My name is Thomas “TC” Costley. Most people just call me “TC.” I am 63 years young and currently the President of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Clubs (NABSTMC). As National President, my goal is to continue to keep the NABSTMC in the fore-front of the fight to change the negative image of biking in general, and black biking in particular. I ask that you all help to make this goal a reality.
Choose a Frontier below
The National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Clubs (NABSTMC) staged a ride to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in July 2004. The event, titled RETRACE 2004, was created to honor the history of the Troopers of the 9th and 10th Calvary units.
Officially constituted July 28th, 1866 in the Regular Army, these African-American Cavalry Troop units served with distinction and demonstrated their fighting skills through many years of faithful duty under the harshest conditions of the American West. They were known with fear and respect and labeled Buffalo Soldiers by their one-time Native American adversaries during the years of the Indian wars in the late 1880s and 1890s.
Bonded by a camaraderie of military service or uniformed civilian service and affection for large motorcycles, the NABSTMC was created in 1999 to consolidate the efforts of African American motorcyclists across the United States.
"We're about supporting our communities" said then National President Carl "Road Dog" Laury. "Our members thought it was time to display our National presence and recognize our heritage, which is the idea behind RETRACE 2004".
With so many chapters starting from different states, RETRACE 2004 was a national event. Members took to the road to rendezvous in Kansas City, Missouri on July 30th. The actual event took place on July 31st with a mass ride from the staging point at the Kansas City International Expo Center to the National Buffalo Soldiers Monument at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The NABSTMC conducted a memorial service honoring the original Buffalo Soldiers that included a Color Guard and wreath laying ceremony followed by speakers and presentations honoring special guests. This organization is currently made up of 75 chapters in 34 states and two in Canada. All members ride various styles of motorcycles and all support a local charity as embodied in the purpose of the NABSTMC.
Ken 'Dream Maker' Thomas
Founder
The history of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Clubs (NABSTMC) began with a dream; in this case, the dream of Ken 'Dream Maker' Thomas. Believing that it was time to establish a modern progressive motorcycle club whose focus was to promote a positive image among Blacks that would be respected in the community and throughout the country, Thomas founded the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Chicago in October 1993. The name Buffalo Soldiers was initially selected to pay homage to and ensure the legacy of African American military contributions in the post Civil War era. Under the leadership of Ken Thomas, the new club was chartered as the Buffalo Troopers Motorcycle Club of Chicago. Membership in the club grew to a total of ninety-two (92) during that first year, making it the largest Black motorcycle club in Chicago, IL. The clubhouse was located at 8510 South Ashland Avenue. The clubhouse displayed many items dedicated to the history and memory of the Buffalo Soldiers such as pictures, books, statues, and an authentic buffalo head donated by member Ernie Daurham. In 1996, the club moved from this location to its current location at 13836 South Indiana Avenue, in Riverdale, Illinois. The club's popularity grew as members attended the national roundups and rallies held in various cities in the country. This popularity transformed into interest of other clubs in affiliation with the Buffalo Troopers M/C of Chicago, Illinois. Then, Brian Bulow, a former President of the Maryland Chapter, and now Vice President of the NABSTMC saw the Chicago Buffalo Troopers at the Atlanta Roundup and displayed an interest in starting a chapter. That interest resulted in the first chapter to wear the “patch” outside of Chicago, Illinois. Soon afterwards, others showed an interest and started chapters, the next four being Florida, Delaware, Virginia and New Jersey. In 1999, the clubs collectively formed the NABSTMC which currently consists of seventy-three member chapters throughout the United States and internationally with additional clubs petitioning for membership. All the chapters of the association determine whether they want to be recognized as “Buffalo Soldiers or Troopers”. However, all the member clubs wear the patch designed by the Chicago, Illinois chapter and subscribe to the NABSTMC rules, regulations, and by-laws.
The NABSTMC is now an active participant in numerous charitable functions including supporting senior citizen homes, student scholarships and food and fund drives for charitable organizations, i.e. The March of Dimes and Toys for Tots. The NABSTMC has also taken the responsibility of mentors to area youth and educational programs, which share enlightenment of the heritage that African Americans have played in the United States. We are also actively involved in recognizing the accomplishments and sacrifices of the Tuskegee Airmen. NABSTMC encourage a positive image and behavior of our members and affiliates. We believe that we are role models and share a responsibility and a positive value system to our respective communities. The member chapters do not discriminate against race, religion, gender or ethnic origin. We are an organization majority comprised of minority members and accept those who share our values and support our cause.
The Buffalo Soldiers logo and scoley is the registered trademark® of the NABSTMC. Permission to use this image must be granted by Ken Thomas.
Thomas 'TC' Costley
The history of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Clubs (NABSTMC) began with a dream; in this case, the dream of Ken 'Dream Maker' Thomas. Believing that it was time to establish a modern progressive motorcycle club whose focus was to promote a positive image among Blacks that would be respected in the community and throughout the country, Thomas founded the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Chicago in October 1993. The name Buffalo Soldiers was initially selected to pay homage to and ensure the legacy of African American military contributions in the post Civil War era. Under the leadership of Ken Thomas, the new club was chartered as the Buffalo Troopers Motorcycle Club of Chicago. Membership in the club grew to a total of ninety-two (92) during that first year, making it the largest Black motorcycle club in Chicago, IL. The clubhouse was located at 8510 South Ashland Avenue. The clubhouse displayed many items dedicated to the history and memory of the Buffalo Soldiers such as pictures, books, statues, and an authentic buffalo head donated by member Ernie Daurham. In 1996, the club moved from this location to its current location at 13836 South Indiana Avenue, in Riverdale, Illinois. The club's popularity grew as members attended the national roundups and rallies held in various cities in the country. This popularity transformed into interest of other clubs in affiliation with the Buffalo Troopers M/C of Chicago, Illinois. Then, Brian Bulow, a former President of the Maryland Chapter, and now Vice President of the NABSTMC saw the Chicago Buffalo Troopers at the Atlanta Roundup and displayed an interest in starting a chapter. That interest resulted in the first chapter to wear the “patch” outside of Chicago, Illinois. Soon afterwards, others showed an interest and started chapters, the next four being Florida, Delaware, Virginia and New Jersey. In 1999, the clubs collectively formed the NABSTMC which currently consists of seventy-three member chapters throughout the United States and internationally with additional clubs petitioning for membership. All the chapters of the association determine whether they want to be recognized as “Buffalo Soldiers or Troopers”. However, all the member clubs wear the patch designed by the Chicago, Illinois chapter and subscribe to the NABSTMC rules, regulations, and by-laws.
The NABSTMC is now an active participant in numerous charitable functions including supporting senior citizen homes, student scholarships and food and fund drives for charitable organizations, i.e. The March of Dimes and Toys for Tots. The NABSTMC has also taken the responsibility of mentors to area youth and educational programs, which share enlightenment of the heritage that African Americans have played in the United States. We are also actively involved in recognizing the accomplishments and sacrifices of the Tuskegee Airmen. NABSTMC encourage a positive image and behavior of our members and affiliates. We believe that we are role models and share a responsibility and a positive value system to our respective communities. The member chapters do not discriminate against race, religion, gender or ethnic origin. We are an organization majority comprised of minority members and accept those who share our values and support our cause.
