EDUCATION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

It’s A Good Day To Talk About Bill Pickett

Education Foundation Continues the Family Legacy

For Gerald Anderson, pioneering runs in the family. As Executive Director of the Bill Pickett Educational Foundation, he is very proud to continue the enduring legacy of his great uncle, Bill Pickett. Bill was born near Liberty Hill and became his generation’s most famous African-American cowboy and rodeo star. Plus, aside from his amazing rodeo career, he was also an inventor, entertainer, and movie star.

Mr. Pickett was born in the Jenks-Branch community in 1870. His parents were former slaves and, legend has it, he earned the title “cowboy” in the 5th grade. As he grew, his cowboy skills were unmatched and he even invented a style of steer wrangling called “Bulldogging.” His prowess and popularity grew to the point that he toured the nation with the “101 Ranch Wild West Show” and appeared in several movies. See page 8 for more.

THE FOUNDATION

For Gerald, it wasn’t enough just to hear stories of one of Texas’ most famous cowboys. When his grandmother passed in 2000, he found her collection of photos and articles and resolved to continue her work; he looked for people to talk to about Bill Pickett wherever he could. “It was history that needed to be told. I felt like no one was talking about him any more, so I picked up where my grandmother left off.” He has since taken it upon himself to give presentations and speak about his uncle to audiences far and wide. With exhibits and family stories, he visits libraries, schools, and is a regular presenter at Juneteenth and Black History Month events. 

Campers visit the Taylor Fire Department

But Gerald didn’t stop there. In 2002, he created the Bill Pickett Educational Foundation, and later founded a summer camp for boys. “I moved to Taylor and saw my nephew and his friend just sitting around. Rather than sending them out to find something to do on their own, I created something for them. It seemed a shame for a kid to have to start school in the Fall and, when people ask, ‘What did you do this summer?’ they didn’t have anything to talk about.”

Bill Pickett Summertime Fun Camp is an ‘everything’ kind of camp held one week each month while schools are out for the summer. The camp day is from 8am-1pm and does not have a particular agenda; activities are whatever the kids would like to do together. On any given day they may play kickball, do arts & crafts, fish, go on field trips, visit libraries and museums, go swimming, or meet police and fire fighters. “As a single parent, I heard my own daughter talk about things she missed out on, so I created this opportunity with her in mind, and want to work with all the kids like her.”

Gerald partners with the Taylor Community Center and food services to provide free breakfast and lunch, and registration is open to all youth, regardless of age, residence, or financial status. He says, “I never ask about money, I just want kids to be a part of what we do. Many parents have plenty of money, but they are working hard and unable to spend the time. We are all about diversity, and I love having groups of boys or girls who wouldn’t normally play together, sharing lifetime experiences.”

In addition to summer camp, during the winter holidays, the Foundation has a Toy Drive that benefits 250 children and families, and a very special trip to the city to see The Nutcracker. “My 6th grade teacher took us to see it,” he says. “It was something I knew my own daughter would enjoy so we started a small group outing.” Always an innovator, he came up with ways to make the outing bigger and better. He found a program that provides up to 50 tickets to non-profit orgnizations to attend the dress rehearsal performance. “I just wanted these young ladies

Meet William “Bill” Pickett

Bill Pickett was also known as “Bulldogger” and “Dusky Demon.” He was one of 13 children and worked on a ranch at a very young age. By studying the means by which herding dogs brought steers into submission, Bill developed a cowboy technique for wresting and subduing them (including biting their upper lip!), which became part of ranch and rodeo history and was called “bulldogging.”

His abilities brought him respect and renown, and before long he was performing with the 102 Ranch Wild West Show in Oklahoma; often receiving top billing despite Will Rogers’ participation in the shows. He toured and performed for heads of state and royalty across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Bill competed and performed in rodeos for more than 25 years and he was celebrated for having shaped the evolution of the American rodeo circuit. Because African Americans were often barred from performing in rodeos, he was frequently introduced as a Mexican or Native American, which earned him the nickname “Dusky Demon.”

to be able enjoy the ballet. After the show, we go to see the Trail of Lights; it’s the highlight of the year for them.”

Next, he wanted to take them to dinner. As it turns out, all 419 Longhorn Steakhouse restaurants have a photo of Bill Pickett on the wall. When Gerald told him about his family connection, the manager asked if he could ever do anything for him. That December, all 50 attendees ate dinner, at no cost, served by the seven regional managers of the franchise, on their way to The Nutcracker.

Gerald wasn’t able to hold summer camp this year due to pandemic restrictions, but he is currently working on partnerships and funding to allow the kids to have helicopter rides over Austin. HIs long-term dream is to build an equine therapy program to help kids with disabilities, or kids who just need a friend.

T H I N G S H A P P E N W H E N YO U G E T O U T A N D TRY TO DO GOOD THINGS.

The Foundation is based in Taylor, but welcomes and encourages kids from all over Williamson County to participate. Gerald also welcomes financial support or donations of sports equipent, games or supplies, and partnerships for new and exciting experiences. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 and checks may be sent to the Bill Pickett Educational Foundation, 811 E 2nd St, Taylor 76574.

While there are many organizations with the Bill Pickett name, Gerald’s is the only one associated with his family. As such, Gerald is also available for presentations and exhibits, nearly anywhere. “I love to drive and I am so happy to speak to any groups that have interest in the Bill Pickett story. I’m doing what I can to keep the legacy alive.”

You can find them on Facebook or just visit Gerald in person to talk about attending camp or other possibilities. “We promote diversity and inclusiveness and we just want to be there when kids make lifelong friendships. That’s the kind of stories you hear about kids and summer camp; I’m happy to be a part of creating new paths.”

Gerald and his daughter at “The First Bulldogger” statue at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

His great-nephew, Gerald, says “Being a cowboy had nothing to do with skin color. As long as you would, and could, do the work, there were no special privileges or treatment for anyone based on race.”

Bill was the first African-American to be elected to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma; the Rodeo Cowoy Hall of Fame, and the Museum of the American Cowoy in Colorado Springs. In 1993, the U.S. Postal Service honored him as part of its Legends of the West series of stamps, and Pickett Elementary in Georgetown is named after him.

He has also been immortalized with a statue in Taylor, which became his own family’s homestead and, in 2015, when the Williamson County expo center was complete, the road leading to the arena was re-named Bill PIckett Drive. As Gerald says, “The arena may change or go away, but the road will be there forever.”

At the Cowboy Hall of Fame, these words are inscribed to his memory:

Like many men in the old time West / On any job he did his best He left a blank that’s hard to fill / For there will never be another Bill.