The 52nd Annual Black Cowboy Parade took place on Saturday at DeFremery Park in West Oakland, celebrating the theme “Preserving Our Heritage, Inspiring Our Future.” The event featured a mix of live entertainment, line dancing, pony rides, and community resources, drawing in families and local vendors.
Dating back to the 1860s-1880s, it’s estimated that a quarter of cowboys during the great Western cattle drives were Black. The legacy of these Black cowboys lives on through the Oakland Black Cowboy Association, founded in 1976 to highlight their significant yet often overlooked stories.
The parade showcased colorful outfits and dancing horses, aiming to honor the contributions of Black cowboys and inspire future generations.