BPIR News - A Word From President Valeria Howard-Cunningham Happy Mother's Day

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BPIR GOING PLACES!

A Message From President / Producer

Valeria Howard-Cunningham

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo continues to travel to various cities across the United States as a family friendly entertainment event. As we celebrate our 35 ^th anniversary, we continue to pride ourselves on building a family of love, both inside and outside the arena. When the rodeo started 35 years ago, it started with many Black cowboys and cowgirls from all over the US, where some knew each other but most didn’t. As a result of traveling with BPIR and growing together, many friendships were formed and now it is one big happy rodeo family.

I say the same about all the fans who have supported the rodeo over the 35 years. Many fans started out saying, “Why a Black rodeo”? You came and could not believe the experience you had. As a result, you kept coming back and bringing others with you and because of you our fan base continues to grow, and why we have sold out crowds everywhere we go.

Many say it is a BPIR cult, but I prefer to refer to you, our fans and supporters as our extended family because we love you as much as you love us. May is a month of Love, especially for all the mothers.

Happy Mother’s day!

"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers." - Rudyard Kipling

Introducing New Directors

MARGO WADE LADREW

National Development & Marketing Director

Margo Wade Ladrew of Wade & Associates Group is the BPIR National Development & Marketing Director correlating various aspects of the rodeo. Ladrew has over 30 years of experience in sale, marketing, consumer promotions, event management and community relations with a specific focus on African American consumers working with the likes of the NAACP Image Awards, Essence TV Awards, The Black Movie Awards, Martin Luther King Community Hospital, KJLH Radio, and Health Net to name a few.

Ladrew is also the founder of The Black BeautyShop “Beauty-n-Black” Wellness Tour that includes Beauty-n-Motion Walk/Run.

While Ladrew still remains coordinator of BPIR Los Angeles rodeo (for over 24 years), her goal is to continue the elevation of the rodeo’s legacy by overseeing the marketing plan and obtaining sponsorship partners for the organization. Already meeting milestones, Margo Wade Ladrew has created a partnership between BPIR and Toyota as a national sponsor.

"I remember the first time I saw the rodeo and was in amazement that I did not know about it.

Now as I celebrate my 25th year association with the rodeo I am so proud of what I have contributed to make it a continued success. As I take on my new role as National Development & Marketing Director I am committed to continue building this legacy, educating our youth, entertaining our fans and telling our forgotten history." states Ladrew

KIMIRHOCHELLE PORTER

National Public Relations Director

KimiRhochelle Porter of KRPR Media as the National Public Relations Director. Porter has worked as publicist for over 20 years to include clients such as The Long Beach Jazz Festival, The Hapawards, The San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, The Las Vegas City of Lights, The National College Resources Foundation, The Black College Expo Tour, Thixotix Modeling Troupe, Inner City Youth Los Angeles, and The Orange County Black History Parade to name a few. As well, KRPR Media has provided successful marketing and promotions services to major producers such as AEG, Live Nation, and Golden Boy Promotions; leading to

sold out concerts.

Porter has worked with BPIR for over 10 years in the Los Angeles markets. As the National Public Relations Director, her role is to coordinate all public relations activities across the board streamlining national media affiliates from a national level and a local stand point.

“I am extremely honored to work with the Bill Pickett Rodeo creating various strategies to include all social online networks, cross marketing various media relations activities to include print and broadcast, to bring collaboration efforts with major brands, and to create effect communication streamlines. As well I am eager to work the BPIR Social Media Director Acynthia Villery to create a YouTube channel, as well as to create more community interaction through Facebook Live, Instagram stories, IGTV, blogging and monthly newsletters,” states Porter.