Cowboys dancing and having fun at a rodeo event while others watch from behind metal gates.

The Forgotten Cowboys


Whilst, as a ten-year old black boy playing Cowboys with my younger brother in the playground at our junior school in North London, we were repeatedly told that we had to play the roles of native American Indians, as their were never any black cowboys. How could we argued this moot point, we had certainly never seen any black cowboys. The Cowboys always won.

Who would have thought, some thirty years later that I would be off in search of these real life black cowboys. 



The Forgotten Cowboys: The Cowboys of Colour Rodeo, Texas

The Cowboys of Colour Redeo

The Forgotten Cowboys :- A Young boy being taught how to wrestle a calf to the floor by his father.

A Young boy being taught how to wrestle a calf to the floor by his father.

This project represents a 20 year vision; one that I eventually found time to go in search of - The Forgotten Cowboys. It's my homage to America's first cowboys, the black men who found life on the vast prairies infinitely better to life on the plantations and elsewhere. Although they still suffered from bigotry and harsh working and living conditions, these men and women help to forge and tame the Wild West frontier and were a tangible part of the narrative and collectively responsible for the success of the American Western story.

View of rodeo arena with western decorations and American flag visible in background.
Historical reenactor in period military uniform standing inside rustic building.
Cowboy in red jacket stands beneath mounted deer heads in shop interior.
Two cowboys standing by tranquil lake during sunset in rural landscape.
Four cowboys on horseback lined up against blue sky and open landscape.
Group of cowboys gathered outdoors on hillside with horses nearby under blue sky.
A cowboy stands with rope beside a serene lake during sunrise.
Close-up action shot of cowboys working with horse during rodeo event.
Portrait of person wearing red western shirt and black cowboy hat against blue background.
A cowboy in a black pinstriped shirt and cowboy hat poses against a gray background.
Four riders on horseback pose together in a line on a sunny day.
A cowboy wearing chaps, denim vest, and white hat poses against a gray backdrop.
A cowboy wearing suspenders and light-colored hat stands against a gray background.
A cowboy sits with riding gear and leather chaps on a light-colored backdrop.
A rider on horseback gazes across a sunlit ranch with fencing in the background.
A cowboy in a dark hat is photographed inside a dimly lit space with bokeh effects.
Two riders on horseback, one on a spotted cow, pose in front of ranch fencing.
A cowboy in a plaid shirt and straw hat smiles warmly at the camera.
A cowboy practices roping techniques in an arid landscape.
Cowgirl wearing a black hat and dark jacket poses against a light backdrop.
Cowboys handle gear on the ground with horses and blue sky in the background.
Cowboy wearing embroidered western shirt and tie poses against gray background.
Two cowboys wearing traditional western attire stand outdoors at dusk.
Cowboy sits in truck cab with rifle and red book on dashboard.
Two cowboys in western attire stand against weathered red barn wall.
Two cowboys in denim and hats stand in sunlit field.
Woman in red jacket and jeans shades eyes while standing outdoors.
Two cowboys on horseback ride together at sunset.
Group of cowboys in western wear gather near rodeo arena gates.
Riders on horseback gather during a scenic sunset trail ride against a cloudy sky.
A rancher stands confidently next to a chestnut horse on a sunny afternoon.
A cowboy hat soars through the air above a cheering crowd at an indoor rodeo event.
Enthusiastic spectators wearing cowboy hats celebrate at a western event.
A cowboy prepares in an indoor arena with ropes and western gear visible.
Cowboys gather around during a nighttime rodeo event under arena lights.
A cowboy leans against a bright yellow wall during golden hour.