Photojournalist and filmmaker Ivan McClellan said that growing up, he enjoyed watching westerns like “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza.” However, he wondered why there weren’t any Black cowboys. “I rarely saw representation of people who looked like me in these shows,” said McClellan, 41.
“When I discovered the unique blend of Black culture and western culture, it ignited something in me. I felt a strong desire to document and share this overlooked aspect of American history. Over the last few decades, I’ve developed meaningful relationships within the Black rodeo community and have been dedicated to showcasing their stories and contributions.
” Earlier this year, McClellan helmed the second annual Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo – which he co-founded – in Portland. He also released the photobook “Eight Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture: Photographs by Ivan McClellan” (Damiani). Eight seconds is significant, because it refers to the amount of time riders have to stay on a bucking bull during a rodeo in order to score points.
For more information, readers may follow the Portland resident on Instagram ( @eightsecs ). Q: What area is best known as the home of the Black cowboys and cowgirls? A: The largest population of Black cowboys and cowgirls can be found in Oklahoma, which serves as a hub for this culture. Texas also has a strong presence of Black cowboy culture, but Oklahoma is where you truly see it thriving.
[But] I’ve had the privilege of photographing these.