Daring To Claim The Sky

Riding Through Compton

A conversation with Melodie McDaniel and Amelia Fleetwood

All things start with an idea, a dream, or a vision, and then enters the hard work and elbow grease it takes to make it happen. Thirty years ago, when Mayisha Akbar moved to an agriculturally-zoned area of Compton, California called Richmond Farms, her dream was to raise her kids with horses in their back yard. Soon her small ranch became a safe haven for children around the neighborhood. In 1988, she founded the Compton Junior Posse. Akbar’s mission was simple: Keep kids on horses and off the street. Her dream blossomed into a year-round equestrian program for the inner city and at-risk youth, instilling in them a work ethic, and building the confidence that comes from learning to ride and care for horses.

As a life long horse-lover, I was immediately inspired by the work being done by the Compton Jr Posse when I was introduced to it by Olympic gold medalist show jumper Will Simpson, who regularly volunteers to train the kids there. I wanted to record and capture this unique moment in time, so I contacted a friend and photographer Melodie McDaniel and shared my idea of following and documenting the organization for a few years. Melodie’s work is iconic, saturated with depth and understanding. She has a knack for capturing compelling stories and telling those stories with the dignity becoming part of the community that she is documenting. For almost three years Melodie immersed herself into life with the Compton Jr. Posse. The results; friendships blossomed and trust was built. Both are visible in her portraits and powerful reportage. The enormity and importance of what these animals bring to the children in the program live in every photograph.

The children appear comfortable and at ease with their horses, whether on the streets of Compton or in the show ring the focus and strength exuding from each portrait is palpable.

Amelia Fleetwood: Mel, what was your initial attraction to this project? I remember the phone call because I had drunk way too much coffee and was totally over-amped.

Melodie McDaniel: I knew right away that this was the project, the gem I was always looking for as a photographer. The core of my work involves capturing diverse subcultures, particularly ones that don’t get much attention. This was a unique and special story about African American culture set in Compton; no one really knows about horse riding in Compton! I was also attracted by these underprivileged African American kids learning and thriving in a sport so often dominated by the elite.

AF: I knew you would be the perfect person for this exploration, to witness the children’s transformation as they master the riding.

MM: Yes, it does so much for these kids, teaching them self esteem, confidence; horses are so positive, this training goes such a long way!

AF: Can you explain why in your work you are always brought back to this place of exploring diversity?

MM: My underlying attraction to diversity is because of my upbringing and background. My mother was Jewish and my father African-American. I grew up in Los Angeles. After I left high school, my mother sent me to live in Israel on a kibbutz for a year. I wasn’t thrilled, the Middle East in the mid-1980s was not somewhere I wanted to go. But I got inspired, meeting people from all over the world and learning about diverse cultures, and I saw photography as a way to continue doing just that. When I came home I knew what I wanted to do. I honed my skills at Art Center College of Design and then was let loose on the world.

AF: Boast a little, please …..

MM: As a photographer and director for the last 19 years, I’ve always been driven by my interest in narrative and storytelling. My biggest music video was for Madonna and these days I love working for Miller Genuine Draft, Levis, and Facebook, to name a few.

AF: And now…

MM: And now we’re about to open “Daring to Claim the Sky” our show, with about 30 beautiful black and white photographs representing the work I have created over these last few years.

AF: Explain how following this program has touched your life

MM: Meeting the kids from CJP and having the chance to document their progression was a gift. I feel such gratitude for this opportunity because the energy behind my work in this project has really re-invigorated and reignited the passion I have for my work. I too have been given the chance to fly!