When local entrepreneur TJ “Cowboy TJ” Stevenson got the call that a 2-acre ranch in Gilbert was available for his horse ranch, he was hesitant to relocate his business.
Founded in 2020, Copperstate Riding Club, the self-proclaimed first fully Black-owned horse ranch in Arizona, had quickly outgrown its original Phoenix location and were being hired for more events than ever, specifically in the East Valley, according to Stevenson.
Even so, Stevenson was not convinced that he needed to move until he talked to Velma Trayham, the president of the Black Chamber of Arizona.
“Sometimes entrepreneurs may not have the vision to think bigger than what they already are,” said Trayham. “When I saw what TJ was doing, I thought, ‘Wow. You have the potential to significantly scale your business.’”
After hearing Stevenson’s needs, Trayham immediately got to work facilitating a deal for the young entrepreneur.
Copperstate Riding Club has been in Gilbert for four months now, and on Aug. 22, Stevenson officially marked his headquarters at 25240 S. 154th St. in Gilbert with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Black Chamber of Arizona and Mayor Scott Anderson, marking a major milestone for the Black-owned equestrian business.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. We are thrilled to have Copperstate Riding Club come to Gilbert and we’re going to be supportive in all of their endeavors,” said Anderson.
“On behalf of the council and myself, we welcome them, and we look forward to their success.”
A big crowd attended the Aug. 22 ribbon cutting in Gilbert for Copperstate Riding Club, the first Black-owned horse ranch in Arizona.
The event underscored just how much community support Copperstate Riding Club has already received in its new home. Attendees ranged from local business leaders and neighbors to families and representatives of the Black Chamber of Arizona, all gathering to celebrate a milestone not just for Cowboy TJ, but for Gilbert as a whole.
“I was nervous about coming here, but the right people will come. We have a whole community to reach in Gilbert,” said Stevenson. “Country soul is becoming the biggest thing in America right now.
“History is repeating itself and we’re just in front of it.”
Both Trayham and Stevenson envision the club as more than just a riding school, they see the space as a transformative location for community outreach and youth empowerment.
“A lot of my friends and family have been to prison, but my job now is to show them a way out,” said Stevenson. “I use my horses and Copperstate Riding Club to eliminate issues. Horses help people.”
The newly expanded ranch will host an array of programming. Everything from horseback riding lessons to youth mentorship, therapeutic workshops and public events.
Additionally, Stevenson has plans to host goat yoga and build a gym on his property in an effort to encourage people to be active.
Copperstate Riding Club isn’t just another East Valley business success, it’s a testament to how vision, purpose and collaboration in a community can create meaningful change.
With a vision to expand across the Southwest over the next decade, Stevenson is determined to build a lasting legacy, one cowboy or cowgirl at a time.
