This artwork was completed for an exhibit for notable Blacks who made an impact on the US. The exhibit was called Pioneers of the West. It traveled the US for two years. This piece was created for an exhibit that travelled the US for two years. Allensworth, California, was founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth, a former slave, U.S. Army chaplain, and visionary leader. It was the first town in California established, financed, and governed entirely by African Americans. Colonel Allensworth envisioned a self-sufficient community where Black people could live free from discrimination and thrive through education, hard work, and cooperation.
The town flourished briefly with schools, businesses, and civic institutions, becoming a symbol of Black self-determination. Though environmental and economic challenges led to its decline, Allensworth remains a powerful historical landmark, celebrating African American resilience and the enduring pursuit of equality and empowerment.
