How Black Women Changed the Game in Rodeo

Episode Title: Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/how-black-women-changed-the-game-in-rodeoEpisode Video Link: 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 learnHow the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo became a platform for Black visibility and excellenceWhy Black women’s leadership has been essential to preserving and growing this legacyHow Valeria navigated resistance, sponsorship challenges, and expansionWhy youth access, education, and community impact are central to the mission▶︎ In This Episode00:00 Introduction06:10 The origin story15:05 Early barriers and resistance24:05 Leadership, loss, and growth38:35 Community impact and youth programs55:20 National visibility and expansion01:06:20 Final reflections and Tony’s TidbitWhy this episode mattersBlack 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.🔗 ResourcesLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:🔔 Listen and SubscribeListen to this episode and subscribe for future updatessubscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast onYouTube PodcastsApple PodcastsSpotify PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit"if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive changesubscribe to our newslettergive us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcastsshare an episode with a friend, family member or colleague🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media @aBlackExecLinkedInInstagramFacebookYouTubeTwitterTikTokWhatsApp⭐️ Follow @TonyTidbitfollow Tony across social media @TonyTidbitTwitterLinkedInFacebookThis 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] .