The Martin Luther King Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo of Champions (MLK Rodeo) is a longstanding tradition held each year in January at the Denver Coliseum. On Jan. 15 at 6 p.m., competitors from around the country will participate in barrel racing, calf roping, bulldogging and more, to the delight of men, women and children of all ages.
Presented by the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR), the legacy MLK Rodeo celebrates the history and heritage of America’s Black cowboys and cowgirls while paying tribute to the late civil rights leader who advocated for equality through nonviolent protest. The rodeo brings together generations of animal lovers and rodeo enthusiasts from Denver and surrounding areas.
Founded in 1984 by well-known entertainment manager and promoter, Lu Vason, BPIR highlights the vast contributions made by Black cowboys and cowgirls throughout periods of western American expansion.
The Roots of Black Rodeo
The history of Black settlement in the American West is largely unrecorded, but efforts to recount the early Black frontier experience have resulted in a more detailed look into a complicated past.
After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, white settlers began to explore the American West, warring with Indigenous Americans and laying claim to land acquired by brute force and genocide under the assertion of “manifest destiny.” In 1848, the discovery of gold in California further fueled the colonization of the west, with a mass migration that prompted settlements throughout the western frontier. Migration raised the question of slavery’s legality amid expansion, leading to the Compromise of 1850, and a myriad of issues involving territorial jurisdiction and contradicting legal interpretations
Slavery was still legal in Oklahoma, Utah, Nevada and Nebraska – referred to as “Indian Territories” – well past the ratification of the Emancipation Proclamation and Thirteenth Amendment. In 1866, just one day after the Fourteenth Amendment’s approval, slavery was conclusively abolished in the United States by treaty. In the 1870s, Black Americans began migrating away from the oppressive South, moving north and west by the thousands.
The arid climate of the American West was ideal for cattle farming, and by the 1870s and 1880s a great deal of farmers occupied the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains and West Coast. As the cattle industry expanded west from Texas, Black cattle drivers were among the population of Black settlers seeking opportunities in the new frontier.
According to the Library of Congress, Black men were among the first cowboys in the United States. With an estimated 35,000 cowboys in the 19th century, Black cowboys and cowgirls represented approximately 25%. Even the term itself, “cow boy,” is a derivative of the title held by white workers in the same position called “cow hands.”
Early rodeos were opportunities for cowboys and cowgirls to demonstrate their skills in cattle handling while performing daily ranch chores. Originating from 16th century Spanish ranchers and Mexican ranch hands (vaqueros), the cattle wrangling exhibitions included riding and roping skills that test speed and agility.
A Black, Bull-Dogging Rodeo Star
Willie “Bill” Pickett, was one of the first Black cowboys in rodeo and the originator of bulldogging, which involves wrestling a running steer to the ground. He and his four brothers established The Pickett Brothers Bronco Busters and Rough Riders Association, and in 1905 he joined the 101 Ranch Wild West Show, performing around the world and later appearing in movies before his untimely 1932 death.
Vason named BPIR in Pickett’s honor after attending a rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and not seeing any faces that looked like his. Valeria Howard-Cunningham, who was married to Vason, recalls his early motivation to find Black representation in the sport.
“He came back and did a lot of research and found out that there were Black cowboys and cowgirls all across the United States, but they were not given the opportunity or the platforms to showcase their skills,” she says.
Back in Denver, he visited the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center, founded by Paul Steward, who was told as a child that there was no such thing as a Black cowboy. After learning about the significant role Black people played in the growth of the western United States, Vason decided to create the groundbreaking activity for his community.
“Lu thought, ‘Being a promoter, I can do this,’ and he decided he was going to do it,” recalls Howard-Cunningham.
After her husband passed away in 2015, she took the helm, continuing his legacy by stepping into the role of BPIR President and Producer. She reflects on the incredible success the rodeo has seen since its humble beginnings.
“Everybody told him he was crazy; it wouldn’t last; it wouldn’t be successful…We are getting ready to celebrate 40 years in 2024!”
40 Years of Bill Pickett Rodeo
BPIR has grown tremendously since its inception, with events that provide entertainment and education about Black Western heritage.
The rodeo’s Legacy Series includes seven year-round rodeo performances in Memphis, Oakland, Atlanta and Los Angeles, in addition to the National Rodeo Finals in Maryland and the MLK Rodeo in Denver.
Partnerships have been instrumental to the success of the rodeo, with Denver’s MLK Rodeo being held in partnership with the National Western Stock Show for the last 18 years. In addition to increasing visibility to the stock show’s 700,000-plus attendees, stock show partnership offers ample opportunities for animal lovers to participate in the other agricultural attractions.
In 2021, BPIR entered into a partnership with The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR), resulting in a residency at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. Together, the organizations present four rodeo events per year to a diverse audience with guests from around the world.
