Cleo Hearn, Mr. Black Rodeo is a living legend. He joined the PRCA in 1959, was one of the first eight African Americans to serve in the Presidential Honor Guard under President John F. Kennedy, the first African American to go to college on a rodeo scholarship and the first African American to win a National Tie-Down Calf Roping Championship in Denver in 1970. He roped calves for 70 years and produced the largest multicultural rodeo in the country Cowboys of Color Rodeos for 50 years. He is a great role model for kids and adults. There is also a companion Cleo Hearn: Mr. Black Rodeo Coloring Book available at online and retail outlets.
Elizabeth Ann Lawless
Creative, Book & Western Catalyst, Mentor, Livestream & Podcast Host
Liz helps creative entrepreneurs to leverage non-fiction publishing for more respect, reach, and revenue. She also assists clients in publishing children's books for legacy. If you enjoy Western History then check out our Wild West Diversity Livestream, Podcast and eNewsletter on your favorite social media and podcast platforms and subscribe.
Liz is also the publicist for Cowboys of Color Rodeos, the largest multicultural rodeo in the world and after 30 years had acquired numerous stories about Blacks, Hispanics, Indians, Asians, Europeans, and Women and their contributions to the settling of the American West. Her book "Western Legends: Yesterday & Today...African Americans 1798 to 2009" was written based on her preK-12 school seminar "Multicultural Contributions to Texas and American History" and Rodeo experiences. She leads a team of Western Living History presenters Black Cowboys/Cowgirls, Buffalo Soldiers, Pioneer Women and more. In addition, Liz is the publisher and editor of an online Western Lifestyle eMagazine entitled "Wild West Diversity Today".