The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo makes every effort to involve the entire community and increase levels of participation and support of people of all ethnicities, cultures and heritages. The Show continues to build on the strength of one of Houston's greatest attributes--that of ethnic diversity. The Black Go Texan Committee is a special group which enhances the Show's policy of inclusion, while telling the marvelous story of the African-American in the formation of Western heritage. "The committee was organized in 1993 to further broaden the support of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo throughout the community," said Ernie Collins, committee chairman. "We want the Show to be perceived as an event for all of Houston. We want greater participation and to ensure that our guests enjoy a positive experience." Hosting a major gala in January and supporting a black heritage day at the rodeo a month later are two monumental jobs for the Black Go Texan Committee members. Nearly 1,600 enthusiastic guests gathered on a Saturday night at the fourth annual "Tribute to Bill Pickett" gala. This year's five honorees exemplify the contributions of the black community to Western heritage. Those honored were rodeo promoter and cowboy mentor Melvin Glover, inaugural Black Go Texan Committee chairman Howard Middleton, former Harris County extension agent Ernest Shaw, rancher Mollie Taylor Stevenson Sr. and three-time world champion calf roper Fred Whitfield. "Through education we hope to develop a new appreciation within the African-American community for its contributions to Western heritage," said Collins. The gala helps to generate funding for many of the committee's education-related programs. The committee was responsible for several additions to the '97 Black Heritage Day celebration including a pre-rodeo gospel music program and expanded Black Heritage exhibits in Destination: AGventure. New exhibits included the 4-H Club and Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M universities, and an exhibit showcasing African-Americans in law enforcement. Additional displays provided information on trail rides and spotlighted the contributions of black families all across Texas who have owned and worked their land for more than 100 years. "This year we supported 1,800 student visitors to Black Heritage Day festivities which included lunch and the rodeo performance," beamed Collins.
The committee hopes to provide and distribute even more tickets as a reward for student achievement and to motivate "at risk" students to succeed in Houston classrooms. "Our goal has expanded to include becoming extremely visible to the youth of our communities," Collins said. Working with the North Forest School District and a 165-acre-tract of land, the Black Go Texan Committee has committed to raise funds to build community barns for students' livestock on the property. In a joint effort with Texas A&M University and a number of trail ride associations, the Black Go Texan Committee plans to bring more 4-H clubs to Houston's inner city. The current success of the 4-H program at M. C. Williams Middle School has prompted a tremendous committee response, and the lofty goal of establishing more than a dozen inner city chapters before the next Show. "For a committee of only 50 volunteers to have successfully carried out such significant events is a tribute to the enthusiasm and dedication of its members and their supporters within the community," declared Ken Caldwell, officer in charge. "I have no doubt that the committee will be equally successful in implementing its plans to increase involvement of inner city youth in 4-H and FFA programs." With the accomplishments achieved thus far, and the goals they have set for the future, there is no doubt the Black Go Texan Committee will continue to make a significant contribution to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
|
|||||
Letters and comments should be sent to: |
|||||
