HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
Long before the days of John Wayne, there were black cowboys who traveled across the land and steered herd back in the 1800's. Today, black cowboys are rarely seen or heard from, but several groups of African American riders are hoping to change that.
Organizers with the Huntsville Black Rodeo are bringing the first ever rodeo show with black cowboys to town. It's meant to be a history lesson for those who attend.
"I wanted to destroy all those negative connotations on the minds of African Americans and give kids the opportunity to see something different," said D. Williams, cowboy and promoter.
Fans of the rodeo will get to see some barrel races, calf roping and bull riding. A family, fun event that will take place at Alabama A&M's Agribition Center Saturday. Williams took the time to practice before the show with Sky, one of the rodeo horses.
Thad Heard has been "steer" wrestling since the 1990's. He travels to different locations, participating in local rodeo shows. He said kids learn nothing about black cowboys in school these days.
"All we want them to know is that there is such thing as black cowboys, that we are not pretending, it's a part of our history," said Heard.
The rodeo is a million dollar industry which Williams hopes the future generation will cash in on some day.
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Alabama A&M's Agribition Center hosts Huntsville's first black rodeo.
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