Directed by Yoruba Richen
The series ends on Freedom taking us on a trip through Texas. It’s an appropriate place to conclude the story because so much of the unfulfilled promise of America to the Black people who gave themselves to build this nation can be seen through the cowboys and frontiersmen of Texas. These brave men and women saw possibility and the power of self-determination as a birthright and traveled west searching for personhood.
In the final episode, we end with Anthony Bruno, trail boss of the Northeastern Trail Riders. He shares the legacy of the Black cowboy through his father, the elder Mr. Bruno, and the passing on of traditions intergenerationally through the ritual of trail riding. We also meet BBQ pitmasters and restauranteurs and conclude with Toni Tipton Martin using one of the stops of her abbreviated book tour for her cookbook Jubilee to share the stage and highlight chef Chris Williams who is carrying on the legacy of his great grandmother, the late chef, and restaurateur Lucille B. Smith.
Locations:
Hempstead, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Fresno, Texas
Huntsville, Texas - New Zion Missionary Baptist Church & BBQ,
Houston, Texas
Rosenburg, Texas - Black Cowboy’s Museum
Wharton Country, Texas - Wharton County Youth Fair
Episode Subjects
Jerrelle Guy, writer, cookbook author
Anthony Bruno, Trail Boss, Northeastern Trail Riders
Pastor Clinton Edison, Pastor, pitmaster, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church & BBQ
Greg Gatlin, Co-Owner, Gatlin’s BBQ
Mary Gatlin, Co-Owner, Gatlin’s BBQ
Michelle Wallace, Executive Chef, Gatlin’s BBQ
Eugene Thomas, Juneteenth Descendant
Toni Topton Martin, author, historian, journalist
Chris Williams, Owner/Chef, Lucille’s Restaurant
Larry Callies, Founder, Black Cowboy Museum
Episode Reading:
The second half of chapter 6, the “O! Freedom” section, and 7 Westward Ho! are the chapters to focus on in this episode. Episode 4 concerns itself with Texas as the thematic manifestation of emancipation and the articulation of a visceral language of freedom. Texas becomes the site of the promise, if not the actualization of black agency and the symbolism of cowboys, manifest destiny, and Black authorship of BBQ tradition round out this episode.
Supplement Materials:
Black Smoke by Adrian Miller
Aesthetic Vibe:
Juneteenth Playlist
Episode Menu:
Pickled Shrimp with Okra and Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes with Goat Cheese and Red Pepper Remoulade
Smoked Brisket
Warm Sweet Potato Salad
Kale and Collard Green Salad with Chili Vinaigrette
Sweet Corn and Jalapeno Spoonbread
Red Velvet Cake
Lavender Tea Cakes with Lemon Sorbet and fresh berries
Hibiscus Tea and Citrus Mint Tea