How the West Was Black, Issue 5 of Awake, illustrates the transformative power of Blackness in shaping the history of the West. While the frontier has often been portrayed through a traditional Western lens, our 9 bounty hunters take us on journeys to places beyond the typical imagination, expanding the genre’s horizons.

This series pushes beyond the traditional boundaries of storytelling, inviting you into a world where there are no limits to how far or where your imagination can take you. If you’ve enjoyed modern westerns like Greg Neri’s adaptation of Concrete Cowboy, cross-genre works like Jordan Peele’s Nope, or even traditional/revisionist westerns such as Jeymes Samuel’s The Harder They Fall, then this issue is for you.

The stories within transport readers to a reality where Black bounty hunters not only reign but conquer ‘isms’ (racism, sexism, etc.) to forge a more equitable world.

Bounty Hunters:

Chris L. Butler / Kei Vough Korede / Jaimie Wilson

Jacob Mack / Dana Tenille Weekes

Regina Jamison / Linda Trice / A. Brown

“Exploring new narratives of the West through the lens of Blackness, How the West Was Black is not just a reimagining of historical landscapes—it’s a reclamation of stories untold and voices unheard. It underscores the vital role of reshaping our understanding of history and culture. By casting Black bounty hunters as the heroes of the New Frontier, this series challenges the traditional narratives and invites us to envision a world where justice reigns. This is more than important—it’s essential—as it opens up a space for new stories to flourish, ensuring that our collective history is rewritten through the truth; with the perspectives of those who have long been buried beneath marginalization.“

– NaBeela Washington, Editor-in-Chief

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Beyoncé fan?

Try our #CowboyCarter 🤠 pairing menu:

We Joog	“Sweet * Honey * Buckin'” or “Riiverdance”
Reverse Racism Out West	“Protector”
a modern haiku	“Tyrant” or “Just For Fun” or “Blackbird”
Speechless	“American Requiem” or “16 Carriages” or “II Hands II Heaven”
Five and None	“II Most Wanted” or “Protector”
Elsie	“Spaghetti”
Someone Planted An Idea About Me	“Texas Hold ‘Em” or “Spaghetti” or “Tyrant”
Still Not Beautiful	“16 Carriages” or “II Hands II Heaven”
Who Shot Ya?	“Alligator Tears”

Support modern-day cowboys and cowgirls through these organizations:

The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club

Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo

South Side Riders

Black Professional Cowboys and Cowgirls Association

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Are you a Black writer/author interested in having your work published in the Awake? Complete your submission here.