BPIR is planning its return in 2022 |
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In 2020 no one knew that a worldwide Covid pandemic was getting ready to make its presence. Well, it did and did so with a vengeance.
After our January MLK rodeo, the BPIR tour was placed on pause as we all struggled to stay safe while Covid was ravaging our communities with sickness and death. Our world, as we knew it, was changing.
Even though we started preparing for a return in 2021, things were still very unstable so BPIR decided to remain on pause as the world was trying to determine the best ways to deal with the virus that just would not go away.
While we were on pause, a lot happen. We were all learning together what we should do to protect ourselves and each other. We learned to focus on what is really important in our lives and we learned how to be much more creative and how to do things differently. BPIR was no exception. While we could not rodeo in person, we tried to entertain and educate our supporters virtually.
We presented virtual rodeo events displaying our Cowboys and Cowgirls skills and spills. We featured weekly videos about our rodeo youth so that you could get to know them up close and personal. We educated you about Covid and things you could do to protect yourself, like social distancing, masking and vaccinations.
We also educated you about how to vote in a national election during a pandemic, while constantly encouraging you to vote.
Each of us had to learn how to function in a new covid world and still be relevant. BPIR did everything it could to protect its supporters, Cowboys and Cowgirls, vendors and sponsors, but continued to look at ways it could make a difference for the Cowboys and Cowgirls in the future. In February 2021, the BPIR announced a partnership with the PBR (Professional Bull Riding) organization, which would create new opportunities for both organizations as they work together.
It didn’t take very long for that partnership to make something happen as our country began to open up. The PBR and BPIR partnered together to present the best of the best with a BPIR Showdown in Vegas rodeo. The hype and excitement were unbelievable, and the Cowboys and Cowgirls came with their A games to make their debut for television.
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Valeria Howard Cunningham,
President and Producer
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It would be the first time an African American rodeo would be filmed for national television and would actually be shown on Juneteenth. In addition to being broadcasted on Juneteenth, there was an extra excitement about Juneteenth this year, since this was the first time that Juneteenth was recognized as a national holiday in the United States of American. Finally, there was recognition of when slaves in this country were actually freed.
This was historical! Historical for the country, BPIR and the Black Cowboys and Cowgirls. A huge Thank You to the PBR and CBS for making the historical moment for BPIR.
The television viewership for the rodeos was off the chain. As a sport event, BPIR rodeo delivered some great numbers for CBS. As they say, it takes a village and to all our supporters, sponsors, and partner; we want you to know how much we appreciate your support.
It has now been 4 months since the Showdown in Vegas, and the country is slowly finding new ways to operate in our Covid world and be safe. With that being said, BPIR is planning to return to the rodeo scene in 2022.
We are planning a big return with new cities, new opportunities for the cowboys and cowgirls and new events for the audiences. Believe me when I say, you will not want to miss it. We will be releasing our tour dates and locations on November 1st. There will be some exciting news coming about a new Texas Connection.
To all our supporters, start dusting off you boots and getting ready to support the BPIR 2022 tour.
Let’s Rodeo!
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For your support and sponsorship during the
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo and Professional Bull Riders'
SHOWDOWN IN VEGAS!
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SECOND EPISODE OF CBS SPORT’S NEW FRANCHISE “BEYOND LIMITS” TO DEBUT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9th AT 2:00PM ET ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK AND STREAMING LIVE ON PARAMOUNT+
CBS’s news release for Saturday’s Beyond Limits show – on CBS TELEVISION NETWORK – is below, including mentions of the BPIR interviews from Vegas.
Our episode is billed as featuring Danny Glover, Ezekiel Mitchell, Charles “Pee Wee” Sampson, Fred Whitfield, Glynn Turman, Obba Babatunde’, Valeria Howard Cunningham and Carolyn Carter.
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CBS has also sent out this teaser tweet which includes a sound bytes from you.
Can’t wait to watch!
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As many of you know, I am a breast cancer survivor. A 30-year breast cancer survivor for which I am internally grateful to our heavenly Father. Grateful that He gave me the wisdom to get my annual mammograms each year and walked every step of my journey with me.
My breast cancer was detected early through my mammogram. Being told that you have cancer is something that no one wants to hear, but what you do with the information and how you handle the situation is what is most important. In this life, we are all dealt cards that we don’t want, sometimes, but the challenge is how you play your hand. You can fold and walkaway or you can make the best of it. I chose to be thankful that my breast cancer was detected early. I educated myself about my options, moved forward with them and most of all kept a positive outlook.
Believe me when I say the journey was not easy. Surgery and chemotherapy were my options to kick the cancer, so I did it with the love and support of family and friends. But most of all, I did it with God’s love and protection and the belief that He would heal me. Now 30 years later, I am still here to tell my story and do what I can to fight breast cancer. (Put a picture in from my 39 mile walk to fight cancer)
Valeria Howard Cunningham
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What is Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.
Understanding Breast Cancer
Cancer is a broad term for a class of diseases characterized by abnormal cells that grow and invade healthy cells in the body. Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast as a group of cancer cells that can then invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body.
Early Detection
According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams, and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.
Reference: National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
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Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Hotline:
800.799.SAFE (7233)
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Domestic violence (also named domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. Domestic violence is often used as a synonym for intimate partner violence, which is committed by one of the people in an intimate relationship against the other person, and can take place in heterosexual or same-sex relationships, or between former spouses or partners. In its broadest sense, domestic violence also involves violence against children, teenagers, parents, or the elderly. It takes multiple forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive, and sexual abuse, which can range from subtle, coercive forms to marital rape and to violent physical abuse such as choking, beating, female genital mutilation, and acid throwing that results in disfigurement or death.
Reference: Wikipedia
Recognize the Signs of Relationship Abuse
At the start of a new relationship, it’s not always easy to tell if it will later become abusive. In fact, many abusive people appear like ideal partners in the early stages of a relationship. Possessive and controlling behaviors don’t always appear overnight and may emerge and intensify as the relationship grows.
Every relationship is different and domestic violence doesn’t always look the same. One feature shared by most abusive relationships is that the abusive partner tries to establish or gain power and control through many different methods, at different moments.
Reference: National Domestic Violence Hotline
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-8255
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
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COVID-19 UPDATE
Delta Variant
The Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of the virus that causes COVID-19. It might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated people.
- Vaccines continue to reduce a person’s risk of contracting the virus that cause COVID-19, including this variant.
- Vaccines continue to be highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death, including against this variant.
- Fully vaccinated people with breakthrough infections from this variant appear to be infectious for a shorter period.
- Get vaccinated and wear masks indoors in public spaces to reduce the spread of this variant.
Reference: CDC
Get Vaccinated
Call 1-800-232-0233
Text your zip code to 438829
Message & data rates may apply.
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