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EXCLUSIVE: New short film details the role of black excellence in rodeo

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Texas boasts the nation’s largest rodeo, the famed Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a stage where the nation’s top athletes, including expert bull riders and calf drivers, showcase their talents. However, in the historical context of rodeo in Texas, the significant contributions of black cowboys and herders have often been overshadowed, although they played a key role in shaping the sport into the cultural phenomenon it’s today.

The story begins in Crockett, Texas, a spot where the roots of black cowboy culture run deep, intertwining with the very fabric of rodeo history. It was here Myrtis Dightman Sr., dubbed the “Jackie Robinson of Rodeo”, becoming the first black cowboy to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo.

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Trail ride overlooking the prairie

Although RodeoHouston’s origins date back to 1932, trail riding remained largely segregated until people like Dightman and his compatriots forged their very own path. Houston-based director Isaac Yowman explored authentic narratives surrounding black cowboys, shedding light on previously obscure truths. “The trail rides actually started with the Houston Live Show and Rodeo, and they met at Memorial Park every year,” he explains. “It’s principally an enormous block party where people come from throughout the state of Texas. However, the Prairie View Trail Ride covers 140km on horses, buggies and wagons, and I do not think many individuals know this about rodeo culture.

Reflecting on Dightman’s journey, Yowman recalls a poignant exchange. “When Myrtis Dightman Sr. rode his first bull in 1966, I asked him if he thought he was making history. Responsibly. If I want to do something, I’ll just do it.” Dightman’s determination challenged the skepticism of his peers, echoing the sentiment captured in his easy yet profound response: “Have you tried it?”

Yowman says, “I assumed it was so easy. Such a straightforward statement, yet so prolific. When I take into consideration anything in life, there can be individuals who might imagine your ambitions are unrealistic. There could also be people around you who haven’t got the foresight to realize your goals, and that is uncharted territory, but in the event that they query the feasibility, it’s essential to ask them:?

Decades later, Dightman’s legacy is flourishing, not confined to the history books but embodied by his descendants. Adia Dightman and her family proceed to hold the torch, keeping the flame of cultural trailblazing burning brightly. Their story is the centerpiece of Yowman’s short film, created in collaboration with Adidas and Jennifer Ford of Premium Goods.

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EXCLUSIVE: Details on new short film Black Excellence In The Rodeo
The Dightman family in Crockett, Texas

Yowman and his team traveled to Crockett, Texas, where Dightman’s estate stretches over 150 acres. In an clan, everyone from the smallest children to the elderly participates in trail rides as part of their historical heritage. “For the director, this project was really intriguing because as a child, when I was growing up, I didn’t have the opportunity to spend time with my grandparents, either on my mother’s or father’s side. It was truly amazing for me to see five generations of a family at once. The youngest Dightman was one year old, the oldest was Myrtis Dightman Sr., who was 88 or 89,” Yowman reflects.

As the Dightmans’ legacy continues, so does their impact on rodeo culture. Myrtis Dightman Jr., often called “The Trail Boss,” leads the PV Trail Riders Association, a testament to the family’s enduring commitment to heritage. “There is a lot of legacy in their history,” Yowman explains. “They call him [Junior] “Trail Boss” and just seeing him carry on his dad’s legacy is incredibly admirable. Founded by Dightman Sr., Dr. Alfred N. Pointdexter and James Francis, PV Trail Riders has proudly participated in the annual Houston Rodeo trail rides for 70 years.

EXCLUSIVE: Details on new short film Black Excellence In The Rodeo
Myrtis Dightman Sr

Another remarkable aspect of the Dightman family’s legacy is its pioneering efforts to not only integrate trail riding but in addition embrace women – a groundbreaking move in the early Nineteen Sixties when such practices were virtually unheard of. “At that time, there was no thought of women empowerment. For them, it was bold to include women in their rides. I actually met a woman, Miss Fuller; who appears in the film, has been riding with Dightman for decades. It was really great to see how willing they were to engage with the rodeo culture,” Yowman says.

As popular culture increasingly embraces country music in mainstream circles, there’s an ideal opportunity to attract attention to the role of women in each the rodeo and country music spheres. This cultural shift is reflected in Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s recent announcement of her upcoming country album, aptly titled .

“As a Texan, you grow up in this place. You better believe Beyoncé got a drip from people who embraced cow culture before her, like the women of Prairie View Trail Rides,” Yowman jokes. “She said it in the ‘Formation’ song ‘Mama Louisiana.’ This Louisiana, this Texas, this Cajun, this country, this zydeco – we grow up on it as Texans. Whether you are super immersed in the culture or not, you are already doing it – rodeo is an enormous deal. I feel black women coming into the country, rodeo culture could be very essential for people to see.”

