Richmond’s Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club rides for a reason and a cause — to make a difference in Richmond and across the country.

David Mickens, the club’s president until 2019, says “their mission is to carry on the legacy and honor of two United States African American regiments known as the Buffalo Soldiers.”

The club’s name has historical significance. In 1866, six all-black cavalry and infantry regiments were created after Congress passed the Army Organization Act. Buffalo Soldiers mainly served on the Western frontier following the American Civil War.

Their main tasks were to patrol the Plains of the Native Americans, capture cattle rustlers and thieves and protect settlers, stagecoaches, wagon trains and railroad crews in the West.

The Buffalo Soldier regiments were disbanded when all military services were integrated, but their legacy lives on. Mr. Mickens says, “We are commemorating this brave group of soldiers and heroes that protected Americans out West.”

The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club is one of the biggest black motorcycle clubs in the nation, with 97 chapters and more than 2,000 members across the country.

Earlier this year, the bike club partnered with Jessica Stern and her Connect Our Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that is building intelligent software to find families for foster children.

This new partnership will hold its inaugural “Ride Through Richmond & Picnic In The Park” in support of Connect Our Kids, this Saturday, June 30, starting 10:30 a.m. at Steel Horse Harley-Davidson in Midlothian and ending with a picnic at Byrd Park in Richmond.

Foster care hits home for Mr. Mickens. His mother, Wayvonne, and her twin brother, Carlton, were placed in foster care after their mother passed away from pneumonia shortly after they were born.

“She experienced abuse and was not in a warm environment,” Mr. Mickens says. “She met my father, Carlton Mickens, in high school. They connected and she moved on with her life.”

For Mr. Mickens and the motorcylce club members, the Buffalo Soldier legacy of heroism has translated into community service. The club, as a charitable organization, supports the military and civilian communities.

They have organized events at McGuire Veterans Medical Center on Broad Rock Road in Richmond’s South Side and rode their motorcycles to the hospital.

“The patients love to see us ride up in formation and they come out to look over all of the different kinds of motorcycles,” Mr. Mickens says. “Then we have a cookout and feed the patients and staff.”

There are more than 300 foster kids in city of Richmond, and more than 400,000 nationwide. “The Buffalo Soldiers’ aim is to keep the memory of our ancestors alive by serving the children in our community,” Mr. Mickens says.

A father himself to two children, David, Jr., 26, and Bryana, 24, Mr. Mickens has been a member of the chapter since 2004 when a neighbor invited him to meeting. He got to know them and rode with them. The rest is history.

The Richmond Chapter is comprised of a lot of people from different walks of life, many in their 40s and older – all income ranges and professions. After joining, Mr. Mickens wanted to step into a leadership role. In 2013, he was elected vice president and served for four years. As president, one of his goals is to attract new members and expand the group’s demographics.

“We do a lot of riding, not just in town, but a lot of out of state traveling, which requires time, hotel expenses, food and a lot of other things,” Mr. Mickens says. “We have ridden across country and some members have gone as far as Florida, Montana and California. We travel all over.”

As president, he has been excited and energized in the role. Their next partnership project is a golf tournament on Sept. 6, 2018, with the Carol Adams Foundation, which provides emergency assistance to women, men and children who are victims of domestic violence.

“We are just a bunch of good guys that want to support good causes like Connect our Kids and the Carol Adams Foundation,” Richmond’s Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club president says.

Meet this week’s Personality and a motorcycle man on a mission, David Mickens:

Occupation: Sales consultant at Lexus of Richmond.

What I do: I find well-deserving homes for much-wanted vehicles.

No. 1 volunteer position: President, Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club-Richmond Virginia Chapter. 

Date and place of birth: I was born on March 5, 1968, right here in the beautiful city of Richmond, Va.

Current residence: I currently reside in Henrico County.

Education: Graduate of Henrico High School and some college at J. Sargeant Reynolds and VCU.

Family: Son, David Mickens Jr., 26, and a daughter, Bryana Mickens, 24.

When elected and length of term:  I was elected in October 2017 to a two-year term.

How club got its name:  Most of the group at the time were previously in the military and wanted to ride with a cause. They decided to go with the Buffalo Soldiers name.

Number of members: We currently have 10 members, and growing.

Profile of members: Most of our members are 40 plus.  Most are retired.  We are currently in search of more members that meet the qualifications.

Why the emphasis on The Buffalo Soldiers: The Buffalo Soldiers’ history is an awesome one.  It portrays African Americans’ willingness to serve this great country at the same time they were being suppressed.

Why I’m excited about this organization: It’s exciting to be a part of a organization that allows you to do what you love, which is to ride motorcycles and to be visible in the community where we live and that we love.  Veterans at the VA hospital love to see us come with lots of bikes, and kids in the community love to see this as well.

How I became interested in motorcycles:  I’ve always been fascinated with motorcycles since early childhood. I borrowed some of my older friends’ motorcycles and eventually got one myself. When I got married in my early 20s, had a son then a daughter, my riding days ended. Then in 2004, I went to a friend’s house. He had this motorcycle in his garage and encouraged me to take it for a spin. I did. Monday morning, I was in the local Honda store buying one off the showroom floor.

When I ride: I try to ride as much as possible.  I enjoy going out on a Sunday for a long ride to get breakfast or lunch.

What is the most fun about riding:  The most fun I have is riding to different cities with friends and enjoying the scenery.

Favorite motorcycle: What I ride is my favorite, which is the Harley-Davidson Road Glide, but there are a lot of really nice bikes out there and in our club.

Favorite cycling maneuver: I love to ride in the mountains.  It’s very thrilling to lean the motorcycle in the sharp curves.

Reason: Going in a straight line is OK but leaning makes you feel like you are a part of the bike and the environment.

A perfect day for me: Out for a long ride somewhere on a beautiful day with friends, stopping for good food and conversation.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I’m a decent tennis player. I love the game and I am working to improve it.

 A quote that I am most inspired by: That which does not kill you makes you stronger.

Best late-night snack: I love a slice of chocolate cake.

The top of my “to do” list is: To explore different parts of the country on two wheels and on four. I love nature and to see the different landscapes of this breath-taking country.

Book that influenced me the most: “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff” by Richard Carlson.

What I’m reading now: “Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence” by Gary Mack.

If I had more time, I would: Like to be a part of another community organization like Big Brothers/Big Sisters or something where I can make a difference in someone’s life.

My next goal: Becoming a business owner. I’m in the process of finding something I enjoy and finding a way to make it useful and profitable.