New York City Federation of Black Cowboys facts for kids
The New York City Federation of Black Cowboys (FBC) is an organization dedicated to keeping alive the memory and tradition of African-American cowboys from the Old West. It is located in The Hole, a low-lying neighborhood on the border of Brooklyn and Queens in New York City.
History
During the 1870s and 1880s, African-American cowboys made up approximately 25% of the 35,000 cowboys in the Western Frontier. The Federation honors this legacy through youth programs, rodeos, and school visits, while also using horsemanship to teach local youth life skills such as patience, kindness, and tolerance.
The Federation of Black Cowboys was officially incorporated in 1994 and leased the Cedar Lane Stables in Queens from the Parks Department.
In 2012, six horses died in the Cedar Lane Stables, forcing the city to close the stables while the Federation renovated.
Licensing for the stables occurs annually, and historically the Federation was the sole bidder. Their last licensing agreement was for 2015, when the city released a public Request for Proposal (RFP). In February 2016, FBC was informed their license would not be renewed. It was transferred to GallopNYC, a non-profit aiding disabled people through therapeutic horsemanship.
