‘We were left out of history’: SC festival sheds light on origin of black cowboy

For more than two decades, Sandra and Mark Myers have been holding a festival dedicated to the black cowboy and African American heritage.

Every first May weekend in this small S.C. town, the Black Cowboy “Man or Myth” African-American Cultural Festival attempts to bring the legacy of the black cowboy to the public on their ranch, Greenfield Farms.

“We were left out of history,” said Sandra Myers. “The community didn’t know about the black cowboy.”

The Myers bought the 60 acres that would become their farm in 1991, after Mark Myers decided to pursue his dream of owning a horse ranch. But Sandra Myers was hesitant at first about selling their home in Horatio and moving to Rembert. Her family worked as slaves and sharecroppers on the land when it was part of a plantation.

“I didn’t look at it as a fond memory; but when I walked on the property, I had a connection,” Myers said. A historical demonstration during the festival is now set up for people to learn more about life as a slave.

When they moved to the farm, children in the neighborhood were surprised to see a black family with horses.

“People had seen donkeys and mules but never horses,” said Myers.

TV westerns popularized the cowboy in American homes but never depicted African Americans in these roles.

“The term ‘cowboy’ originated from the African American ranch hands who were called ‘boy’ and handled cattle,” said Kelly Sellers, a professional rider who’s been competing in barrel racing since 2002. “It’s something that has not been taught in the history books.”

The Myers’ love of horses and interest in discovering more about black cowboys led them to different parts of the country, learning about heroic figures such as Jesse Stall — a black bronco rider who sat on his horse backward during rodeos — and Bass Reeves — the first black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River who is speculated to have been the inspiration for the Lone Ranger.

“Our main focus was to see if African American cowboys existed. It’s important to know who our people are,” said Myers.

It was a small horse show event to raise money for their church that they began to share their knowledge of black cowboys with the community. After seven years, neighbors began calling Mark Myers a black cowboy, and the festival grew to include USDA workshops and seminars, line dance classes, historical demonstrations and a horsemanship competition and rodeo.

“For people who don’t ride, there’s something there for everybody,” said Sellers.

It was through a group of African American trail riders who first told her about the festival in Rembert. Her captivation with the rodeo began when she was a kid watching the national finals rodeo on TV.

“I saw this girl come through the gates wide open on a horse and I fell in love with it then,” Sellers said.

Sellers traveled the country competing in barrel racing, but the black cowboy festival was the first time she saw the combination of a horse show with information behind the rise of the cowboy. Ten years later, Sellers is still driving from Marion County where she works as a firefighter to participate in events and share her love for horses with her children.

“It reminds us where we come from and what we have done,” said Ivory Johnson, founder of the Junior Buffalo Soldiers Leadership Academy.

Johnson couldn’t believe what he was seeing when he first went to the festival. “I was in heaven,” he said. Johnson, a member of the Buffalo Soldiers, spoke with the chapter president to create a group for children and meet weekly at his ranch in Arthurtown, a historically black neighborhood in Columbia.

“So vital for African Americans to have this festival and share out history in a positive light,” Johnson said.

The leadership academy allows children who wouldn’t be able to afford to go horse riding a chance to become cowboy themselves. Johnson hopes they learn a sense of purpose and compassion for animals.

The Myers have struggled over the years to fund the event but continue each year out of the good it does for the community and fellowship created out of a love for horses.

“We’ve touched so many lives. It’s a love,” said Myers.

If you go

What: Black Cowboy “Man or Myth” African-American Cultural Festival

Where: Greenfield Farms, 4585 Spencer Road, Rembert, SC

When: Thursday, May 2, through Sunday, May 5

Tickets/admission:

Saturday prices

$20 per person, 13 and older

$10 per person, 12 and under

Free, 5 and under

For more information call: 803-499-9658

This story was originally published May 1, 2019 at 8:20 AM.