African American Men (J-R)
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Inman Page was born in 1853 in Virginia. Page became one of the first African American students to graduate from Brown University. Throughout his life, Page served in multiple influential and important positions in higher education. In Oklahoma, he was president of Langston University of 17 years, and was supervising principal of segregated black schools. During his time at Frederick Douglass High School in OKC, Page taught future author Ralph Ellison. Page’s daughter, Zelia Breaux, also went on to influence students as a teacher in Oklahoma City. |
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Bill Pickett was born in Texas in 1870. After joining the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch and Wild West show in 1905, Pickett entertained excited crowds with his skills. Pickett is credited with inventing steer wrestling or “bulldogging.” His unique approach was to overpower a steer by biting its lip! Pickett traveled many places with the Wild West show, and even appeared in early films. In 1971, Pickett was the first African American inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame. |
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Bass Reeves was born into slavery in 1838. During the Civil War he fled to Indian Territory, where he lived with the Creek and Seminole Indians, learning about the Territory and its people. In 1875, Reeves was chosen to help create stability in Indian Territory as a deputy U.S. marshal. He was one of the first African American deputy marshals west of the Mississippi. During his career he arrested over 3,000 people and was highly respected for his devotion to upholding the law. |
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