Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/79688
ufacturing plant; and a launch party at themuseumwhere two newmod- els, the Softail Slim and the Seventy- Two, were unveiled. Among the invited guests were designed bikes for the likes of Gloadean White, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith and Ozzy Osbourne, and who was mentored by Benny Hardy, "The exhibit is important because until recently, as far as custom bikes were concerned, no one knew that we were involved. We have only recently been acknowledged by the mainstream motor- pers mainly came out of Watts "and most people didn't even know that Benny designed the Captain America bike that became the most recognized motorcycle in the world following the movie, Easy Rider. That became known in 2006 when I talked about that in a documen- tary on choppers on the Discovery Channel that was made by Jesse James." During the kickoff, guests were cycle industry. Prior to that, because we weren't written about in bike magazines, we weren't known outside of our community." The designer noted that chop- director of security for the National Basketball Association, "I think the exhibit is a great idea in that it highlights African American riders and their contributions. It feels good that Harley- Davidson is recognizing and reaching out to this market. African- Americans have been riding bikes for years because in many cases, during World War II, African-Americans served as military police officers and couriers. When they returned from the war, many did not have the purchasing power to buy new Harleys, but they pur- chased used Harleys and customized them. Today, our club has over 5,000 bikers, and many are professional, single women who have the disposable income to buy bikes. The majority of our members ride Harleys." For Sugar Bear, whose company, Sugar Bear Choppers, has several African-Americans whose sto- ries are told in the museum, includ- ing Sugar Bear, who left corporate America to become the most well known African-American custom designing bikes today; Ken Thomas, president of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Club, the largest African- American biking club in the country; Sandra Goldie Sowers, an African- American motorcycle historian, who lives in Atlanta and who blogs about African-American riding culture.; and winners of the company's Iron Elite contest. According to Thomas, a retired Chicago police officer and Ken Thomas (right) with unidentfied member of Buffalo Soldiers National Riding Club is akin to belonging to a support group when facing life's challenges. Thomas agreed with many of the comments and noted that one gets when having the wind touch their face and how riding is a way to escape one's daily problems. Others noted that belonging to a club welcomed by Bill Davidson, great- grandson of one of the four founders and vice president of marketing for the museum, who told several poignant stories about the company's founding and history. They also were shown a video titled "Brothers of the Bike," where African Americans dis- cussed their reasons for becoming motorcycle enthusiasts, including the freedom that comes with the sport and the camaraderie shared by club members. Many commented on the thrill also was about freedom. Sowers, who belongs to an all female club out of L.A. that has eight members named the Real Deal, said that she has been riding since age17, "and as women we love the independence." Gwen Sheppard, an Iraq war veteran from Browndeer, WI, noted, participating Harley-Davidson dealerships will host smaller dis- plays throughout the year, "and we will continue to attend and support a variety of African American motorcycle events around the country such as Daytona Beach Bike Week; Atlantic Beach Bike Week; and National Bikers RoundUp in order to meet riders face-to-face and hear their sto- ries." The Harley Davidson "I'm a member of the American Legion riders, and when I get on a bike, it's all about the freedom and not being confined by windows or a vehicle. I have complete control. I'm in a zone." Comissiong said that in addition to the museum exhibition, that, "I started the Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Club in 1993 because I wanted to create a club with a better image than the media portrayed—one in which people ride with a purpose. We participate in various charities, such as giving scholarships to seniors going to college. We give back to the community in other ways through sickle cell rides, breast cancer rides, food drives, etc…" For some African American women attending the event, the feeling Writer Edith Billups at Harley Davidson Boot Camp Museum has over 350 models of bikes, ranging from proto- types and concept vehicles from its inception in 1903 to the present. For more information, visit www.hdmuseum.com. For more information on Harley- Davidson's Iron Elite outreach to African Americans, visit. www.hd.com/ironelite. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 33