The Kentucky Derby turns 150 this year, often overlooked in the history of the Derby, the contributions made by the African American jockeys.

But there have been efforts made in recent years to spotlight those pioneers.

Back in September, the winner of the first Kentucky Derby, Oliver Lewis, was inducted into the Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame.

Just before the event, we spoke to his great great grandson, actor Rodney Van Johnson, about getting Lewis the recognition he deserves.

It very hard to believe that African African-Americans were jockeys back then.

My great great grandfather, Albert Lewis, was the first African-American jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, which is an amazing feat with in itself one of the biggest races in the world.

Everybody is attracted to and to know that that history started with a small African American boy is pretty amazing.

19 years old.

I can't imagine being on a beast like that.

So that means that he had to train for three or four years.

That makes him 14.

Then you got to go back.

You got to bring him in.

Put him on at nine.

But I'm on it.

Ten.

I can't even imagine putting my child on a horse at that age with a hat, not a helmet, not, you know, all of this.

Every family had to do whatever he had to do to survive.

Back then, it was very difficult.

So a lot of people had different occupations outside of being a jockey.

My great great grandfather was also a bookie.

Back then, bookies weren't considered a notable job, but now bookies and gaming and betting is is huge.

So when Oliver won at 19 and he did a couple more races and decided to not race again and do gambling, can you blame the guy?

Why put your life out there and be hurt?

And there were so many, you know, women, men and women who who die, who are in the graves that died or who died because they were trying to feed their family by getting on this, you know, thousands power base to ride so they can make money.

As in everything.

African Americans are always waiting for things to happen that a long time coming.

So now we're here.

Fast forward and this amazing history that's going to be celebrated next year.

And the 150th anniversary just bought everything full force for me.

So since my mom has it in her years and all the family members around the years, I'm pretty much the person is going to be taking over the legacy to keep the hope alive.

Every year there is some type of black history, but last year kind of affect me pretty much because my son was in high school at the time.

He was a senior and information came up and they were asking people, I was like, he's like, Hey, my great great grandfather won the Kentucky Derby.

Now that was everybody looked at him like, you know, he's six three, almost six two.

Like, wait a minute.

He's like, Yeah, the history is so his teacher pulled up the information and found out all the information was true and factual, found out my name and connection.

And it was, it was huge.

So to be able to share that type of history and that type of lineage with your kids, with my kids right now is pretty amazing.

To be able to come full circle and be there representing your your other your grandfather's lineage and the history is is amazing honor.

Indeed.

Van Johnson said he and his family plan to make a documentary on his great, great grandfather's life.