Black Cowboys: Recommended Resources

The stereotypical image of a White cowboy dominates popular culture – but in the 19th century, a quarter of ranch hands were Black!

The Hard Ride is an intimate look at black cowboys as they gather for a rodeo and dance on the 40 acre Circle 6 Ranch in Raywood, Texas.

'Little Black cowboys need their heroes too,' sings Black country-western singer Jae R. Mason, as part of a movement to recapture the Black presence in the Old West.

In celebration of Black History Month, the series focuses on various aspects of the Black experience in America. One of the areas the program will examine is the history of African American pioneers.

On the history and current lifestyle of Black cowboys in California.

A brief read on the rich history and evolution of Black cowboys over time.

A story about the true origins of the American cowboy as we know it today

Black cowboys have long been represented in Hollywood, but not always accurately.

One in four cowboys was black. So why aren’t they more present in popular culture?

On modern Black cowboys and reclaiming their roots.

The image of a typical American cowboy – a rough-hewn white guy in dirt stained blue jeans, cowboy hat and boots – is a staple of Western movies and modern country music. But as icons go, it gives an incomplete picture.

Born in Independence, Missouri, around 1844, she was the first African American female solider to enlist with the Army. She is the only documented Black woman to serve in the Army in the 19th century. She is the only known Black female soldier a part of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Williams' determination to serve her country demonstrates the extraordinary feats women have accomplished simply trying to live their lives.

A formerly enslaved woman secretly became a Buffalo Soldier and was able to hide her gender from her fellow infantrymen for years.

Cathay Williams or William Cathay (Cathey) Private, Thirty-eighth U.S. Infantry 1866-1868

The First African-American Woman To Enlist In The Army and the only female member of the Buffalo Soldiers

Her story could easily serve as a western myth – a portrait of so-called frontier courage in the face of insurmountable odds. But we look more closely at the way her choice to live as a Black male soldier also reflects the extremely limited options available to Black women at the time.

Founded by Larry Callies, The Black Cowboy Museum is preserving the legacy of America's Black Cowboy. Step into the boots of the likes of Bass Reeves, Nat Love, and Bill Pickett. Meet the important African American cowboys who shaped the history of the West as well as the ones who will shape the future.

Their exhibitions span over centuries of military conflicts ranging from the Revolutionary War to present day. They highlight the stories and contributions of African American men and women
and the great sacrifices they made in the defense of our Nation and its citizens.