Photography Portfolio-: Black Rodeo

During the “Wild West” it is estimated that one out of every six cowboys was a Black American. Until now, there has been a false perception that Black Cowboys did not exist in the U.S. Rodeo scene. Now on any given Sunday afternoon within a 60-mile radius of Houston, Texas, black cowboys can be found competing in all-black rodeos. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) now pays tribute to the legacy of the Black cowboys and cowgirls that helped shaped the West as we know it.

The self proclaimed “Greatest Show on Dirt”, BPIR celebrates its 23rd year as the only touring black rodeo in the world visiting ten cities nationwide each season. Some black cowboys make a living competing for prize money on the (BPIR) others are weekend warriors who have regular jobs to support their rodeo habit. On this weekend the rodeo made its biggest stop in South Texas which is the hub of black cowboys nationwide drawing over 300 contestants and a rodeo attendance of approx. 3,000 fans. While some black rodeo cowboys regularly compete at formerly all-white rodeos most black cowboys choose to compete at all black events however most competitors will tell you they are cowboys first and Black second.

Photographer Mark Allen Johnson

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