Black Meetings and Tourism

July/Aug 2012

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HARLEY-DAVIDSON PAYS SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO TRAILBLAZING AFRICAN AMERICAN RIDERS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH To BY EDITH BILLUPS past and present. A special exhibit atTheHarley-DavidsonMuseum inMilwaukee celebrate Black History Month, The Harley- Davidson Motor Company honored key African-American riders and the contributions they havemade to the culture ofmotorcycling, Americans, but it has been largely unknown how African-Americans have helped to shape Harley-Davidson as an iconic brand. The stories of African-Americans who have made their mark on the featured stories of some of themost influential and industry-defining mavericks who blazed trails for the African-American riding commu- nity and themotorcycle industry, at large.The exhibit, titled Journey of the Iron Elite, ran in February. Currently, Harley-Davidson is number one in sales to African- history ofmotorcycle culture include: William B. Johnson, a successful businessman who broke color American woman to ride solo cross-country on aHarley-Davidson in the 1930s. P.Wee, an influentialmotorcycle club leaderwho helped define the Gorjus is prominently featured at the exhibit's entrance and whose bikes have been sought out by celebrities for their unique extended front ends and rockers. According to John Comissiong, director of market outreach for famousmotorcycle in theworld,CaptainAmerica, rode by actor Peter Fonda in themovie Easy Rider, and Sugar Bear, a Los Angeles-based custom bike builder, whose bike barriers in the 1920s and became the first African-American Harley- Davidson dealer. Bessie Stringfield, a teen-aged gypsy rider and the first African- Black biker scene formore than 50 years since its beginnings in south- ern California. BennyHardy, a custombike builderwho helped to create themost 32 are part of a broadermotor company initiative to document and pre- serve the rich history and heritage of African-American riding culture for years to come. "To help gather and featuremore stories ofAfrican- American riders, the Iron Elite section of our website actively seeks and showcases African-American rider stories,motorcycle customiza- tion and legends," said Comissiong. "For 2012, we also will launch a 3-part online video series that chronicles the journey of African- American riders as they discover the brotherhood, sisterhood and bond of ridingHarley-Davidsonmotorcycles together." Comissiong made the comments at a breakfast that kicked off a three-day event for press that included a VIP tour of the African- American exhibit at the museum; aMotorcycle Boot Camp to learn the ins and outs of riding culture; a tour of theHarley-Davidsonman- Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Harley-Davidson, the idea for the exhibit came about because "African-Americans have had a defining impact onHarley-Davidson's brand and culture, and our focus is to celebrate their contributions and highlight their stories inmeaningful ways." He noted that Harley-Davidson's Black History Month activities

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