Popular shows like Yellowstone, Westwood, Bonanza, and many others pay homage to the cowboys of the Wild West. While most of them feature Caucasian actors, it’s actually estimated that 25% of cowboys from 1866 to 1886 were actually Black Americans. Despite being underrepresented in popular society, the Black cowboys played a vital role in settling the untouched land of the West. Join me as we shine a historical spotlight on the Black ranchers, cowboys, and settlers that helped shape the nation.