Am I Cowboy Enough?

I explore the American identity through the perspective of a community of Cowboys in Texas. Through themes of resilience, history, and heritage, I invite viewers to reflect on their perceptions of the Cowboy and American identity.

In my current project, I explore what it means to be seen as American through the perspective of Black Cowboy communities across Texas. I am interested in how these communities reclaim their history as cowboys and their heritage through generations while redefining what it means to be American. I am interested in how society has defined who is American and how the contributions of those omitted from its history have shaped the culture over time while being excluded from its identity. 

I use color and black-and-white photographs to convey a sense of the past, present, and future, showing that these communities have always existed and will continue to exist as part of the American narrative. 

I have been working on this ongoing project since January 2023, which has taken me to many places across Texas: Houston, Prairie View, San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin. I am also continuing to explore additional cities and rural towns in Texas, where I will further document the complex relationships between the Cowboy and American identities of the residents of these places. 

Through my work, I invite viewers to reflect on their understanding of communities and their perceptions of the American identity and to recognize the resilience, pride, and joy of being a cowboy in America.