In creating this short film, creatively, Yowman wanted viewers to grasp how Black people, and particularly Black women, come forward. As a culture, we should not a monolith, he emphasizes. Like Beyoncé’s long-awaited album, it’s a poignant return to a culture that has all the time been inherently ours, despite historical oversight and lack of recognition.

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The film is a strong affirmation of Black agency and cultural ownership. It is a reminder that despite historical challenges and systemic barriers, black rodeo culture thrives and endures. ​​It is a declaration that black culture belongs to us and deserves to be celebrated, recognized and revered.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Travis Hunter seems clearly nervous after his fiancé was booed

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What needs to be probably the most proud moments within the lifetime of Travis Hunter took an unexpected turn on the NFL Draft in Green Bay, when fans loudly booed their fiancee Leanna Lenee when the couple entered the red Lambeau Field carpet before starting the choice process on April 24.

The winner of Heismman Trophy, who has arrived, has a brave Hot pink blazer with black pantsHe quickly moved out of emotion of visible suffering after the enemy crowd struck and mocked his lady, who left the tunnel surrounded by Hunter’s mother Ferrante Harris.

A two -way star who said NFL Network that he was carrying hot pink because he didn’t know by which team he would play, he soon met with one other sort of challenge.

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Hunter’s mood modified rapidly when he reacted to how the gang treated Lenee, a young woman, whom he plans to marry next month.

“If his mother loves her, she can’t be so bad. Black Mamas doesn’t play their sons” Read one Tiktok clip, offering a positive perspective amongst negativity.

However, the supporting comments were exceeded by critics, and one other social media user writes: “He goes straight to the bank, and he leads it there, we tried to warn him.”

The difficult judgment lasted when another person added: “One day he will see why they boo it.”

The incident drew attention to the impact on Tim Anderson’s social media, who published it on Instagram with signature: “They booed the girl of Travis Hunter a lot, the brother looked like he was able to fight the entire stadium! Fortunately, he was in uniform! Cryinggg – he could drop 400 yards in the subsequent game from easy anger!

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Post won additional comments, including one one that said: “I’m furious because he will have to hear her lips later.”

Just before Hunter he heard his name within the project, Lenee gave him an expensive watch to wear. In the film, which has grow to be popular since then, Lenee surprised the football star with something that seems to be a every day roll.

The luxurious watch contained a brown diamond shield in pink gold with a corrugated frame, embedded on a pink golden oyster bracelet-a present at barely lower than $ 50,000 in accordance with Rolex website.

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This public control of the Hunter’s relationship has followed the couple since she revealed that she had not attracted him at first.

It was not intensified only in December 2024, when the film material appeared, showing Lenee dancing with one other man. The response was so intense that she prompted Hunter to delete his accounts on social media.

His university trainer and sports dad, Deioners, even advised him to acquire a pre -wedding agreement, dividing wisdom from his own divorce experience, being the star of the NFL and his unlucky parting with his mother of his three children, Pilar Sanders. The advice now seems particularly necessary when fans begging him to guard their funds before the couple marry in May.

Despite the non-public controversy, Hunter’s skilled future looks extremely vibrant.

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Hunter, perceived each as the very best defender and among the best recipients in the entire project, Hunter is considered one of the most important NFL stars for a few years.

Jacksonville Jaguars made an aggressive move to secure their talents, mentioning their choice of the second round and the primary round next yr at Cleveland Browns to decide on it in second place.

34-year-old General Director Jaguars James Gladstone, the second Gim GM within the history of NFL, signaled his commitment to the development of a competitive team by acquiring a flexible hunter, BBC Reports.

The daring movement reflects the understanding that the celebs may also help construct the dynasty within the NFL, and Hunter’s unique ability to influence the crime and defense is a rare goods within the league.

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Hunter will initially concentrate on playing a large receiver, creating what guarantees to be an explosive partnership with Brian Thomas Jr. And giving the playmaker Trevor Lawrence a formidable offensive weapon. When he sets out on this skilled journey, each fans and analysts will observe whether Hunter can move around the sunshine of fame, control of relationships and pressure at the best level of skilled football.

