techniques, Lukas has left an indelible mark on the sport, achieving numerous milestones throughout his illustrious career.
Born Darrell Wayne Lukas on September 2, 1935, in Antigo, Wisconsin, Lukas began his career in horse training with quarter horses before transitioning to Thoroughbreds in the late 1970s. He quickly gained a reputation for his work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to develop winning horses.
D. Wayne Lukas is often called the “Coach” due to his background in coaching basketball before becoming a full-time horse trainer. His impact on the sport is vast, not only through his successes but also his influence on the next generation of trainers. His longevity in the sport and continued involvement well into his later years demonstrate his enduring passion for horse racing.
Lukas is considered a legend in Thoroughbred racing. His contributions to the sport have been recognized with numerous awards and honors.
He remains an iconic figure in the horse racing community, known for his remarkable career and the profound influence he has had on the sport.
The Louisville Urban League is a historic civil rights organization and part of the National Urban League movement.
He leads a team of dynamic individuals working to transform Louisville into a more equitable community for Black people and other marginalized populations through intentional work in Jobs, Justice, Education, Health, Housing, and black Business.
Before his current role, Pryor spent 8 years with the organization in various capacities, including as Chief Engagement Officer, where he spearheaded special projects like A Path Forward for Louisville, oversaw all communications areas, and enhanced the smooth and efficient integration of services to maximize the potential outcomes for every League participant.
Mr. Pryor also created and led the League’s community health program, “It Starts with Me!” and helped build and grow Louisville’s network of community health workers.
Since then, he has helped to establish policy positions, internal data systems, & critical infrastructure support for the League’s work.
Before arriving in Louisville, Lyndon was a Student Development Specialist at Texas A&M Univ., where he worked to assist students in their personal growth & build their professional competencies & leadership skills.
Mr. Pryor provided critical leadership, supporting students by creating programs that effectively merge academic and practical experiences.
He is a proud former student of Texas A&M University, where he received his B.S. in Political Science.
He also received his M.A. in Education and human development from GWU.
He is a husband, father, and avid believer in the potential of all and that communal knowledge enhances individual growth!
Lyndon Pryor is the President and CEO of the Louisville Urban League, having been unanimously selected for the role in December 2023 after serving as the interim president and CEO since March 2023.
Pryor has been with the Louisville Urban League since 2015, initially leading the community health program “It Starts with Me!” and later serving as the Chief Engagement Officer.
He oversaw communications, special projects, and community engagement efforts in this role.
Before joining the Louisville Urban League, Pryor worked in student development at Texas A&M University.
His work at the Urban League has been marked by efforts to support Black-owned businesses, reduce gun violence through local policy action, and address systemic racial inequities in Louisville.
Pryor’s leadership is characterized by his innovative and forward-thinking approach, commitment to serving marginalized communities, and ability to build trust and respect among colleagues and the community.
His strategic vision aims to continue the positive impact of the Louisville Urban League in addressing social and economic disparities.
Al, whose real name is Allen Ray Sarven, is a well-known figure in the Prof. wrestling industry, both as a performer & a trainer.
Born on July 18, 1963, in Lima, Ohio, Snow has had a long & varied wrestling career for major organizations, such as WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling), & TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling), among others.
Al is perhaps best known for his time in WWE during the late 1990s/early 2000s, where he was recognized for his charismatic persona & in-ring abilities.
He was also famous for his gimmick with “Head,” a mannequin head that he carried to the ring & used as part of his act, which became a massive hit with fans! In addition to his wrestling career, Al Snow is a respected wrestling trainer.
He took over Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), a Lou., KY.-based wrestling promotion that has served as WWE’s & Impact Wrestling’s developmental territory.
Under Snow’s leadership, OVW has continued to be a prominent training ground for up-and-coming wrestling talent, contributing significantly to the development of future stars.
Snow was heavily featured in the 2023 NETFLIX docuseries Wrestlers. Following the series release, OVW had their first Thursday night sold-out show in 8 years.
Al has 6 children, & in 2017, he married the lovely Jessica Gousha; & in 2021!
Lastly, Snow saved a child’s life from an ocean riptide at Santa Rosa Beach; this act tells me that wrestlers have a lot of heart!
***DISCLAIMER***
***THIS MOXIETALK WAS FILMED ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd, 2024 ***
*On June 12th, 2024, due to allegations of sexual harassment allegations of LMPD officers under her command, Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel was placed on administrative leave by Louisville Metro Mayor Craig Greenberg.*
***On June 25, 2024, Chief Villaroel subsequently resigned from her position by submitting a detailed resignation letter.***
***In the spirit of transparency, and the fact it is of public record, we have attached herein a PDF of her June 25th, 2024 resignation letter***
Chief Vilaroel became the Chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department after being officially appointed to the position on July 20th, 2023.
***This made her the first permanent female African-American police chief in Kentucky history***
She joined the LMPD in 2021 as the deputy chief and served as interim chief starting in January 2023 following the departure of LMPD Chief Erika Shields.
Gwinn-Villaroel has over 24 years of experience in law enforcement. She previously served with the Atlanta Police Department and held various roles, including major, detective, and training academy director.
Gwinn-Villaroel’s tenure has been marked by a strong focus on rebuilding community trust and addressing violent crime in Louisville. She has emphasized the importance of police presence in the community and has implemented initiatives to improve relations between the police and residents. This includes engaging with local clergy and visiting community spaces like barber shops to foster dialogue and understanding.
One of her significant tasks as chief involves working under a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice to implement reforms to address civil rights violations within the department.
Her leadership style is characterized by a commitment to transparency and accountability and a focus on crime reduction and community engagement.
Gwinn-Villaroel has also prioritized securing more funding for officer training and developing youth programs to prevent crime.
Her approach aims to ensure that every citizen can feel safe and secure in their daily activities, reflecting her broader goal of creating a more harmonious and just community.
Previously, she served as Interim Chief, further implementing police reforms, creating the Non-Fatal Shooting Squad, & Stop-the-Violence Community Outreach.
Her career began with the Atlanta Police Dept., where she earned promotions through the ranks.
As the Mjr. over the Training Academy, she implemented new de-escalation training for recruits & veteran officers.
She also implemented duty-to-intercede training, which emphasizes de-escalation & officer accountability.
Gwinn-Villaroel holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice & a Master’s in Public Safety Administration.
She is affiliated with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, and the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police.
Gwinn-Villaroel is a wife, mother, & an ordained Pastor.