South End Life: Cousins Show How Horses Are Key to Black History and Community

[cbabe]

https://southseattleemerald.org/news/2026/02/09/south-end-life-cousins-show-how-horses-are-key-to-black-history-and-community

South End Life: Cousins Show How Horses Are Key to Black History and Community

Yuko Kodama
Published on:
Feb 09, 2026, 9:00

Lenard Howze Jr. says he grew up with what he called a "peculiar" lifestyle in the Seattle area. His father, Lenard Howze Sr., had a horse-and-carriage service along the waterfront beginning in the 1980s. The business morphed into offering equestrian programs and horse-related events for carnivals, birthday parties, and festivals, such as Juneteenth and Umoja Fest.

Howze, who grew up in Skyway and went to South Shore Middle School and Garfield High School, described a typical morning on the day of an event. "I'd hop on my 10-speed [bike] and head down the street to catch the horses, ride them back bareback to the house in Skyway, tie them up in the yard, and I would begin grooming and getting them prepared for the event," Howze said. "I'd take the keys to my dad's truck, back it up in the yard, and hook up the horse trailer. Mind you, I'm 9 or 10 years old."

Today, the younger Howze is the executive director of Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle (BSS). They attend some South End festivals on horseback, dressed in period U.S. military regalia. The elder Howze founded the organization with a group of local Black men in the early 1990s. The program was created to share their passion for Black history, horsemanship, and outdoors skills.

Geordan Newbill, BSS program director and cousin of the younger Howze, says he would watch his own father and uncle Lenard Sr. in parades dressed in Buffalo Soldier regalia as he was growing up, and he couldn't wait to join in.

Today, the organization arranges hikes and teaches archery. Participants gather kindling and learn to chop wood to build a fire. They cook fish in the fire's coals and camp in a tent. They also learn about grooming horses, equine therapy, and riding skills.

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[UpInArms]

1. What an amazing story

Thank you for sharing