One Big Family Reunion: The Bill Pickett Rodeo Merges Fun, Culture, and Heritage

Black Cowboys Hiding in Plain Sight

When most people picture a cowboy, the image that comes to mind is rarely one of a Black man or woman. For decades, popular culture—through movies, books, and advertising—has painted cowboys as exclusively white, perpetuating a myth that erases the contributions of people of color in the American West. The collective imagination has long associated cowboying—ranching, roping, and rodeoing—with a particular type of person, as if the culture itself were built solely by and for them.

But history tells a different story. Black cowboys have been a fundamental part of the fabric of the West since its earliest days. In fact, after the Civil War, it’s estimated that nearly one in four cowboys was Black, yet their presence has been largely omitted from mainstream narratives. These men and women played critical roles in cattle drives, ranching operations, and the development of the rodeo culture that still thrives today.

Among the most iconic of these figures was Bill Pickett, a man whose influence on the sport of rodeo is unmatched. Pickett, a trailblazer in every sense, revolutionized the rodeo world with his innovative and daring techniques, including the development of “bulldogging,” or steer wrestling, a skill still practiced in rodeos today. His legacy remains an integral part of rodeo history, but for years, his contributions—along with those of other Black cowboys—have been overshadowed.

Enter the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR), a traveling celebration of Black cowboy culture that ensures these stories are no longer ignored. The rodeo, which stops in cities across the U.S., provides a space where Black cowboys and cowgirls can showcase their skills, embrace their heritage, and inspire future generations. This month, the event makes its highly anticipated stop in Fort Worth, Texas, bringing with it a sense of community, competition, and cultural pride.

One Big Family Reunion

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo was born out of both exclusion and fate.

In the early 1980s, Lu Vason, a promoter, businessman, and cultural visionary, attended a rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming. While he enjoyed the event, something was glaringly absent—Black representation. Curious, Vason began researching the history of Black cowboys and quickly discovered a wealth of talent that had been largely shut out of mainstream rodeo circuits. Despite their deep historical ties to cowboy culture, Black cowboys and cowgirls were rarely given opportunities to compete or perform on major stages.

So, Vason decided to change that.

In 1984, he founded the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, creating the first all-Black touring rodeo circuit. His goal was simple yet groundbreaking: to provide Black rodeo athletes with the platform and recognition they had long been denied.

“As fate would have it, my husband attended a rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming way back in the ’80s,” says Valeria Cunningham-Hudson, Vason’s widow and the current leader of the rodeo. “He had the best time, but he didn’t see anyone who looked like him. He did some research and was shocked to find that there were Black cowboys and cowgirls eager to show their skills, but there wasn’t a way available to them. So Lu did what he did best—he created one.”

Now, four decades later, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is recognized as one of the most prestigious and culturally significant rodeo events in the country. More than just a competition, it has evolved into a celebration of Black excellence, resilience, and heritage.

“We don’t apologize for who we are,” Cunningham-Hudson explains. “We’re Black cowboys, cowgirls, and people, coming together for what I like to call one big family reunion. From the music to the food and all points in between, we take pride in our approach to championing our heritage, embracing the cowboy culture, and having an incredible time doing it.”

And that celebration isn’t just limited to the rodeo arena. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has become a full-fledged cultural experience, featuring live music, soul food vendors, cowboy fashion showcases, and a family-friendly environment that draws attendees of all backgrounds.

Overcoming Challenges Along the Way

As with any groundbreaking endeavor, the journey of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has not been without its struggles. Perhaps the most difficult challenge came in 2015, when Lu Vason passed away, leaving behind not just a grieving family, but an entire rodeo community wondering what the future would hold.

“Losing Lu hurt, and it still hurts,” Cunningham-Hudson says. “But it would be even more painful if we allowed his vision to die with him. Our love for him is reflected in our unwavering commitment to continuing what he started, in a way that he would be proud of.”

Vason’s passing created uncertainty, especially among corporate sponsors who had been key to the rodeo’s success. Some of these major sponsors hesitated to continue their partnerships, skeptical about whether a Black woman in a White, male-dominated industry could maintain the event’s momentum.

