Black Cowboys: History, Rodeo, and Legacy in Texas

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo

• rodeo was founded 41 years ago by Louisan because he noticed a lack of Black representation in major rodeos.
• 🎯 The association was named after Bill Pickett, a prominent African American cowboy, to ensure his history was known.
• 💡 The rodeo aims to celebrate Black culture and history, providing opportunities for Black cowboys and cowgirls to showcase their skills.
• 🏆 Louisan's wife took over leadership when he became ill, continuing the legacy and focusing on providing a safe haven for young rodeo participants.

Unsung Black Cowboys and Cowgirls

• 🤠 Jesse Stall is recognized as one of history's greatest Bronco riders, known for signature competitions and inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame.
• 📮 Mary Fields, nicknamed "Stagecoach Mary," was the first African-American woman to work for the U.S. Postal Service in Montana, also running a laundry service and being a skilled mechanic.
• 🏛️ George McJunkin was a cowboy, ranch foreman, historian, and amateur archaeologist, known for discovering the Folsom site in New Mexico.
• 🐎 Isom Dart was a cattle rustler and rancher, known as an outlaw who later settled down and was depicted in several films.
• ✍️ Nat Love was a writer and cowboy active during the Civil War, born into slavery, who wrote an autobiography and was portrayed in films.

The Black Cowboy Museum

• 🏠 Larry Callis founded the Black Cowboy Museum in Rosenberg, Texas, in 2017, with a major move to Kendleton, Texas, planned for 2025 on land once owned by enslaved people.
• 📜 Callis discovered his own family history, tracing his roots to slave owners and ministers, highlighting the importance of preserving this history.
• 🙏 He believes God called him to open the museum to ensure the history of Black cowboys is not forgotten and to combat movements that seek to remove Black history.
• 🌟 The museum is seen as a labor of love to God, attracting visitors and spreading awareness about this significant part of American history.

Horsepower Ranch and Classic Cars

• 🐎 The Johnson family runs Horsepower Ranch, emphasizing the deep cultural connection between ranching, equestrian life, and African-American heritage in Texas.
• 🚗 In addition to horses, the family owns City Classic Cars and Restorations by Sabra, a classic car restoration company, noted as the largest owned by an African American globally.
• 🌟 They share their achievements as a testament to the idea that dreams can come true through faith, belief in God, and hard work.
• 💪 The family advises enduring trials by keeping God first and understanding that struggle often leads to blessing, encouraging young people to be confident representatives of African-American greatness.

Legacy and Music

• 🎶 The song "Home on the Range" has strong connections to the American West and was notably recorded in 1908 by African-American folklorist John A. Lomax.
• ❤️ The episode concludes with a message to uplift others and a look ahead to the next Studio 5 episode featuring "The Chosen."