Howard-Cunningham is excited about the cultural benefit of partnership that helps spread awareness. “It reflects the significance of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, and it also reflects the importance of how the other organizations see us and want to be a part of what we’ve created,” she says.
For the last 40 years, BPIR has presented community-based events that educate, entertain and pay tribute to generations of people whose cultural identity is rooted in western agriculture and heritage. The organization will celebrate the occasion with various activities planned for each market it serves.
“We are very fortunate, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, to also be celebrating four and five generations of people who have followed the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo from the beginning. We have families whose parents, grandparents and great grandparents brought them to the rodeo,” boasts Howard-Cunningham.
The Fight to Preserve History
Thinking back to Vason’s initial rodeo endeavors and the negative attitudes surrounding his early ambitions, Howard-Cunningham is looking to the future in the face of opposition in one BPIR market.
In December, the Los Angeles City Council proposed an ordinance that would prohibit rodeo events from occurring within city limits. Though the original ordinance failed, the council went on to accept a new proposal that will be reviewed by a committee and brought to the Los Angeles community for discussion before moving forward. If approved, the proposal will ban rodeo events in the city; Howard-Cunningham and other rodeo proponents are hopeful that genuine conversations and inclusive input will create cultural protections for the beloved sport.
“It always appears that when we are doing things to uplift our communities and save our kids and our culture, somebody finds an angle to destroy that,” says Howard-Cunningham. “We’re celebrating our culture and our heritage together, and doing something good for the community and for the kids.”
Despite opposition from animal rights supporters who say that rodeo events are cruel to the animal, she acknowledges the love and care shown to livestock. “We are not abusing animals or anything like that. Our cowboys and cowgirls spend money that they don’t have buying and taking care of these animals. They’re like their best friends!”
In an article published by Sports Illustrated, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association indicated that out of 13,311 animals in the rodeo arena during California competitions in 2022, only 18 reported injuries (or 0.13%) occurred.
For Howard-Cunningham, claims that rodeo events are harmful to animals are unfounded, and take away from the benefit of programs that teach cultural and agricultural awareness. She points to animal therapy and the effectiveness of animal interaction to reduce stress and lower blood pressure.
“You don’t hear them saying, ‘Let’s stop eating animals, and let’s stop buying things that are made from animals.’ It’s a large hypocrisy. But we are not going to give up. We are going to continue to fight, because what we have established is something good,” she remarks, pointing out that other less-inclusive animal-based sports such as polo have not been banned.
BPIR will not be directly affected by the final ruling in Los Angeles, which is held in the adjacent City of Industry. However, Howard-Cunningham is concerned that ordinances may have a domino effect in the future. While the city council irons out the details of the newly imposed ban, she encourages supporters to continue advocacy efforts. “The fight is not over,” she warns.
“I get emails from people all the time saying, ‘Please keep doing what you’re doing because we raised our kids on the Bill Pickett Rodeo, and we want our kids and grandkids to be able to raise their kids on it too.’ So it makes me feel warm to know that we’ve created something that people are proud of and cherish. They see this as theirs…It’s their rodeo, and I’m just proud to be a part of that.”
Fun for All
The MLK Rodeo features a thrilling environment with plenty of food, music and excitement for people of all ages.
Children as young as 3-years old participate in “Pee Wee” events for ages 3 to 6. Junior and adult events are fast-paced and fun, with professional cowboys and cowgirls from around the country giving their best efforts and showcasing their speed, skill and talent.
“There are so many things I love about the rodeo, but most of all is that it is a family,” says Howard-Cunningham. “People come together and it’s a place where everybody is just excited to be with each other. There are no barriers separating anybody. It’s just about love and having fun.”
Much like remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of hope, equality and peace, the rodeo is a great way to reflect on Black history with gratitude for those who devoted their lives to expansion and social justice. From the early exploration of the American West to modern social and economic advancements, Black people have overcome obstacles and found ways to enjoy life with cultural festivities and unique flair.
“I appreciate the Denver family for the support over the years, and never letting us down and always supporting us,” says Howard-Cunningham in anticipation of the celebratory event. “Every year we just get larger and larger, and people bring their families and their organizations and make it a grand celebration to remind us of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message – a message of equality for all!”
Editor’s Note: For tickets and event information, visit www.BillPickettRodeo.com.
Born and raised in Denver, CO, Ruby has traveled and lived internationally, spending time near major metropolitan cities such as Baltimore, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans and Copenhagen, Denmark. She has been recognized by the Colorado Press Association for her editorial community reporting, and actively participates in programming that advances racial justice and diversity in media. With a background in nonprofit administration, she seeks to strengthen communities and transform lives through education, empowerment and activism. She is the CEO and Founder of PRSM Business Services and PRSM Communications, and her focus areas include history, empowered women, relationships, business, entertainment, youth leadership, arts and culture.
