The Legacy of African American Cowboys in the West and in Rodeos

Today's guest is Dr. Demetrius Pearson who is an Associate Professor at the University of Houston. Dr. Pearson has conducted research and written about African American involvement in various sport forms, including the North American Rodeo, as well as their depiction in contemporary sport films. Dr. Pearson contributed to the book "Black Cowboys in the American West: On the Range, on the Stage, Behind the Badge" which won the Ray and Pat Browne Award for Best Edited Collection in Popular Culture and American Culture. He also wrote Chapter 6 of the book titled, "Shadow Riders of the Subterranean Circuit: A Descriptive Account of Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region." His latest book, "Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region: Charcoal in the Ashes," was released in 2021.