Legends of the Arena: Black Cowboys Share Their Legacy and Inspire Future Generations

 By: Paris Blaylock

Lassoes, cowboy hats and saddles were mounted next to three leather couches on the stage in Sawyer Auditorium.  

Moments later those seats would be filled with legends from the realm of Black cowboys.  

From bull riders to stock contractors, professionals shared insights on the challenges of race and gender in the realm of Black country life.  

Often overshadowed, Black cowboys are a major part of history in the United States (U.S.). They have been sailing lassoes and wrangling livestock since slavery.  

Sadly, with modern development, the world of Black cowboys has grown lesser known, and their history and significance has been buried.  

However, with the work of cowboys like 89-year-old Myrtis Dightman, a keynote speaker on today’s panel, the legacy of Black country living continues. 

 Dightman is known to many as the “Jackie Robinson of Rodeo” because he was the first African American man to compete at the national level.  

His deep Southern accent reigned over the room and the audience listened intently to soak up his words of wisdom. 

“They said it can’t be done, but it can be done if you want to, ” he said.  

Myrtis Dightman

Although he was the first of his kind, Dightman feels he did not face racial discrimination. 

 “I don’t know how people didn’t get along. I got along with everybody. Everybody treated me nice and I don’t know why. I’m no better than anyone else,” He said. 

Another panelist Ramone Jackson spoke in admiration of Dightman and his ambition, highlighting how it fueled his own.  

“You guys encouraged me to want to climb. In order to reach the top, you have to have the courage to climb and not be afraid to fall,” he said to Dightman. 

Ramone Jackson

The world of rodeo is extensive, from judges to stock contractors, but despite numerous opportunities, representation is limited.  

Overcoming adversity is not an easy task and proves to be discouraging of the work and effort it takes to participate.  

Jackson who is a stock contractor, promoter, and the CEO of RRJ Rodeo Company, serves as a reminder of the barriers encountered by Black cowboys today, not only in terms of racial representation but also in being seen and celebrated for their accomplishments. 

“To know that you have great animals that are bucking on the same level as their animals, maybe even better, but you don’t get the credit for it.” Jackson said.  

Ramone Jackson

“You don’t get to stand on the back of the chute in your letters and decal.” 

Although deep disparities persist within the small Black rodeo community, another panelist Deshaunna Loud, a rodeo photographer and former competitor, finds her inspiration in the challenge of standing out as a woman in a male-dominated sport. 

“It was always me, the only girl, everywhere I went,” she said. “I think that’s what pushed me to be different. I didn’t want to fit in with nobody.” 

Deshaunna Loud

Whether wrangling animals or pursuing photography, she stands as a testament to what is possible, regardless of gender, and she attributes her involvement in photography to her deep love for rodeo. 

“If I wanted to tie down a calf, I was gonna go tie down a calf. I didn’t care,” Loud said. 

Individuals like Pat Headen, a World Champion Lady Bull Rider, and Dightman, the “Jackie Robinson of Rodeo,” ultimately paved the way for panelists like Jackson and Loud.  

Texas Southern University students like Folake Adewale traveled from St. Louis, Missouri, to hear from professionals and engage in Texas’s country experience.  

Her love for country life drew her to Texas Southern University, further leading her in front of experts like Jackson. 

“I love country life; that’s one of the reasons I decided to come down to Texas,” she said.  

Folake Adewale

She said she feels her journey began today with the opportunity to hear directly from experts. 

“This will probably be the entrance because I haven’t had any other opportunity to talk to actual black cowboys while I’ve been in Texas, so this was a really great opportunity for that,” Adewale said.  

Having historical figures directly before the youth opens doors into the great unknown and TSU Professor Arnette Law emphasized how significant it is for the youth to understand their roots. 

“It is extremely important because we have to know where we came from to know where we’re going,” she said.   

Professor Arnette Law

The panelist highlighted the profound legacy of Black cowboys and inspired the next generation to tear down the barriers in the rodeo world. 

 Due to the engagement with figures like Dightman, Jackson and Loud, students like Folake Adewale are able to gain a sense of purpose and identity within the diverse culture.  

The stories shared during this event are a reminder that despite challenges, there is a growing movement to uplift Black voices in the rodeo community.  

By learning the history and embracing the heritage, the community continues to open doors to new generations, ensuring that the legacy of Black cowboys remains alive and thriving.