Nicole Scott didn’t grow up with the sound of hooves pounding against dirt arenas or the sight of cowboys racing through open chutes. She’s a daughter of Inkster, Mich., and her early experiences didn’t include rodeos—especially not ones showcasing Black riders, ropers, and wranglers. But fate, family, and faith would pull her into a world that would soon become her life’s calling: producing and championing Black rodeos across the country.
Her journey began in Denver, Colo., where her family relocated years ago. There, she met extended relatives she’d barely known before—one of whom owned a rodeo. “I was like, ‘What is this?’” she recalls. It was at Denver’s Juneteenth parade, followed by a local rodeo, that her curiosity sparked. Growing up in predominantly white educational spaces, she hadn’t been exposed to this rich slice of Black history. “Coming from Inkster and going to private school, they don’t tell you certain things,” she said. “All they tell you about is Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King.”
What started as a curiosity turned into a calling. Scott spent over two decades working behind the scenes in rodeos—volunteering, doing odd jobs, and learning every facet of the business. After successful stints supporting events in Huntsville, Ala., and Bakersfield, Calif., a challenge emerged: Why not bring a Black rodeo home to Michigan?
In 2019, Scott did just that, launching her first rodeo at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Belleville. “I was nervous as hell,” she admitted. “When it’s your hometown, you can’t afford to mess up.” She sought counsel from her church pastor, prayed on it, and ultimately leaned into the support of her family. They believed in her vision—and they showed it tangibly by selling 750 pre-sale tickets, giving her both the seed money and courage to push forward.
The event was a triumph, drawing more than 2,000 attendees in its debut year. This year, Scott expects over 7,500 people to descend onto the Flint area for the Midwest Invitational Black Rodeo on June 13-14 at the Genesee County Fairgrounds at 6130 E. Mount Morris Rd. in Mount Morris. It will be a celebration of heritage, horsemanship, and homegrown hustle.
For Scott, who works full-time as a customer relations manager, the rodeo is a labor of love, not a lavishly funded enterprise. “I don’t have a media budget,” she explained. “My cousins create our Instagram posts. Everything is grassroots.” Despite a lack of corporate backing, her family’s relentless hustle has powered a wave of viral success, selling out shows and growing the event year after year.
But the rodeo is far more than a weekend spectacle. It’s a cultural moment. A space where Black history, pride, and joy come alive—not just in the arena, but all around it.
“We open with the Negro national anthem,” she said. “And when that song starts, you’ll see me running to the stage. I want to see the crowd. Grandmothers are looking at their grandkids who’ve never heard the song before.” That moment of generational connection is her favorite part of the whole event.
The rodeo itself features six competitive events and has hosted as many as 72 cowboys and cowgirls from across the country—from Texas and Oklahoma to California and Louisiana. But what makes the Midwest Invitational stand out is its vibe. It’s not just a show; it’s a reunion.
“We have about 30 vendors, DJs, great food, cigars, line dancing, and we treat it like a big family reunion,” she said. “We don’t do the carnival, but everything else is about fun and community. We want our folks to have a safe space to relax, laugh, and learn.”
Friday, June 13, kicks off with a golf outing, followed by music and mingling. Saturday, June 14, starts with a men’s health fair focused on mental wellness, diabetes screenings, and blood pressure checks—thanks to partnerships with Genesee County health services. Later, guests can enjoy a fashion show featuring designers like Girlie Rider, line dancing with Rep. Cynthia Neeley, and the main event: the rodeo itself. The event even boasts a cigar lounge, financial literacy workshops courtesy of Huntington Bank, and more, making it as educational as it is entertaining.
All of it is driven by a deeply personal mission to reframe the narrative around Black cowboys and cowgirls. “Being a cowboy wasn’t always cool. It wasn’t a compliment. The term itself came from slavery,” Scott explained. “Now it’s becoming fashionable again, thanks to people like Beyoncé and Lil Nas X. But even with that, it’s still hard for us to get sponsorships.”
That lack of institutional support is part of what makes her accomplishment so remarkable. Rodeo production isn’t cheap. Scott estimates she spends $20,000 on cash prizes alone, not to mention another $30,000 for arena rentals and operations. “Before you even put dirt on the ground, you’re $50,000 in,” she said. That’s why securing arenas with built-in infrastructure, like fairgrounds, is essential for financial feasibility.
And though she’s done three rodeos independently across the country, Scott dreams of expanding further—perhaps to Indiana, Ohio, or even back into Kentucky, where Black cowboy history runs deep. But finding the right spaces and funding remains a constant struggle. “Mainstream rodeos can get sponsors to throw $50,000 at them,” she said. “We might get $5,000.”
Still, Scott presses forward, supported by her community and her family—including her daughter, who serves on Inkster’s city council. “We don’t do this for fame,” she said. “We do this to build legacy, to educate, to inspire.”
That commitment has earned her respect across the Midwest rodeo circuit. Despite being the owner of the Midwest Invitational, she often keeps a low profile at her events, preferring to hear unfiltered feedback from guests who don’t realize they’re talking to the boss. “It’s easier that way,” she said. “I’ll clean stalls, take tickets, whatever needs to be done.”
Scott’s rodeo reaches from toddlers to centenarians—literally. “My oldest attendee this year will be 101 years old,” she said. “And the youngest? Probably still in diapers.” For many, the rodeo isn’t just a fun weekend—it’s a reconnection to roots, especially for families whose Southern heritage includes memories of riding horses or working on farms.
And that’s exactly the point. “You don’t know what you don’t know,” Scott said. “Come out, experience it. This is our culture. Our history. Our joy. Everyone is welcome. Just come and see.”
The Midwest Invitational Black Rodeo returns to the Flint area this year with more than just bulls and barrels—it brings a movement, led by a woman who turned a spark of curiosity into a full-blown legacy. Nicole Scott didn’t just bring the rodeo home. She brought a community with her.
For tickets to the show and to get more information on the rodeo, visit https://midwest-invitational.com/.
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