Keeping Western ways alive in the Valley s Black communities
Members of the Valley s Black community are working to keep the western cowboy spirit alive in modern times.
and last updated 2021-05-14 13:32:04-04
LAVEEN, AZ â Most people know the story of the Lone Ranger. It s not so widely known that the story was inspired by Bass Reeves, an African American lawman who became a legend.
African American cowboys played a big part in helping settle the West. That way of life is still around today which you can see if you visit Knight Ranch in Laveen.
A young man by the name of TJ, 23, was fresh off his overnight job and showed up at 6 a.m.
Keeping Western life and culture alive in Valley s African American community
There are forgotten players who helped settle the West. African American cowboys and cowgirls played a big part in keeping the Western spirit alive.
and last updated 2021-05-13 10:34:01-04
PHOENIX â Most images of the Wild West conjure up thoughts of gun-toting cowboys, horses, and shootouts. The faces typically associated with these images are of white men and those who portrayed them like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.
There are forgotten players who helped settle the West. African American cowboys and cowgirls played a big part in keeping the Western spirit alive.
The Arizona Black Rodeo is about more than entertainment. The event gives contestants a place to compete and spread awareness about African American contributions to Southwestern heritage.
âAfrican Americans played a huge part in the history and culture here,â said Lanette Campbell, the rodeoâs founder and director.Â
âIf we donât preserve that heritage and that information, itâs going to get lost.â
Now in its 10th year, the Arizona Black Rodeo is at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at WestWorld of Scottsdale.
Before the Arizona Black Rodeo was established, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo visited Arizona until it cut back on its events. It was then the local rodeo was founded. Itâs co-sanctioned with the Bill Pickett circuit, so qualifying times can be used in the traveling rodeo. Â