The Black Land: Rituals and Rejoicing in African American Rodeo Culture by photographer Jakian Parks celebrates the resilience, beauty, and legacy of Oklahoma’s Black rodeo culture. Through striking portraits and scenes of contemporary Black equestrian life, the exhibition connects past and present—honoring traditions rooted in agriculture, ritual, and community.
Centered on the land as both a site of struggle and a source of identity, The Black Land redefines the American West as a place of survival, resurgence, and joy. Curated by Chloe` Flowers, the exhibition affirms dignity, agency, and heritage, offering a powerful testament to a living tradition of cultural and historical significance.