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Locals Keeping Alive Black Cowboy History, Lifestyle

SACRAMENTO OBSERVER — The Loyalty Riderz club is preserving the lifestyle in a way that honors the past and, with a tip of a cowboy hat, gives a nod to the future. The word “cowboy” originally was a derogatory term, club President Gregory Bradley, Sr. points out, coined back when whites commonly called Black men as “boys” regardless of their age.
The post Locals Keeping Alive Black Cowboy History, Lifestyle first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

May 16, 2023

Sacramento Observer staff report

By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer

The Black cowboy legacy won’t ride off quietly into the sunset if a local group of horse enthusiasts has anything to say about it.

The Loyalty Riderz club is preserving the lifestyle in a way that honors the past and, with a tip of a cowboy hat, gives a nod to the future.

The word “cowboy” originally was a derogatory term, club President Gregory Bradley, Sr. points out, coined back when whites commonly called Black men as “boys” regardless of their age.

“We invented the cowboy and Black people got so good at it, then whites, they wanted to be cowboys now. They tried to steal our history.”

Bradley founded Loyalty Riderz in 2019 alongside his wife Phyllis Bradley and three other couples – Dan and Rhonda Doris, Lela Randolph-Lacy and Roy Lacy and Fred and Zena Perres.

“We wanted to initiate a cowboy and RV group that stood for something other than just hanging out and wearing matching outfits,” said Randolph-Lacy, who still participates with her husband despite having moved to Texas.

“We make it our business to be loyal. That’s what being Loyalty Riderz is all about. No matter how far, we are there for each other.”

The name is an acronym for principles that guide group members’ action and interaction: L – loyalty riders; O – open heart to serve; Y – yeehaw first; A – always supporting; L – love, laughter and learning; T – trustworthy; Y – you matter; R – road without limits; I – in it to win it; D – doing us till we’re satisfied; E – excellence; R – ride horses and RV’s; Z – zest for the cowboy life.

“We wanted to represent the cowboy lifestyle, which is fading, and to have family and friends that we could be loyal to and trust to enjoy events, campouts, etc. We wanted to be a part of a group that would also strongly support the community and extend to children the cowboy and RV experience,” Randolph-Lacy said.

The group meets monthly and sponsors rodeos and riders in events in the Bay Area and Southern California.

“We go to as many rodeos as we can. We take our motorhomes and we have our horses behind us in trailers,” Bradley said.

There’s a big campout in August in Valley Springs that they invite people to. The group also attracts attention, and potential members, through its website and social media.

Local duala Kairis Joy Chiaji said a video she saw on Facebook grabbed her attention.

“I saw Greg and some of the other guys, they were out trying to round up some cattle,” Chiaji said. “I saw that and said, ‘I want that. How can I be down?’ I reached out to Greg and he was like, ‘Well, first, we got to meet you and see your horse.’”

Chiaji was ultimately voted in.

“There’s two sides of Loyalty Riderz,” she said. “There’s the social club, which is the trail rides, the barbecues, the dances and just Black folks having a good time being ourselves. Then there’s also the community engagement side. When there’s a community event, we will show up in our colors. When the event calls for it, and we’re able to, we can get there with some horses, and have kids come out and meet horses and learn about them.”

Horse ownership isn’t a requirement for membership.

“We are RV owners,” Randolph-Lacy said. “So most of what we do is travel and camp out, and support rodeo and cowboy functions, which is so delightful.”

“A lot of people don’t have horses,” Bradley added. “Some people ain’t never going to get on a horse, aren’t going to own a horse and are scared to death of horses. But they know their roots are from that and they just like the lifestyle and hanging out with real people.”

Bradley was born in Marlin, Texas, where his family still owns 500 acres.

“We all come from a little town in Texas, but I’m the only one who is keeping our history together,” he said.

Black cowboys played a key role in American expansion into the West, but their story is often downplayed or untold.

“They needed these guys, these cowboys, to maintain the ranches and maintain their plots,” Chiaji said. “Especially when folks started moving north and beef cost a whole lot more in the north because it was hard to get folks that were skilled, but also expendable, to drive cattle cross country. Cowboys were in high demand and after emancipation; of course, they had to be paid.

“Being valuable to society at that level and having some income, they had more freedom than a lot of Black people did at that time. Even if there was still heavy discrimination. People were able to have their own properties, their own animals, their own things and those skills stayed and our people have always had an attachment to equestrian activities. But when you’re not really accepted in the mainstream, you’ve got to create your own.”

Today, the Bill Pickett Rodeo, named after the pioneering Black bulldogger, carries on the legacy and showcases Black cowboys. As does the Black Cowboy Parade in Oakland.

“If you’re not given a place at the table, you build your own table,” Chiaji said.

Loyalty Riderz will be setting up tables, literally, on Saturday, May 20, as they host their annual dinner and dance. The sold-out event is a fundraiser for the group’s youth programs.

Such programs are an aspect close to Dan Doris’ heart. After a spinal injury, he doesn’t ride anymore. While he can’t physically live up to the group’s motto of “Stay in the saddle,” he’s helping the next generation to do so.

“My biggest thing now is to try to take the inner-city kid and introduce them to the western lifestyle,” Doris said.

The community has been pretty receptive, said the former high school and community football coach and official.

“I was actually considered one of the best officials in Northern California before my accident,” Doris said. “A lot of kids still know me as ‘Coach Dan’ and a lot of those kids now have kids. They tend to listen when I talk to them. They tend to trust me because I’ve never disappointed them.”

He has helped support a few young people who now compete in rodeos. One young man was awarded a rodeo scholarship to Texas A&M and turned professional earlier this year. Doris points to Blacks who are leaders in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Professional Bull Riders events.

“We’re all over,” he said.

Blacks’ historical contributions, he added, should not be forgotten or erased. Doris also thinks tearing down statues of white people from those eras is a bad idea.

“Our grandkids aren’t gonna know about what happened to him,” he said. I don’t think we should tear down a reminder. Let America know what you did. When you tear them down our great-grandkids will not know what [people] did. My dad, he always says the best part of the story is the part they don’t tell you.”

For more information, visit loyaltyriderz.org.

The post Locals Keeping Alive Black Cowboy History, Lifestyle appeared first on The Sacramento Observer.

The post Locals Keeping Alive Black Cowboy History, Lifestyle first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

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The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

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CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
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He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.