Demetrius W. Pearson – författare

This book examines the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the context of the global sport industry, and asks how sport business might be a factor in enabling positive social change.Opening with a chapter that introduces the most significant sociological, managerial, and social psychological theories, models, and frameworks for understanding this important topic, this book then presents in-depth case studies from around the world that explore various dimensions where sport business and social issues intersect. Covering characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and religious orientation, this book presents fascinating cases across a wide range of sports and international contexts - from women coaches in Nigeria and rodeo Cowboys of Color in Texas, to disability sport development in the Caribbean and allyship within German sport organizations.Providing an important snapshot of global efforts to promote inclusion in and through sport, this book is a fascinating read for any student, researcher, policymaker, or practitioner with an interest in sport business and management, the sociology of sport, or social issues in wider society.

Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region: Charcoal in the Ashes provides an in depth sociocultural and historical analysis of the genesis and contemporary state of affairs regarding African American rodeo cowboys in southeast Texas, whose ancestors were instrumental in the development of the most celebrated livestock management industry in the world. The author painstakingly chronicles the origin of the Texas cattle industry from its Mexican roots to Austin’s Colony, better known as the George Plantation/Ranch, where African Americans were intimately involved in the livestock management industry since its inception. Although enslaved before, during, and after the Republic of Texas was established, they were early stakeholders in the expansion of the western frontier, and an indispensable source of labor that facilitated the burgeoning cattle industry. Yet, as the author maintains, American history wantonly trivialized, marginalized, and blatantly omitted their contributions. This book sheds light on these early cowboys and their descendants who have participated in America’s most prominent prole sport with little to no media exposure. The author dubbed them “Shadow Riders of the Subterranean Circuit,” and even though American sports are integrated African American rodeo cowboys may be metaphorically seen as bits of charcoal spread among ashes.