Nationwide — Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is making a major impact by bringing attention to Black cowboys and equestrian culture, not only through her music but also through her philanthropic efforts. Her foundation, BeyGOOD, has a keen interest in supporting the rich but often overlooked history of Black cowboys, cowgirls, farmers and ranchers. This history is crucial to understanding the overall history of the American West, but has been largely ignored in mainstream media and history books. By focusing on these communities, Beyoncé is helping to preserve and celebrate a crucial part of Black heritage that has shaped the American landscape.
To preserve and maintain these traditions, BeyGOOD partners with the annual Bill Pickett Rodeo, a historic event that has been at the heart of black cowboy culture for four decades. Considered the oldest black rodeo in the United States, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is an important gathering for black cowboys and cowgirls to showcase their skills and preserve their heritage. Through its equestrian program, BeyGOOD has provided $500,000 in grants to support these communities, demonstrating its strong commitment to ensuring this important cultural heritage is not lost to history.
According to WBLS, the BeyGOOD Foundation has already made a tangible impact by participating in the Los Angeles and Atlanta stops of the Bill Pickett Rodeo. At these events, the foundation awarded $25,000 in grants to various organizations with deep roots in the Black equestrian community. Recipients included Urban Saddles, Love This Equine and Horse Rescue, The Black Cultural Enlightenment Society/Black Cowboy Festival, the South Carolina Black Farmers Coalition, and SOOFA Ranch. Each of these organizations plays an important role in promoting and preserving Black equestrian and farming traditions.
BeyGOOD was founded by Beyoncé in 2013 as an initiative to support global causes and has since evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization known as the BeyGOOD Foundation. Over the past decade, BeyGOOD has been involved in numerous humanitarian projects, from providing scholarships to addressing the water crisis in Burundi to supporting families affected by Hurricane Harvey in Houston. Beyoncé’s vision for the foundation is to continue to build partnerships through innovative programs that have a lasting impact on communities around the world.
One of the most recent recipients of the BeyGOOD Equestrian Grants is nine-year-old Kendall Rae Johnson, the youngest farmer in Georgia and owner of Green Heart. Her success story is a testament to the importance of supporting the next generation of Black farmers and equestrians. Support from the BeyGOOD Foundation is critical to helping young entrepreneurs like Kendall Rae continue their work and inspire future generations.
The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated. By supporting these grants, the BeyGOOD Foundation is not only providing financial assistance; it is also affirming the value of Black agricultural and equestrian traditions in the broader American history. These efforts ensure that the legacy of Black cowboys, farmers and ranchers is recognized and celebrated, rather than forgotten. For more information about the recipients and the work of the BeyGOOD Foundation, visit BeyGOOD.org
