In the middle of Compton, California, horses are changing lives.
Most people think Compton is all about rap music and tough streets. But ride through the city today, and you might see something surprising: Black cowboys on horseback, keeping an old tradition alive.
Meet the Compton Cowboys
The Compton Cowboys started in 2017. They’re young Black men and women who ride horses through city streets. But they’re doing more than just riding. They’re proving that cowboy culture belongs to Black people too.
Randy Savvy, their leader, grew up learning to ride at the Compton Jr. Posse. This program has been teaching kids about horses since 1988. For many kids, the horses become their safe space away from neighborhood problems.
Why Horses Matter in the City
You might wonder: why horses in Compton? Here’s what the cowboys know that others don’t:
Horses teach responsibility. Kids learn to feed, clean, and care for animals bigger than themselves.
Horses build confidence. When you can control a 1,000-pound horse, you feel like you can handle anything.
Horses connect kids to their history. Many don’t know their ancestors were cowboys too.
Breaking Down Walls
The Compton Cowboys aren’t just riding for fun. They’re breaking barriers:
- They work with fashion brands like Gucci and Wrangler
- They appear in music videos and TV shows
- They teach young people that cowboys come in all colors
The Bigger Picture
What’s happening in Compton is part of something bigger. All across America, Black cowboys are standing up and saying: “We were here first.”
In Philadelphia, the Fletcher Street riders do the same thing. In Houston, Black trail riders keep traditions alive. In Oklahoma, Black rodeo riders compete and win.
Louis C. Hook writes about this modern cowboy movement in “Black in the Saddle.” His son Randy Savvy leads the Compton Cowboys, and Louis shares their family story of keeping Black cowboy culture alive. Read about their journey and others like them in this powerful book about reclaiming heritage.
From ancient Africa to modern America, Black people have always been in the saddle. The Compton Cowboys are just the latest chapter in a story that’s thousands of years old.