Lu Vason was a passionate and committed Black history activist who dedicated much of his life to uplifting the Black community. Through his activism efforts, he became a voice for many who didn't have one.
As one of the youngest Black models to grace the pages of Newsweek magazine who also served as an extra in the film industry, Vason's connection to Hollywood would drive him to want more for the Black community.
Vason would go on to act as a promoter and manager for Black musical acts like the Whispers and The Pointer Sisters. While he helped propel them into the spotlight, he felt he could do more. The opportunity came after a visit to the rodeo.
Though he had fun, Vason realized the rodeo was alarmingly white. This is when it hit him; his impact could uplift the unsung Black Cowboys and Cowgirls who contributed to building the West. This led to the creation of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo.
Lu Vason invested his money, time, and energy into raising the image and power of the Black community. He was aggressively pro-Black and used all his resources to push Blackness into the limelight. How can you use your passion to uplift our community?