Published: TUESDAY April 16, 2024: 'This Ain't My First Rodeo' by ZUMA Press award winning photo-journalist Brian Branch-Price: The history of African American cowboys and cowgirls and their role in settling across the USA isn't that much different from the history of other African American groups and it's been largely ignored by historians and the media, the fact is that African Americans made up roughly 25 percent of the cowboys responsible for the historic movement from east to west. Fast forward to today and pop superstar Beyonce, who is from Houston, is making history as the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart. Beyonce hails from Texas, homeland of North American cowboy culture. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is committed to keeping the cowboy way of life and upholding the important contributions black cowboys and cowgirls played in helping tame the Old West. The event named after Bill Pickett, who was the first Black rodeo athlete to be inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame, honors his legacy and the impact he made on Black Western Heritage. Black riders and fans bring a sense of cool to a culture overlooked by the history books. Welcome to 'This Ain't My First Rodeo'
© zReportage.com Issue #935 Story of the Week: Published: TUESDAY April 16, 2024: 'This Ain't My First Rodeo' by ZUMA Press award winning photo-journalist Brian Branch-Price: The history of African American cowboys and cowgirls and their role in settling across the USA isn't that much different from the history of other African American groups and it's been largely ignored by historians and the media, the fact is that African Americans made up roughly 25 percent of the cowboys responsible for the historic movement from east to west. Fast forward to today and pop superstar Beyonce, who is from Houston, is making history as the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart. Beyonce hails from Texas, homeland of North American cowboy culture. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is committed to keeping the cowboy way of life and upholding the important contributions black cowboys and cowgirls played in helping tame the Old West. The event named after Bill Pickett, who was the first Black rodeo athlete to be inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame, honors his legacy and the impact he made on Black Western Heritage. Black riders and fans bring a sense of cool to a culture overlooked by the history books. Welcome to 'This Ain't My First Rodeo'

GEORGE MAXFIELD, also known as 'Max Diesel' on his 34 acre farm in Brandywine. Mayfield had over 300 guest for his annual trail ride, fish fry, bon fire, games and dance.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Cowboys L-R PARK SLOPE SLIM, JR THOMPSON, JR, and (the late) JESSIE WISE MOUNTAIN all members of the Black Cowboys Federation and and the Crazy Faith Riders during the annual Crazy Faith Riders trail ride at the Round Valley Youth Center in Lebanon. The trail ride includes camping and horseback trail riding for youths and adults.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

AL LYNCH of Philadelphia, talks to his fellow cowboys and cowgirls with his horse Azure Blue in Atco. Lynch along with other cowboys and cowgirls, from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey participated in the Crazy Faith Riders toiletry fund drive donations for the Mt. Nebo Holy Church Outreach Ministry of Mt. Holly, N.J. Lynch grew up in North Philadelphia in a section called the village, riding horses and rode out of The Fletcher Street Stables. Lynch played himself in the Netflix release 'Concrete Cowboy.'
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Wire

Cowgirl KOURTNEY competes during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Championship 2022.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Two young sister cowgirls during the MidWest invitational Rodeo at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Bellville. Nearly 1000 attendees were on hand.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

A rodeo fan at the second annual Defeat the Beast Rodeo at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas over six thousand tickets were sold.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

COLYER BLAND of Crete, IL competes in the Mid West invitational Rodeo at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Bellville, MI. Bland missed an opportunity to rope a calf in the calf roping event.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Left, HARREL WILLIAMS JR. of Hempstead, Texas and LINDON DEMERY of Beggs, Oklahoma practice roping while their friends watch during a break at the 35th annual Bill Picket Invitational Rodeo Championships at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Wire

PARIS WILBURD of Austin, AK holds the American Flag before the grand entry of the second annual 'Defeat the Beast' Rodeo at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock. Wilburd (15), was the 2023 Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Champion and won the barrels in the Defeat the Beast Rodeo with a time of just over 14 seconds.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

The Grand Entry during the 68th annual Roy Leblanc invitational rodeo qualifying times in Oklmulgee. The grand entry is open to all horseman with horses and snaking a line during opening ceremonies. The entry included nearly 500 horseman.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Cowgirls in 'daisy dukes' during the annual Ebony Horsemen Trail ride in Mooresboro, NC. The trail ride consisted of about 800 riders as far away as Texas and New York and New Jersey as well as Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The ride ended with a traditional lunch, rodeo, musical band, DJ and line dancing.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

DAMON HOPKINS JR. holds onto his father Damon Sr.‚'s horse before the grand in the second annual Defeat the Beast Rodeo at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas Damon Sr. won the Bronc Horse competition.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

KORTNEE SOLOMON Competes in the Ladies Break away event during qualifications of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Championships at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Former NFL Player ROBERT HUGHES and now Black cowboy competitor (R) plays role as pick-up man in the steer wrestling competition during the MidWest invitational Rodeo at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Bellville.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

DUSTY HARRIS of Harrisburg, PA, left shares a laugh with a fellow cowboy after getting down off his horse at the Crazy Faith Riders trail ride fund drive donations for the Mt. Nebo Holy Church Outreach Ministry of Mt. Holly, N.J.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

'Carolina Cowboy' with a rope in his hand at the arena during the third day of the Ebony Horseman trail ride.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Young rodeo riders wait for their awards after competing in the annual Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Championships at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Breakaway and barrel racer cowgirl LUCILLE COOK JACKSON of Angleton, TX participates in the second annual 'Defeat the Beast Rodeo' at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas. Cook Jackson has been rodeoing since the age of 5.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

A cowboy tracks down a cow by holding its tail, during the second annual Defeat the Beast Rodeo at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

A young cowboys on a horse during King George Maxfield's annual birthday bash in Brandywine.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

A cowboy holds on to his jar of moon shine during a meet and greet in the 'BOOM-BOOM Room' during opening night of the Ebony Horseman trail ride Shelby North Carolina, At least a 800 horseman participate in the trail ride and over 25,000 spectators attended to see the rodeo.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Young rodeo riders, PARIS WILBURD, (14) of Austin, AK, MALIYAH PETE, (14) of Oklahoma City and KORTNEE SOLOMON, (14), of Hempstead, TX, walk in the alley way of the 68th annual Roy Leblanc invitational in Oklmulgee, OK. The girls are competing in the Junior barrel racing event. Wilburd leads in the Bill Pickett Rodeo barrel racing even with 150 points.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Models appear for the opening of The annual Midwest Invitational Rodeo at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Bellville, MI.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Cowboys take a break during a lunch of the 67 annual Prairie View Trail Riders Association second leg of their100 mile journey in Hempstead, Texas. The Black cowboy group will converge in Houston's Memorial Park with three other Black Cowboy groups for the opening ceremonies of the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Black Cowboys and Cowgirls take lunch break in their covered wagon in Waller County Texas during the Prairie View Trail Riders Association 67th annual Prairie View Trail Riders Association trail ride on their 100 mile journey from Hempstead, TX to Houston for the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Members of the Fletcher Street Urban Riding riding in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. The members are celebrating club president's, El-Dog's 85th birthday. The Club's history includes the filming of the 'Concrete Cowboy' which featured actor Idris Elba.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire

Riders L-R GEORGE CLEMONS, (27) of Ludowici, Ga, LEON JAMISON of Aiken, SC and KALIN BEIL, (25) of Houston, TX during opening day of the Ebony Horseman trail ride. At least 800 horseman participate in the trail ride and over 20-25,000 spectators attended to see the rodeo. The event space is 20 acres and holds up to five thousand campers, cars, and tents.
© Brian Branch Price/ZUMA Press Wire