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Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/how-black-women-changed-the-game-in-rodeo
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Today, Valeria Howard Cunningham, President and Owner of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, joins A Black Executive Perspective for a powerful conversation on Black leadership, Black history, women in business, cultural preservation, and the legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls.
This episode explores how Valeria helped carry forward and expand one of the most important Black cultural institutions in the country. From sponsorship struggles and racial barriers to youth development, scholarships, wellness advocacy, and national visibility, this is a conversation about vision, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.
Valeria shares what it means to lead after loss, to build with intention, to preserve Black Western heritage, and to create opportunities for the next generation. This is bigger than rodeo. It is about legacy, leadership, ownership, and impact.
What you will learn
How the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo became a platform for Black visibility and excellence
Why Black women’s leadership has been essential to preserving and growing this legacy
How Valeria navigated resistance, sponsorship challenges, and expansion
Why youth access, education, and community impact are central to the mission
▶︎ In This Episode
00:00 Introduction
06:10 The origin story
15:05 Early barriers and resistance
24:05 Leadership, loss, and growth
38:35 Community impact and youth programs
55:20 National visibility and expansion
01:06:20 Final reflections and Tony’s Tidbit
Why this episode matters
Black cowboy history is too often ignored.
Black women’s leadership is too often underestimated.
This episode brings both to the center, where they belong.
If this conversation speaks to you, share it, follow the show, and stay connected for more conversations on leadership, culture, race, business, and Black excellence.
🔗 Resources
Links and resources mentioned in this episode:
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This episode was produced by TonyTidbit ™ . Copyright © 2024 A BLACK EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced without prior written permission. For permissions, email [email protected] .