Staff Report
What started five years ago as a concept to keep Black history alive has become an annual event that draws nearly 8,000 attendees.
The Black Cowboys Parade and Festival, held July 27, was created by Black Expo Events founder and CEO Rick Warren as a way to showcase the importance of Black cowboys in American history.
“A lot of people thought there were no Black cowboys, but the history shows Black cowboys helped build America,” Warren said. “The parade is a visual way of seeing history come right down in the community.”
The event featured live music, food, horseback riding, and several Black owned business vendors.
This year’s theme of “Down Home Blues Music Festival” brought in artists such as the MDP Group, the Confidence Dance Group, Sunny Blue Bland, Raymond Coates, and more.
Warren said the event not only showcases the importance of Black cowboys in history, but also brings Black businesses exposure. He cites the event as an “economic engine” for Sacramento.
“Where else will you see over 100 Black-owned businesses?” Warren said.
Event sponsors St. HOPE, the Oak Park Neighborhood Association, Artistic Fingers Barbers, and others are also Black owned. Warren said he wanted Black-owned companies to sponsor Black events, to make sure the community feels safe and supported.
The sponsors provided horses and ponies to bring more awareness to the local Black horseback riding clubs. Pony rides, horseback rides, and horse therapy were provided at the event.
Warren hopes to secure more sponsorship next year so that he can increase access for young people. He also said he hopes to expand reach within and increase resources for the local Black community. However, his main goal is to make sure Sacramento never forgets an often overlooked history.
“We do it so more people can be familiar with the Black cowboy,” Warren said.
