On Martin Luther King Junior Day, the focus of the afternoon rodeo at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo turns to the contributions of minorities in our Western heritage.
It's become as traditional as the rodeo's grand entry.
"This has become a tradition to our family," said Sharon Hooser.
The sold out crowd of 6,000 watch some dangerous rides on broncos and bulls, while enjoying a celebration of history.
It's the sixth year of the Cowboys of Color Rodeo at the Stock Show and Hooser and her family have been to the last four to expose her kids to that history.
"Today is Martin Luther King Day and this is a perfect way to celebrate by bringing the kids out to see their history," Hooser said.
For organizers and participants, the rodeo is just as special to them, calling it a chance to educate and entertain.
"Between one-third and one-quarter of the cowboys in the west were African American, so Cowboys of Color represents a little bit of everybody, but it highlights what people don’t normally see," said announcer Kevin Woodson.
From the announce table high above the coliseum, to the dirt floor of the ring, everyone involved in the rodeo knows its importance.
"Bull dogging was invented by a black man," said contestant Shawn Jones.
"It's kind of an honor, you know, to be able to come into a legendary building like this right here and put on a show for the fans," Jones said.
It's the kind of show that founder Cleo Hearn was once barred from.
"They wouldn't even let me into the rodeo in my hometown because I was black," Hearn said.
But now, Hearn and his contestants are showing a new generation the past and a possible future.
"Let us tell you the wonderful things that Blacks, Hispanics and Indians did for the settling of the west that many history books left out," Hearn said.
The Cowboys of Color Rodeo travels all over the country during the summer.
