I’LL TAKE A TURKEY LEG. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT. TODAY, MORE THAN 5000 PEOPLE GATHERED IN OAK PARK FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL BLACK COWBOYS COMMUNITY PARADE AND FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS SAY IT CELEBRATES CULTURE, LEGACY AND UNITY AS KCRA 3’S LETICIA ORDAZ REPORTS, IT’S ALREADY HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS. THE HORSES ARE MAJESTIC, JUST LIKE THE COWBOYS WHO ARE RIDING THEM THROUGH THE OAK PARK COMMUNITY. WE’RE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THOSE BLACK PIONEERS WHO HELPED BUILD AMERICA, ALONG WITH OTHER CULTURES, WHO ALSO HELPED ESTABLISH THIS GREAT NATION. DOCTOR RICK WARREN FOUNDED THE EVENT BECAUSE HE SAYS IT’S NOT EVERY DAY CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO THE HISTORY OF THE BLACK COWBOY. SO WE WANT TO BRING OUT NEW COWBOYS, NEW COWGIRLS, AND LET THEM EXPERIENCE THE THE EXCITEMENT AND THE ENERGY OF THE HORSES AND THE LIVESTOCK AND THE FARMING AND AGRICULTURE. THAT’S ALL A PART OF IT. I LOVE THE CULTURE. I JUST WANT TO BE OUT HERE TO CELEBRATE THE CULTURE. 12 YEAR OLD CARTER RIDES HORSES WITH HIS DAD. HE SAYS SEEING MORE COWBOYS THAT LOOK LIKE HIM IS TRANSFORMATIONAL. IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLY. IT’S LIKE PROUD OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND STUFF. I STARTED WRITING WHEN I WAS 12. MONICA HENRY IS A COWGIRL ON A MISSION TO BREAK BARRIERS. SHE BROUGHT HER HORSES TO MCCLATCHY PARK TODAY TO GIVE KIDS RIDES AND TO SHOW THEM THAT HORSES ARE FOR EVERYONE. I HOPE TO GAIN RESPECT OF THE ANIMALS AND THEMSELVES AS BEING BLACK, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES WE’RE TOLD WE CAN’T, YOU KNOW, AND WE CAN, YOU KNOW, AND A LOT OF THE KIDS, BECAUSE THEY DON’T KNOW, YOU KNOW, THEY’RE OUT HERE TO LEARN. AND HOPEFULLY ONE DAY THEY’LL, YOU KNOW, HAVE THAT DRIVE TO WANT TO, YOU KNOW, RIDE AND OWN AND KNOW THAT THEY CAN. ORGANIZERS SAY THEY ARE SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE FESTIVAL HAS ALMOST DOUBLED IN ATTENDANCE SINCE LAST YEAR. IT’S A MOVEMENT TO EDUCATE, EMPOWER AND UPLIFT THE OAK PARK NEIGHBORHOOD. AND THE MESSAGE IS REACHING YOUTH. YOU COULD DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO IN LIFE IN OAK PARK, LETICIA ORDAZ KCRA THREE NEWS. ORGANIZERS SAY THE BLACK COWBOYS FESTIVAL IS ALSO A GREAT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS AND EDUCATORS IN THE COMMUNITY. EVENT WRA
An event in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood on Sunday celebrated the history and culture of Black cowboys, aiming to educate and empower local youth. Rick Warren, the founder of the event, emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of Black pioneers in building America alongside other cultures. “We’re trying to do is make sure that people understand the importance of, those black pioneers who helped build America along with other cultures, who also help us establish this great nation,” Warren said.Warren founded the Black Cowboys Parade to expose children to a part of history not often highlighted. Twelve-year-old Carter Dezugman, who rides horses with his dad, expressed his enthusiasm for the event. “I love the culture. I just want to be out here to celebrate the culture,” he said. Carter finds seeing more cowboys who look like him to be transformational. “It makes me feel really good, actually. Just like, proud of the Black community,” he said.Monica Henry, a cowgirl dedicated to breaking barriers, brought her horses to McClatchy Park to give kids rides and demonstrate that horses are for everyone. “I hope they gain respect for the animals and themselves as being Black. Because a lot of times we’re told we can’t, you know, and we can. A lot of the kids …. out here to learn… and hopefully one day they will have that drive to want to ride,” Henry said.Organizers said that attendance has doubled from last year. The parade is meant to educate, empower and uplift the Oak Park neighborhood, and the message is reaching youth. “You could do whatever you want to do in life,” Dezugman shared.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
An event in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood on Sunday celebrated the history and culture of Black cowboys, aiming to educate and empower local youth. Rick Warren, the founder of the event, emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of Black pioneers in building America alongside other cultures.
“We’re trying to do is make sure that people understand the importance of, those black pioneers who helped build America along with other cultures, who also help us establish this great nation,” Warren said.
Warren founded the Black Cowboys Parade to expose children to a part of history not often highlighted.
Twelve-year-old Carter Dezugman, who rides horses with his dad, expressed his enthusiasm for the event.
“I love the culture. I just want to be out here to celebrate the culture,” he said. Carter finds seeing more cowboys who look like him to be transformational.
“It makes me feel really good, actually. Just like, proud of the Black community,” he said.
Monica Henry, a cowgirl dedicated to breaking barriers, brought her horses to McClatchy Park to give kids rides and demonstrate that horses are for everyone.
“I hope they gain respect for the animals and themselves as being Black. Because a lot of times we’re told we can’t, you know, and we can. A lot of the kids ….[are] out here to learn… and hopefully one day they will have that drive to want to ride,” Henry said.
Organizers said that attendance has doubled from last year. The parade is meant to educate, empower and uplift the Oak Park neighborhood, and the message is reaching youth.
“You could do whatever you want to do in life,” Dezugman shared.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
