Harley-Davidson is committed to documenting and preserving the rich history and heritage of African American riding culture for years to come. Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history.
The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
The history of the African American biker scene is filled with visionaries, artists, leaders and revolutionaries such as William B. Johnson, the first African American Harley-Davidson dealer who broke color barriers in the 1920s with his life’s work in motorcycling; the teen-aged gypsy rider, Bessie Stringfield, was the first known woman
to ride solo cross-country on a Harley in the 1930s; and Benny Hardy, a custom builder
who designed the most iconic motorcycle in the world, Captain America, for the movie
Easy Rider.
African American motorcycle culture also includes present-day legends such as John Wesley McCollum, better known as Pee Wee, an influential leader of the Los Angeles biker community. Pee Wee was present at the beginning of the urban biker scene in southern California and has been riding for more than 50 years.
An early member of the seminal all-black Defiant Ones MC, Pee Wee has lived the black biker
experience almost since it started. African American motorcycle clubs in southern
California have grown because of P. Wee’s work in the biking community.
The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee will feature some of the most influential and
industry defining mavericks who blazed trails for the African American riding community
and motorcycle industry at large.
The stories of influential African Americans who have made their mark on the history of
motorcycle culture include:
William B. Johnson, a successful businessman who broke color barriers in
the 1920s and became the first African American Harley-Davidson dealer.
Bessie Stringfield, a teen-aged gypsy rider and the first known African
American woman to ride solo cross-country on a Harley-Davidson in the
1930s.
Pee Wee, an influential motorcycle club leader who helped define the Black
biker scene for more than 50 years since its beginnings in southern
California.
Benny Hardy, a custom bike builder who helped to create the most famous
motorcycle in the world, Captain America, for the movie Easy Rider.
Why is Harley-Davidson acknowledging African American riders now?
Harley-Davidson’s Black History Month activities are part of a broader Motor Company
initiative to document and preserve the rich history and heritage of African American riding culture for years to come.
Participating Harley-Davidson dealerships throughout the country will have smaller
African American exhibits on display throughout the year for Harley riders and
enthusiasts to enjoy. Contact your local Harley-Davidson dealership for details.
For 2012, we will launch a 3-part online video series that chronicles the journey of
African American riders as they discover the brotherhood and bond of riding Harley-
Davidson motorcycles together.
Since 1903 when the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle rolled onto the streets, it brought a wide array of different people together, including African Americans. The Harley-Davidson Motor
Company and African American riders share a unique and longstanding bond. Black
motorcyclists have contributed to Harley-Davidson’s history and status as an iconic brand.
The Beginning During World War II, African American soldiers served in segregated units at
which time the U.S. military commissioned the use of Harley-Davidson motorcycles for its
motorcycle patrolmen. Some all-black units rode Harley bikes as patrolmen, while other African
American soldiers were slowly introduced to riding. Once returning home from the war, black
war veterans were eager to recapture the thrill and excitement of their standard-issued
motorcycle, so they looked to reunite with a Harley-Davidson bike.
The Camaraderie Throughout the 1950s African American motorcycle enthusiast fractions
began to form out of preference for a certain type of Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Some bikers
chose to ride choppers, while others opted for dressers and this division was the steppingstone to creating motorcycle clubs and brotherhood. In his 2004 memoir Soul on Bikes: The East Bay
Dragon MC and the Black Biker Set, Dragons Motorcycle Club Founder and President Tobie
Gene Levingston explains that, “The level of camaraderie that young black men found in
motorcycle clubs was something that couldn’t be obtained around the house; blowing off steam
and being able to relate to like-minded individuals with the same struggles, experiences,
upbringing and ideals of what it meant to be black.”
The Experience Freedom of the open road with no barriers, rules, agendas or limits is what
riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is all about. “Best freedom I ever had was on my bike,
man,” says P. Wee, a member of the LA Defiant Ones, and one of the godfathers of the urban
biker scene. “By the time I put it into fourth gear, I feel like I can take on the world.”
To honor the contributions African Americans have made to motorcycling and Harley-Davidson,
the Harley-Davidson Museum will debut the African American Anthology to commemorate
Black History Month in February 2012. The African American Anthology is a chronological
retrospective of legends, stories and artifacts that made an impact in motorcycling. For more
information about African American motorcycling and the Harley-Davidson Motor Company,
visit www.harley-davidson.com.
Harley-Davidson celebrates African American motorcycle culture through its Iron Elite Website.
African American riders and Harley-Davidson share a strong connection that dates back to
World War II. The revolution of African American riders that started with black military
patrolmen can still be seen throughout the country today. Discover the rich history, inspiring
stories and custom bikes at www.harley-davidson.com/ironelite.
What to Expect The Iron Elite Website has three different features for enthusiasts to visit.
Legends, Stories and Custom bikes are categories within Iron Elite that showcase people,
experiences and especially Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Stories Behind every motorcycle is the story of the man or woman who rides it. Every biker has
a unique story about riding or owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The Iron Elite Website has
a place where riders share their personal Stories and experiences being part of the Harley-
Davidson motorcycling culture. From the solo rider who spends his golden years out on the open
road to the brotherhood and camaraderie shared in riding clubs, a number of different Stories are
shared in Iron Elite. Are you inspired to share your personal riding Stories? The Iron Elite
Website allows visitors to share their Harley-Davidson experiences.
Customs If there is one sure thing about Harley-Davidson riders, they are definitely proud of
their bikes. One-of-a-kind motorcycles layered in custom paint and drenched in chrome down to
the last bolt are featured in Iron Elite Customs. See some of the hottest and most beautiful bikes
displayed in the Customs section of Iron Elite. Page after page of unique motorcycles from
around the country are showcased here. Want to show off in Customs too? Visitors can submit a
photo of their Harley and turn heads in the motorcycle world.
For More Info Visit the Iron Elite Website at www.harley-davidson.com to learn about the
important contributions African Americans have made to Harley-Davidson and the motorcycle
culture. See why African American Legends are remembered. Read the Stories and experiences
felt by Harley riders and discover your reason to ride. Check out photos of unique motorcycles
and understand why proud Harley-Davidson owners are quick to share their bikes in Customs.
