Did you know that a big part of America’s cowboy history includes African-American cowboys? It’s true! About one out of every four cowboys was African-American. That’s a lot, right? But, few people know this because the movies and stories we often see about cowboys usually don’t show the Black cowboys. They were also heroes of the Wild West.

A long time ago, during the 17th and 18th centuries, many people were stolen from West Africa to America as slaves. These people already knew a lot about taking care of cattle because they used to do it back in their homelands. So, when they came to America, they became really good cowboys.

There’s a group called the Federation of Black Cowboys that helps people remember the important role Black cowboys played in American history. They want everyone to know about these amazing cowboys and what they did.

Even though Hollywood movies haven’t talked much about Black cowboys, there were some who were very famous for their bravery and skills. For example, there was Bass Reeves, who was super brave and one of the first Black deputy U.S. marshals. Ned Huddleston, also known as Isom Dart, was another famous Black cowboy known for his adventures. And then there’s William “Bill” Pickett, who invented a cool way to catch cows called “bulldogging.”

These Black cowboys were very important in the Wild West. They rode horses, took care of cattle, and had exciting adventures, just like the cowboys we see in movies and read about in books. But their stories are special because they show us that cowboys came from all different backgrounds, and everyone contributed to the history of the Wild West.

It’s important to remember the stories of the first Black cowboys because they show us that history is full of all kinds of heroes. And by learning about them, we get to know the whole story, not just part of it.