America’s first licensed Black female jockey

Cheryl White made history in 1971 as the first licensed Black female jockey in the United States.

Breaking into a sport that had already begun to close its doors to Black riders, she built a career defined by persistence, skill, and consistency—earning hundreds of wins over more than two decades.

The daughter of a trainer, she came into the game with a deep understanding of horses, but her path forward was anything but easy. At a time when opportunities were limited, she found ways to carve out her place.

Her impact went beyond the races.

After her riding career, White continued in the sport as a racing steward, helping oversee and protect the integrity of the game she had spent her life in.

Her story is part of a larger one, about access, resilience, and the people who kept moving forward even when the path narrowed.