The Black Cowboy

Name/Title

The Black Cowboy

Photograph Details

Type of Photograph

Cibachrome Print

Context

Isaac Steele, founder of the Black Cowboys and Buffalo Soldiers Association in Milwaukee, stands with his horse in front of a red trailer which shows the following text: "Midwest Black Cowboys Association Inc." and "Steele's Black Buffalo Soldiers." See: Matthew J. Prigge, "Milwaukee's Cowboy Ways," Shepherd Express (2012): "[Isaac] Steele is a third-generation member and president of the Black Cowboys and Buffalo Soldiers Association. His grandfather founded the groups nearly 100 years ago as a way to honor African-American contributions to the history of the American West and the fabled Buffalo Soldiers, the all-black regiments in the U.S. Army. Steele brought the association north with him when he moved from his hometown of Greenwood, Miss., to Milwaukee in the 1970s." The Buffalo Soldiers and Black Cowboys Association "headquarters, stationed at the N.E. intersection of 31st & Brown, is a bustling center of social activity in the Walnut Hill neighborhood." Steele is "proprietor of Steele's Professional Welding at the same location." The Black Cowboys and Buffalo Soldiers Association visited the Villard Square Branch in 2025.

Collection

Artwork Collection, Wisconsin Art Collection, Center Street Library Collection, City of Milwaukee/Milwaukee Arts Board Collection

Acquisition

Accession

1990.2

Source or Donor

Milwaukee Arts Board

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Artist

Cheryl L. Franklin

Date made

1986

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Framed Size

Height

12 in

Width

30 in