(Tagstotransate) Travis Hunter

This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Forever our MVP: Jalen Hurts skip the visit of the White House of Trump after the victory of Super Bowl Eagles – Essence

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Forever our MVP: Jalen Hurts skip the visit of the White House of Trump after winning Super Bowl Eagles

New York, New York – April 24: Jalen Hurts participates in the 2025 Time100 gala at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2025 in New York. (Photo Taylor Hill/Filmmagic)

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As if we would have liked another excuse to like Jalen, it hurts (the list is already long, everyone).

The playmaker eagles showed us all the things, why he would at all times be our MVP, when he decided to skip the Monday celebration of the White House with President Trump because of “planning conflicts”. Several other players reportedly missed this event for similar reasons (everyone knew from mid -March).

It hurts didn’t need to convert it to us. The message was crystal clear when he was first asked at the 2025 Time100 gala, with “UMM”, which was heard throughout the world.

This “UMM” spoke to the volume. In a world where black athletes are still said to “close and play”, Hurts expressed attention without giving critics of ammunition.

Let’s add a protracted line of black athletes who used their platforms for political protest. From the refusal of the project by Muhammad Ali, to Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising his fists at the 1968 Olympic Games, to Colin Kapernicka, taking their knee, all these people strengthened their heritage not only athletes, but in supporters of black rights in times that feel too good today.

And then there’s Saquon Barkley.

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The contrast between Hurts and his teammate can’t be more clear. While Hurts quietly refused to invitation, Barkley was photographed with Trump at the Golf Club of President Bedminster only a day before the planned visit of the White House. When the fans called him, Barkley began to social media to defend himself.

“LOL, some people are really nervous because I played golf and flew with the president to the White House,” he wrote Barkley on X. “Maybe I just respect the office, not a difficult concept to understand. Just golf with Obama recently … and I can’t wait to end my round with Trump! Now, get my reference to all this policy and you have an amazing day.”

It is value noting that Hurts never avoided joining the political figures he respects. In October last yr He joined the Four Golf with former President Obama and the owner of Eagles Jeffrey Lurie.

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Trump participated in a win at the Super Bowl in Philadelphia nad Kansas City in February, becoming the first sitting president who participated in NFL The biggest game.

Irony isn’t lost to us. The same president who He once called NFL players who kneel during the national anthem of “Sons of Suits” And he suggested that they must be released, they appeared to heat up in the glory of the game dominated by black athletes. And now he expects the same players to smile at photos in the rose garden? We saw it earlier.

Still in its modern era, all the things is coming only per week after the messages that hurt, married his longtime girlfriend, Bryonna Burrows, at the starting of this yr.

Developed in 2020, Hurts has repeatedly proved that he’s greater than the playmaker, but the leader who stands on its basis. From overcoming the shocking bench in Alabama, he would grow to be one of the most vital playmakers of the NFL, he showed repeatedly that he knew the way to get to any challenge.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Ice Cube on the Big3, Kendrick Lamar and still loving music – Andcape

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Ice Cube has an extended affair with sport. Choose sport. Every sport. What if this sport represents his beloved home Los Angeles, or at the least an ideal state of California? Even higher.

But now Cube-which together along with his breakthrough collective NWA has made a very black invaders of a hot seller hat-it is not only a fan. He owns the league. In 2017, Jeff Kłatinetz, director of Cube and Entertainment, created BIG3, League 3 out of three, during which there are former NBA ballets and international players, and, like Ice Cube, the game plays a brand new algorithm.

Like BIG3, Cube marched to the rhythm of his own drum. And he did quite impressive shots.

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In some circles, Cube is more known for his work in Hollywood than from a rap profession, which truthfully helped raise the impressive hip-hop lyricism. He was in acting since 1991, when he appeared as Doughboy in the changing game of the deceased John Singleton, who won the Singleton nomination for an Oscar and meant a novice as an excellent, young voice in creating movies.

Since then, Cube has performed, wrote, produced and directed by the movies and television series, but please, I don’t think that it signifies that he has forgotten about his hip-hop roots.

At the starting of this month he announced that he would return to stage during his first concert on the foremost tour for over a decade to have a good time his 40 years as a music producer. You read it accurately – 4 many years. This fall, he’ll face the foremost arenas for his “Truth to power: 4 many years of attitude“Trip and higher consider that he’ll do all the good things.

And the staff met with Ice Cube to discuss their love for sport, the desire to have a league and why, at the age of 55, he is just not ready to offer up creating music.

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Kelley L. Carter is a senior entertainment reporter and host of one other act in andcape. It can play every episode of the American version of the office, it might probably sing the song Fight University Michigan State University at command and could be very proof against Hollywood Hotness.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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