Cowboys, cowgirls and creators alike gathered at the scenic Los Angeles Equestrian Center in their radiant all-white attire this week to celebrate the release of High Horse: The Black Cowboy.
The three-part Peacock documentary, executive produced by Jordan Peele through his Monkeypaw Productions banner, rides straight into the untold history and enduring legacy of the Black cowboy. Backed by an original score from Raphael Saadiq, High Horse breaks down history, weaving in commentary from Peele himself alongside cultural icons Pam Grier, Glynn Turman, Lori Harvey, Bun B, Blanco Brown, and more. Author and Cécred vice chairperson Tina Knowles appears, bringing Matriach vibes across the production.
As guests entered the cocktail hour, they were met with peach tea (spiked at their request) and the opportunity to have their own Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey bottle engraved with a personalization of their choosing.
Black Excellence Brunch founder and South Carolina native Trell Thomas, who helmed the festivities, set a Sunday dinner tone for a celebration dedicated to Black history and Black pride. Monkeypaw Productions’ SVP of Culture and Impact Keisha Senter, declared that Black Excellence Brunch “felt like a natural alignment” for the occasion.
“The Black Excellence Brunch celebrates Black people, Black culture and Black traditions on a major platform,” she told EBONY exclusively. “The partnership was about creating a space for those who hold our culture so dear to feel seen, to feel celebrated and to be given their flowers, literally.”
She affirmed the undeniable presence of our ranch life existence as the reason for behind the documentary. “Black cowboys and cowgirls were never a footnote – they’re the foundation. More than anything, I hope people feel welcomed home. Home to a culture and a legacy that was always theirs. That’s the heartbeat of High Horse: lifting up the people who have been fighting for our beauty, our truth and our boldness to be recognized.”
Glynn Turman. Image: CRV Productions.
Turman, along with other attendees, enjoyed a delicious family-style feast of southern staples: braised collard greens, shrimp and grits, fried chicken and waffles, peach cobbler, bread pudding and barbecue brisket, slathered with a sweet and smoky blueberry glaze.
After plates were cleared, Thomas pulled the room into a talkback with GRAMMY Award–winning songwriter and producer INK and Compton Cowboys founder Randy Savvy, both central voices in the documentary. The conversation carried weight, but it was INK’s closing words that lingered, an inspiration that settled deep.
“I want to encourage everyone from here on out: let’s not believe, let’s know,” she said, calling back to her artist acronym, which stands for (I)magine (N)ot (K)nowing. “Let’s know that this documentary is going to change things for the future. Let’s know that what we’re doing on our walks for life is all coming together for the greater good.”
All three episodes of High Horse: The Black Cowboy are streaming on Peacock.