About this Book

"From 1988-2018, the streets of Compton were the stomping grounds of a youth riding and equestrian program under the leadership of Mayisha Akbar. Designed to provide the kids of Compton with meaningful year-round after-school activities, members not only learn to ride, but to care for their horses--developing responsibility, discipline, and self-esteem. That program is now continuing under the leadership of the very members for whom it was initiated. Riding Through Compton pairs three years of documentary photographs and formal portraits by Melodie McDaniel with interviews by Amelia Fleetwood conducted with participants of the Compton Jr Posse riding program. Essays by CJP founder Mayisha Akbar and alum and the member-manager of the Compton Cowboys, Randy Savvy, speaks to the history and innovative future of the programs. Poet Laureate of Los Angeles Robin Coste Lewis contributes an excerpt from her poem "Frame;" afterword by Walter Bodle places the photographs and the importance of the CJP program in historical context."--Publisher's website.