ABOUT THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS
OUR CHAPTER
In the Spring of 1983 AJ Hill, David Leonard and several other Army Military soldiers including 1 civilian came together at a soldiers home in Petersburg, Virginia and decided to establish a local motorcycle club. A few days later, the club was established and named The Knight Riders Motorcycle Club of Petersburg VA. David Leonard was elected as President and AJ Hill was elected Vice President. In 1984 AJ Hill assumed the position of President of the club, and David Leonard then became the Vice President.
The Knight Riders Motorcycle of Petersburg VA was incorporated and became a chartered organization in the state of VA in 1985. Honor was established for the clubs name around Fort Lee, VA and the Tri-Cities areas through great works, fellowship, providing support to the needy community, and caring for others.
The Knight Riders rode their sport bikes and cruisers throughout locally and long distance. Traveling to Canada, Florida, NY, Texas, Ohio, and all points in between. Visiting many clubs that they had met during many travels and acquired many trophies and awards for their outstanding support.
In 1985 Memorial Day Weekend the Knight Riders of Petersburg VA rode to Myrtle Beach and met with the Carolina Knight Riders. The two clubs met in Atlantic Beach (the strip in the North Myrtle Beach area) and agreed to pool their contacts and make those three streets in the black area of Myrtle Beach the one place were the black motorcyclist would come visit and enjoy during the Memorial Day weekend. The Knight Riders of Petersburg VA were a part of Myrtle Beach becoming the most popular motorcyle events on Memorial Day weekend.
In late 1995, the President of the Knight Riders, AJ Hill was asked by the President and manager of the Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle of Maryland, Mr. Brian Bulow, if they would consider a name change and become a chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers. In March 1997, the Knight Riders became The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Cental VA. Shortly after, appoval was granted by Ken Thomas of the Buffalo Troopers Motorcycle Club of Chicago (Mother Chapter of our National Organization), Carl Laury of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Florida and Brian Bulow. The name was then changed to Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Virginia. It was established as the fourth motorcycle club to wear and ride with the official Chicago colors under the Chicago logo.
We are a predominately African-American motorcycle organization. However, the members and chapters do not discriminate against race, religion, gender or ethnic origin. We welcome anyone who accepts and supports our values and mission. We also welcome all brands and styles of motorcyles.
Our Purpose
- To promote goodwill and good citizenship among members and community at large.
- To educate members and community regarding the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, specifically the 9th and 10th calvary and its legacy without discrimination.
- To promote motorcycle safety.
- To be committed to developing community service programs, including scholarship and/or aid to other under privilege groups.
Our Goals
- To carry on that great tradition of the original Buffalo Soldiers by serving our communities as responsible and respectable citizens, as they did our country.
- To care for each other and others, being good role models for youngsters, and respecting the great heritage of those original Buffalo Soldiers.
- To host and participate in many charitable events and activities including:
1. Providing educational opportunities to high school seniors through scholarship programs2. Providing food, clothing, money and other items to the needy via charitable donations3. Educating the public on the history and legacy of the original Buffalo Soldiers - To mentor and monitor our youth on the values and importance of education and family.
Buffalo Soldiers M/C of Virginia
P.O. Box 1213
Petersburg, VA 23803
THE HISTORY
In 1993, a memorial park and monument honoring the memory and outstanding contributions of the original Buffalo Soldiers, was dedicated by General Colin Powell. The park is located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, home of the original 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers.
Also in year 1993, the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club was founded, in Chicago, by Mr. Ken ‘Dream Maker’ Thomas, to socialize men and women who shared similar ideas and common bond of motor-cycling. The name was chosen to uphold and perpetuate the heroic legend of the original Buffalo Soldiers and the legacy of excellence of the African American soldiers who followed.
The ‘colors’ (logo) worn on the back of the vest of the club members when riding represent the banner carried by the Buffalo Soldiers during peace-time negotiations in the late 1800’s.
1999, seven motorcycle clubs in seven different states were wearing the Chicago logo/colors on the back of their vest. Representatives of those seven existing Buffalo Soldiers/Troopers Motorcycle Clubs (Chicago, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey and California) met in Greensville, SC and formed a National Association of Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Clubs (NABSMC), under a “ONE CLUB”, “ONE PATCH”, “ONE MINDSET” concept, which was later, Incorporated.
In 2006, the national organization was re-named ‘National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Clubs, Incorporated (NABSTMC, Inc.).
Today there are 54 NABSTMC chapters in 32 states across the United States, including Hawaii, and 2 in Canada, that subscribe to the Constitution and By-Laws of the NABSTMC. While members love to ride and take pride in riding safely, they take equal pride in conveying a positive image, especially to youth, in their communities. BSTMC’S are actively committed to community service and educational programs to all, regardless of religion, gender, or race.
In July of 2004, all clubs of the NABSMC and all affiliates visited the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial in Fort Leavenworth, KS.
Ken "Dream Maker" Thomas
Founder
Buffalo Soldiers Memorial
Fort Leavenworth, KS
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PRESIDENT'S
CORNER
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Copyright 2010 - 2012 Buffalo Soldiers MC of VA - Mother Chapter. All rights reserved
