Lu Vason

Lu Vason began his quest to enlighten America about the Black contributions to the cowboy legacy in 1984 when he presented the first William “Bill” Pickett Invitational Rodeo. Now in its 23rd year, Vason has realized his goal of successful creating a rodeo circuits for Black cowboys and cowgirls.

Valeria Vason

Valeria Howard-Vason, Vice President, CFO Valeria met Lu Vason in 1984 and has embraced his dream by helping him to take the BPIR to a different level. In addition to the rodeo, she works full time as Vice President of Claims with Van Gilder Insurance Corporation. She also volunteers for various other organizations and was just recently elected President of Shadow Theatre Company in Denver, CO.

Sedgwick Haynes

Sedgwick is the General Manager for the BPIR. He has been a rodeo contestant and had worked with the rodeo from its inception. Sedgwick brings rodeo experience. He raises and trains horses and also is a technician for the state of Texas. Sedgwick has had much success over the years training cowboys and cowgirls how to be winners.

Acynthia Villery

Acynthia Villery, BPIR Secretary Acynthia is the BPIR secretary. She has been with BPIR since 1989 and is a 3rd generation rodeo administrator. In addition to her secretarial duties, she is the Owner of Patients of Job Transportation Service and co-owner of MedCenter EMS. She is also the coordinator for the Houston (Liberty) rodeo.

Carolyn Carter

Carolyn Carter, Grand Entry Coordinator Carolyn Carter has competed in every BPIR since its inception twenty years ago. Her success can be measured by the many trophy belt buckles that she has won with the Bill Pickett Rodeo, but her memories and stories of her tours across the U.S. with the rodeo are more meaningful.

The success of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is due in large part to the fact that it is the only touring African-American Rodeo. But we can not forget the career cowboys and cowgirls like Carolyn Carter, whose dedication and hard work have also made the BPIR rodeo successful.

Carolyn Carter has competed in every BPIR since its inception twenty years ago. Her success can be measured by the many trophy belt buckles that she has won with the Bill Pickett Rodeo, but her memories and stories of her tours across the U.S. with the rodeo are more meaningful.

A nurse in Oklahoma City, she holds rodeo to the highest of responsibilities. Even through nursing school she continued to rodeo. The BPIR is a part of Carolyn. "When we started twenty years ago, we got an amazing reception at every city we went to." She goes on to say, "We still get the same reception even after all these years. The crowd gets so excited and we just hope they learn something everytime they come to our rodeos."

Carolyn takes BPIR seriously as well because it is a part of her life and heritage.