Today’s Communiqué -11.25.25

1. Arkansas Cinema Society + NOIRE® To Host Screening of Peacock’s High Horse: The Black Cowboy

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Nov. 25, 2025) – The Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) + NOIRE® magazine are thrilled to host a special screening of Peacock’s new show High Horse: The Black Cowboy on Wednesday, Dec. 10 in the Lecture Hall at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. The screening will include an episode of High Horse followed by a Q+A with members of the Wilburd family from Cabot. The family is featured in the series and will discuss their experiences as Black cowboys and co-starring on the show. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free. Reserve your tickets now.

This new docuseries from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions explores the role of Black cowboys in shaping the American West and their cultural impact today. The High Horse synopsis reads: “Black cowboys’ rich heritage comes alive through their enduring connection to the American West, revealing untold stories of resilience, tradition, and their lasting impact on ranching culture.” Watch the trailer here.

While Arkansans may be familiar with the legendary U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, the contributions of Black Americans goes far beyond his story. High Horse delves into this rich legacy that has been overlooked in popular culture and American history. The show explores the Old West, but also highlights modern cowboys such as The Wilburds, a multigenerational force in Rodeo culture, where discipline, legacy, and joy shape their everyday life. From their 60-acre ranch in Cabot, parents Rashaun and Zanetta are raising a standout group of cowgirls, led by 16-year old barrel racer Paris, while building a family tradition rooted in hard work and faith. Through their annual Defeat the Beast Invitational Rodeo and their unwavering commitment to excellence, the Wilburds are not just participating in the sport; they’re redefining it.

NOIRE® Co-Publisher Stephanie Jackson said, “High Horse: The Black Cowboy is a window into a legacy of resilience, identity, and pride that deserves to be seen. Partnering with the Arkansas Cinema Society to uplift the story of Paris Wilburd and the Wilburd family–our Issue 3 cover story–feels like bringing our pages to life and aligns perfectly with NOIRE’s mission to elevate the Black voices shaping Arkansas. This screening is a celebration of heritage, hope, and the power of seeing ourselves reflected with truth and beauty.”

Arkansas Cinema Society Director of Outreach Kody Ford is excited about the partnership and highlighting these untold stories.

“Whether yesterday or today, the stories of the American West go beyond John Wayne films or Taylor Sheridan shows,” he said. “We look forward to expanding this conversation by screening High Horse with our friends at NOIRE® and chatting with the Wilburd family about their experiences as modern rodeo cowboys.”

About NOIRE®
NOIRE® is Arkansas’s premier publication and digital platform dedicated to news, culture, and storytelling about African Americans. Rooted in authenticity and crafted with intention, NOIRE® amplifies the voices, lives, and legacies of Black Arkansans who deserve to see, and be seen, in stories told from our perspective. With striking visuals, rich reporting, and a commitment to excellence, NOIRE® fills a long-standing void by delivering compelling narratives, each created as beautifully as the communities we represent. Founded in 2022 by communications and media executives Stephanie Bass Jackson and Myron Jackson of Jackson and Jackson Publishing, LLC, NOIRE® brings us stories of triumph, challenge, celebration, grief, joy, and possibility, stories that stay with us and move the culture forward. Find us online at NOIREArkansas.com and on Instagram, Facebook, and X @arkansasnoire.

Our News. Our Culture. Our Time.

About Arkansas Cinema Society
Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) is a non-profit committed to building a film community in Arkansas where film lovers can watch films, share ideas, connect with each other, and nurture the new and existing film talent within our state through increased exposure to filmmakers and their art. Memberships are available to the public at large who may wish to dive into educational videos, members-only tickets and more. Those interested in supporting ACS can visit their website at arkansascinemasociety.org.

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