But Cunningham-Hudson refused to be deterred. She knew that beyond the business side, the rodeo had become a lifeline for Black cowboys and cowgirls, a space where they could be seen, heard, and celebrated. She also knew that generations of rodeo lovers—many of whom had never seen themselves represented in the sport—were counting on her to keep the tradition alive.

Here for the Long Haul

Instead of retreating in the face of doubt, Cunningham-Hudson doubled down on Vason’s original mission, bringing even more creativity and passion to the rodeo.

“By the time of Lu’s departure, our rodeo had become the missing piece in the lives of so many in the Black cowboy community,” she explains. “Sponsors became skeptics, but we won them over by digging deeper, tapping into another level of creativity. As a result, the event has become bigger and better than ever.”

While the rodeo remains deeply rooted in Black culture, its reach extends far beyond. The event attracts diverse audiences, proving that the legacy of the Black cowboy is not just a niche history lesson—it’s a universal story of perseverance, skill, and adventure.

“When you come to The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, you’re bound to run into someone from just about every background and ethnicity,” Cunningham-Hudson says. “And that’s a testament to the power of Black culture. We realize there’s a move afoot to erase so much of what our race has contributed, but as long as I’m at the helm, I can assure you, we’ll remain true to the vision of Lu, focusing on the proud legacy of the Black cowboy.”

Now entering its 40th year, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. From Houston to Los Angeles, Atlanta to Oakland, the rodeo continues to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future.

In a world that has tried to erase Black cowboys from history, this rodeo stands as a defiant reminder of their existence, their excellence, and their enduring legacy.

It’s not just a rodeo. It’s history in motion. It’s culture on display.

And most of all, it’s one big family reunion.

Black Cowboys Hiding in Plain Sight

When you think about a cowboy, the last image that comes to the mind of most is a person of color, especially a Black person. Movies, books, consumer psyches, and the greater American story as it relates to cowboying are devoid of color. Cowboying has always been positioned as a sacred realm of sorts where only the colorless were allowed to dwell. Ranching, roping, and rodeoing – (where all the fun happens!) are places and things reserved for them, not us, right? Wrong.

The truth is that many of the first cowboys and pillars of that world were indeed Black, ranching, roping, and yes, rodeoing their way through life, including Bill Pickett. Pickett was an institution and the standard by which all cowboys, not just Black ones, were judged. His spirit, legacy, and the standard he set are at the heart of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, held in stops across the nation, including one this month in Fort Worth.

One big Family Reunion 

Founded by Lu Vason in 1984, exclusion was the impetus for the event — exclusion and fate. “As fate would have it, my husband attended a rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming way back in the 80’s and while he had the best time, he didn’t see anyone who looked like him” said his widow, Valeria Cunningham-Hudson. “He did some research and was shocked to find that there were Black cowboys and cowgirls eager to show their skills, but there wasn’t a way available to them … so Lu did what he did best … he created one.”

In the four decades since making that fateful decision, the Bill Pickett International Rodeo has become widely recognized as one of the signature events in the entire sport, admired for its’ unique makeup and focus. “We don’t apologize for who we are. We’re Black cowboys, cowgirls, and people, coming together for what I like to call one big family reunion. As such, we’re committed to constantly building an experience that’s relatable to our core customer. From the music to food and all points in between, we take pride in our approach to championing our heritage, embracing the cowboy culture, and having an incredible time doing it.”

Trying Times 

Have there been challenges along the way, of course, most notably the passing of Lu in 2015. “Losing Lu hurt and still hurts … but it’d be much more painful had we allowed the vision of this event pass with him. The love we have for him comes through in our undying pledge to continue what he started in a spirit and manner he’d approve of.”

The passing of Lu left an undeniable void that shook the event to the core. Things were rocky for a bit, especially when it came to sponsors as some of the majors were hesitant to work with a Black woman in a field historically dominated by White men. Cunningham-Hudson knew corporate America was watching to see how she would move. She also knew generations of Black cowboys and cowgirls were also watching and she wasn’t about to fail them. 

Here for the Long Haul 

“By the time of Lus’ departure our rodeo had become the missing piece in the lives of so many in the Black cowboy community. Sponsors became skeptics but we won them over by digging deeper, tapping into another level of creativity and as a result, the event has become bigger and better than ever.”