National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Clubs in Mobile

MOBILE, Alabama (WKRG) – The National Association Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club convention is taking place in downtown Mobile through Saturday.

“It’s like a big family reunion,” said biker Pink Panther.

The club has over 120 chapters around the world, including chapters in Hawaii and South Korea. All members share the common goal of educating the world about the history and significance of the 9th and 10th Buffalo Soldiers Cavalry who served in the United States Army.

The Buffalo Soldiers were an all-African-American team sent to the western frontier after the Civil War from 1866 to 1944.

“They sent them west to escort wagon trains and protect the people on the plains out there,” said Terry Hodge, vice president of the Greensboro chapter in North Carolina. “The Indians gave them the name Buffalo Soldiers because of their woolly coats and the voracity with which they fought.”

The motorcycle club uses its motorcycles as a symbol to represent the Buffalo Soldiers.

“The Buffalo Soldiers of 1866 rode horses,” said Pink Panther. “We ride our iron horses to honor them.”

Pink Panther has been a full member of the Buffalo Soldiers motorcycle club since April 2021. A particular soldier inspired her to join.

“There was actually a woman among the Buffalo Soldiers named Cathay Williams,” said Pink Panther.

Cathay Williams enlisted in the Army in 1866 under the false name “Willam Cathay” and posed as a man. She was honorably discharged in 1868 after being outed as a woman.

This story still inspires Pink Panther.

“She paved the way for women like me to become motorcyclists and have equal rights, just as equal as men,” said Pink Panther.

These motorcyclists not only bring the rich history to the community, but they also provide a service to the community and those in need.

“We talk about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers everywhere,” said biker Roosevelt Brown. “We do a lot of charitable work in our community and have fun on our motorcycles.”

The Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club will be in Africatown on Saturday to donate canned goods.