Grapevine, aka Q’s News:

Qiyamah Lewis| American Furniture Rental

February is black history month, and I'd like to shine a spotlight on one unsung hero that I found truly fascinating - Mr. Cleo Hearn. 

During the Jim Crow era in America, emerged countless notable black inventors, writers, servicemen, entrepreneurs and entertainers, whose contributions to our collective greatness ought to be revered for eternity. While most of us are familiar with pioneers like Harriet Tubman and Fredrick Douglass, there were a plethora of lesser-known, everyday men and woman that inspired extraordinary change. Cleo Hearn was one such person.

A native of Seminole Oklahoma, Cleo was born in May 1939. His parents were of Seminole Indian and Black descent. Cleo spent his early life laying the foundation for his future in Rodeo. As a young black cowboy, he spent years working stock, breaking broncs and practiced roping. At 16 years old he recalls being refused entrance into local rodeos because of the color of his skin. Back then, black cowboys usually got to ride after the paying audience had left the arena. It wasn’t guaranteed that you would win the purse even if you had the best time.

Year later, Cleo was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served for two years and made history for the first time, as one of the first African Americans to ever serve in the Presidential Honor Guard under President John F. Kennedy. After serving honorably, Cleo graduated from Langston University with a business degree. He was the first African American to go to college on a Rodeo Scholarship.

In 1959, Cleo became a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA), the oldest and largest professional rodeo-sanctioning body in the world.  Despite the discriminatory laws and practices of the time, Cleo won over audiences and other cowboys with his undeniable talents. His calf roping times were better than the rest of the competitors. This forced the rodeo producers to let him compete with his white counterparts. With this new barrier broken, Cleo became the first African American to win a major Stock Show tie-down calf roping event, during the 1970 National Western in Denver, Colorado.

Finally, in 1971, Cleo earned himself a spot in the constellation of event stars, by producing the Cowboys of Color Rodeo Tour, the first and largest multicultural rodeo in the world. 

As it relates to the meeting and events industry, we see an amazing intersection of social change, the celebration of American cowboy culture, and the positive economic impact of organized events. To this very day, rodeos boost tourism, create jobs, generate revenue for local businesses, and in the spirit of inclusivity, rodeos inspire community engagement and pride.

The lesson? Our humble life experiences can have a global impact. And when we are unafraid to pursue our passions and use our gifts to open doors for those often unseen or heard, we all benefit. 

In 2022, Mr. Cleo Hearn was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - just six years after his passing.

"Rodeo will always be a part of my life. If I ever become too old to rope, I'll continue spreading the message of the forgotten cowboy, the need for understanding other cultures and working together to build dreams, everywhere I can" - Cleo Hearn, Founder of Cowboys of Color

SOURCE:  https://cowboysofcolorrodeo.com/history/

SOURCE: https://www.blackreins.com/cleo-hearn-and-the-cowboys-of-color/

Kind Regards,

Qiyamah “Q” Lewis | Account Executive 

AFR Furniture Rental