Injury Accident Cancels Second Day Of Black Wall Street Centennial Rodeo

The inaugural Black Wall Street Centennial Rodeo canceled its last day of the events Sunday after some cowboys and their horses were injured in an accident.

"It's a big bummer because, I mean, that's how you learn the process and get introduced to rodeo as a kid like I was," cowboy Stephen Reagor said.

Reagor said Sunday was when he would have given dozens of Black kids their first rodeo experience.

Instead, he is only giving a handful of kids their first horseback ride. As long as he can educate at least one kid about what he loves about rodeos, Reagor said it was worth it. 

"We kind of got away from that for a little while," Reagor said. “I'm just trying to bring that back into perspective." 

Rodeo director Starr Fisher said the overall goal was to educate the youth on the historical significance of Black cowboys and historically-recognized Black towns.

Even though the event was cut short, Fisher believes the rodeo accomplished its mission.

"It was standing room only,” Fisher said. “Wall-to-wall people.”

Reagor is also the first and only Black person to win a collegiate rodeo national championship. He hopes he can inspire kids to follow in his footsteps.

"I don't want to be the only African American to win a world championship," Reagor said.