Black Cowboys of the Old West Celebrated at Vallejo Museum

Event to feature real-life Black cowboy Albert Harris sharing tales of historic Black cowboys and his own decades in the saddle.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum is hosting an event on February 28th to spotlight the little-known fact that one in four cowboys of the Old West was Black. Real-life Black cowboy Albert Harris will share stories of historic Black cowboys and his own 40-plus years of experience working on ranches and as a horse trainer. The event will also feature performances, speakers, and exhibits highlighting the contributions of Black cowboys in the American West.

Why it matters

Many Americans grew up with images of the Old West that only featured white cowboys, but the reality was far more diverse. Highlighting the stories of Black cowboys helps reclaim an important part of American history that has been overlooked and underrepresented.

The details

The event, titled 'The Real Truth About the Black Cowboy,' will feature a conversation led by Harris, who grew up in Richmond in the 1950s and worked as a ranch hand and horse trainer. He will share his personal experiences as well as details about Black cowboys dating back to 1519. The event will also include performances, speakers, and exhibits showcasing the rich history and legacy of Black cowboys in the American West.

  • The event will take place on February 28, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Harris grew up in the 1950s in the more rural north Richmond area.

The players

Albert Harris

A real-life Black cowboy who will share stories of historic Black cowboys and his own 40-plus years of experience working on ranches and as a horse trainer.

Askari Sowonde

A community activist who organized the event for Black History Month to honor the legacy and reclaim the stories of Black cowboys in the American West.

C.T. Kirk

The author of the 2020 book 'How the West Was White-Washed,' which explores the overlooked history of Black cowboys.

Donald Jordan

An officer of the Vallejo branch of the NAACP who will emcee the event.

Nora Sanna

A young poet and storyteller who will perform at the event.

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What they’re saying

“The story of the Black cowboy is American history. This program is about truth-telling, honoring legacy and reclaiming stories that deserve to be known, respected and passed forward.”

— Askari Sowonde, Community activist (thereporter.com)

“I grew up watching the westerns on television. A little white kid in my neighborhood had a pony and he used to sell rides. I had a bicycle. I wanted to ride his pony as bad as he wanted to ride my bike, so we traded off.”

— Albert Harris (thereporter.com)

What’s next

The event organizers hope that the program will inspire further research, storytelling, and recognition of the contributions of Black cowboys in the American West.

The takeaway

This event shines a light on an important but often overlooked part of American history, celebrating the vital role that Black cowboys played in shaping the Old West and reclaiming their rightful place in the narrative of the American frontier.