Entertainment

You might know Boley for its rodeo, but there's more to this historically Black Oklahoma town

Brandy McDonnell
Oklahoman
Published 7:00 a.m. CT May 25, 2022

The historically Black town of Boley is renowned far and wide for its long-running Memorial Day rodeo, which is considered the country's oldest African American community-based rodeo. ... But Karen Ekuban wants to spread the word that there is more to her Oklahoma hometown than one event.

"The rodeo is a part of our history, but there's so much more to our history that I want people to know and understand. So, I'm really trying to build events around the rodeo and throughout the year, and not just have people coming to Boley just during the rodeo," said Ekuban, founder of Project 2020, a community initiative to grow and revitalize Boley, which has its downtown business district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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This Memorial Day weekend, the Okfuskee County town has more going on than steer wrestling, bull riding and ladies breakaway roping. The Boley Community Center is hosting the Smithsonian Institution's traveling exhibit “Crossroads: Change in Rural America," through June 25, with several special programs planned.

“We want to showcase Black excellence in every aspect, including rodeo, art, music, and featuring impactful speakers,” said state Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, in a statement commending the town of Boley and Project 2020 for their efforts. ... “I see this as just the beginning of a larger effort to highlight our Black communities in Oklahoma, and the historic part our state has played in the civil rights movement.”



Several of Oklahoma photographer Nicol Ragland's recent photographs of the historic Black town of Boley, including "G-Line Ranch," are displayed along with the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit "Crossroads: Change in Rural America." The exhibit is on view in Boley through June 25."
Provided/Nicol Ragland

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