Erin Siegal

Photo Essays: The Federation of Black Cowboys

   
Al walks to the ranch from the subway.
   
     
  
   
  
Rayjell, one of the students in the at-risk youth program, waves an equine finger puppet.
     
  
Paris, an aspiring young urban cowboy, shares a moment with Playboy the horse. He cleans stalls in exchange for free riding at the ranch.The Federation of Black Cowboys operates a makeshift ranch on a patch of land between two busy highways near the Brooklyn-Queens border in New York City. The fraternal organization is committed to sustaining the legacy of African Americans in the West, and teach at-risk youth about self-respect and community via horsemanship.
   
  
     
  
Brooklyn middle school students make friends with Zen, a quarter horse, for the first time.
   
  
Stencil, a.k.a. Doctor D, whose motto is "Tellin' it Like It Is."