While you’d be hard-pressed to find Black men leading a big-budget Hollywood Western, Black cowboy culture is still alive and kicking in the Midwest. Even though Black cowboys played a massive role in shaping the American West, working en-masse in states like Texas, pop culture seems to have passed them by in favor of characters like the Lone Ranger. But even though you won’t find them up on the big screen, you may see them riding in the Pony Express—not the delivery service, but one of the events the Oklahoma Cowboys Foundation highlights to share the accomplishments of Black cowboys of the past and present.”
Founded by Oklahoma City-based photographer Jakian Parks in 2022, the Oklahoma Cowboys was started as a way to honor the fond memories he shared of going to the rodeo as a child with his Aunt, Shay Nolan. The organization is dedicated to reconnecting Black folks to a culture that once felt dominated by Black figures like Nat Love and Bass Reeves.
One of the biggest roadblocks the organization noticed preventing Black youth from getting invested in rodeo and cowboy culture is a stark lack of representation. While the world celebrates and endorses NBA and NFL stars, other opportunities for budding Black athletes can get lost in the conversation.
“Most young Black boys are influenced to play football or basketball without realizing they can excel at being a cowboy,” Chloe Flowers, editorial director of the Oklahoma Cowboys, said.
The foundation is working to combat that narrative through its annual youth summer camp, which focuses on connecting Black youth to nature and introducing them to the cowboy lifestyle. It gives kids the opportunity to get out of the inner-city environment and immerse themselves in the environment where cowboys roam, and a chance for the Oklahoma Cowboys to teach them the traditions embraced by Black cowboys.
“The biggest tradition is the reintroduction of the persona and mentality of historic black cowboys and cowgirls—which is to be rich in mastery of nature, self-motivation, and a life of quality,” said Flowers. The five-day long camp is designed to inspire kids to not only become confident leaders but also dream beyond what they see at home and in the media. Giving kids these opportunities early is crucial, Flowers says, because “once Black youth realize that being a cowboy or girl is an option, we know that they will dominate like their ancestors did and as we do in everything else.”
Kids can see these skills in action during The Oklahoma Cowboys’ summer camp in June 2024. The iconic name honors the riders who mounted their horses and braved unpredictable weather and constant danger to complete each important delivery. The title is fitting, as eight courageous competitors get in their saddles and race to the finish in front of hundreds of cheering spectators. The event generates a lot of excitement from the Black community, providing “a safe space for black folks to exercise competitiveness in a way that is exhilarating and unique to us,” said Flowers.
“The awareness that the Pony Express creates is an example of how powerful we are when we come together and attests to be a moment of urban jubilation.” It’s a powerful reminder of the important community that is formed in Black rodeo culture, and something that kept Parks’ drawn to the needs of today’s Black cowboys.
At the end of the day, the Oklahoma Cowboys are working to restore a connection to the land and culture that Black communities were so vital in shaping. With programs and outreach like camp and the Pony Express bringing a unique experience directly to the community, the foundation hopes that Black children will realize that the possibilities for their future don’t rest solely on a basketball court or cement sidewalks.
“More Black cowboys will exist when we are collectively reminded of our natural abilities to farm and expand,” said Flowers. When more Black kids see themselves on the saddle, then “we know they will dominate like their ancestors did and as we do in everything else.”
