Mt. Ephraim, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/26/2015 -- Barb's Harley Davidson will commemorate Black History Month with their Iron Elite Event, Saturday February 28th from 12pm to 3pm at their dealership on 926 Black Horse Pike in Mount Ephraim, NJ 08059.

The history of the African American biker scene is filled with visionaries, artists, leaders and revolutionaries. People like William B. Johnson, the first African American Harley dealer. The teen-aged gypsy rider, Bessie Stringfield. P. Wee, the influential motorcycle club leader. And Benny Hardy, the unknown custom builder who created the most-famous motorcycle in the world, Captain America, for the movie Easy Rider. They each rode a motorcycle to showcase their pride, and fueled a movement more powerful than simple internal combustion.

The real revolution started in the late 1940s, as black infantrymen streamed home from World War II, hungry to replace the adrenaline rush of combat. Post-war, surplus bikes were available and cheap. In this era of segregated America, some dealers wouldn't sell a new bike to an African American. Factions began to form out of love of the motorcycle. Some rode choppers, some rode dressers. The next step was the motorcycle club, some all-black, others integrated. They started to form in the late 1950s. East Bay Dragons. Star Riders. Buffalo Riders. The Eagles. The Defiant Ones. The Magnificent Seven. The Chosen Few.

In his 2004 memoir Soul on Bikes: The East Bay Dragons MC and the Black Biker Set, Dragons founder and president Tobie Gene Levingston explains that, "The level of camaraderie that young black men found in motorcycle clubs was something that couldn't be obtained around the house; blowing off steam and being able to relate to like-minded individuals with the same struggles, experiences, upbringing and ideals - what it meant to be black."

However violent or anti-establishment some clubs were, they recognized that in order to get respect and be successful they need to stay positive and push their brothers to do good - within both the club and the community.

"African Americans have influenced and helped shape motorcycle culture throughout our history. Riding culture is seen differently today because of their numerous contributions to it" said John Comissiong, director of African American outreach marketing, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. "We're number one in sales to African Americans, and not only are we very proud of our shared history, we're always looking for new stories to tell"

Barb's Harley Davidson's special guest for the event is Model, Actor, TV host, and Harley Rider, Tyson Beckford. He will be here to sign autographs, tell his story about his journey with Harley-Davidson.

About Barb's Harley Davidson
Barb's Harley-Davidson started out in 1986 with only 7 employees. With a lot of hard work and dedication, Barb's Harley-Davidson has grown into a company with over 50 employees and has become NJ's number one dealer of new and used Harley-Davidsons. Located in Mt. Ephraim, NJ on the Black Horse Pike, Barb's is the closest Harley-Davidson retailer to Philadelphia, with easy access from Delaware. Barb's has a complete service department with over 10 full-time factory trained technicians and one can be sure to be greeted in their pressure free environment. Barb's has won 8 Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Awards, a Harley-Davidson Credit Eastern Dealer of the Year Award, and a Top V-Rod Sales Award and several community awards.

For more details about Barb's Harley-Davidson visit http://www.barbshd.com
Questions about the event contact Susan Manuel at smanuel@barbshd.com or
856-456-4141.