Category Archives: African American history

Traveling With the Ninth Cavalry

The 9th United States Cavalry was formed during the Civil War as a segregated unit with African American troopers and white officers. The regiment was stationed in the West in 1867 and served in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, military history, Western history, Wyoming, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Black History Month Programs at UW

Thursday, January 31st kicked off a series of events taking place at the University of Wyoming in honor of Black History Month.  The day featured the Black History 101 Mobile Museum on display in the Wyoming Union breezeway, and later … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Martin Luther King Jr., University of Wyoming history | Leave a comment

Wyoming Legislator Liz Byrd’s Quest to Honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 21 is Wyoming Equality Day. Perhaps you wondered this morning as you sipped your coffee about how Wyoming Equality Day originated? Cheyenne native and Wyoming state legislator Harriett Elizabeth “Liz” Byrd was the guiding individual behind it, although a … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Current events, found in the archive, Martin Luther King Jr., Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Celebrating Black History Month: The June Vanleer Williams Story

African-American journalist and editor June Vanleer Williams is not necessarily well-known, but what a rich life she led. Williams was an actress, a casting director, a journalist, a playwright, a poet, and an active member in Karamu House, which is the … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Authors and literature, Current events, found in the archive, Journalism, Motion picture actors and actresses, motion picture history, popular culture, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, women's history | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Wyoming Equality Day: Liz Byrd’s quest to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

Did you perhaps wonder as you sipped your coffee this morning about how Wyoming Equality Day originated?  Cheyenne native and Wyoming state legislator Harriett Elizabeth “Liz” Byrd was the guiding individual behind it.  Byrd was the first black woman to … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, women's history, Wyoming history | Leave a comment

Liz Byrd: Pioneering Stateswoman, Educator, and Advocate

This week, Wyoming had to say goodbye to one of its heroes: Elizabeth (Liz) Byrd passed away Tuesday at her home in Cheyenne.  Byrd was the first African-American woman to serve in the State Legislature.  It was due to her … Continue reading

Posted in African American history | Leave a comment

Black History Month Highlight: Stepp Family Ranch

In honor of Black History month, the AHC would like to celebrate African-American experiences in the west by sharing this photograph of the Stepp family; taken on Alonzo T. Stepp’s ranch in the 1920s. Originally from Berea, Kentucky, Alonzo Stepp … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Family history, Ranch history, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Wyoming Equality Day

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. and Wyoming Equality Day! Ronald Reagan signed a bill in 1983 that established Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a nationally observed holiday.  It was not until 1986 that it was first observed; 2000 was … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Politics | Leave a comment

Black History Month Highlight: Elizabeth Byrd, Wyoming Politician

We continue our celebration of Black History Month by drawing much-deserved attention to Elizabeth Byrd.  She was another Wyoming “First,” in that she was the first African-American to serve in the Wyoming House of Representatives, as well as in the … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, women's history | Leave a comment

Black History Month Highlight: Bill Pickett

In honor of Black History Month, the AHC would like to share some of our collection material that highlights African-American life in the West and beyond. The Cowboy The original cowboy archetype in the US imagination was tall, rangy, and … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Uncategorized | Leave a comment