Today Patrina welcomes one of her absolute favorite cousins, and previous guest, Kevin Bruno’s younger brother, Anthony Bruno. Patrina and Anthony talk about growing up together more like siblings than cousins, how their grandpa shaped them into kind, gracious people of faith, and served as the ultimate example of Black Male Excellence for both Anthony and Patrina. They pay tribute to their Aunt Felicia Sue, who died due to complications related to Lupus in her mid-30s, reflect on the legacy they want to leave, and discuss the crucial role that Black people have played in American history and culture, and in particular, the Black Cowboy.Anthony breaks down how ex-slaves were used to herd cattle in Texas following the Civil War, using their skills from West Africa, and how the term ‘cowboy’ originated as a derogatory acronym for ‘Black-owned youth.’ Anthony tells Patrina about being a trail boss, and his annual trail rides to pay homage to his ancestors and their immeasurable sacrifice on the tumultuous journey from slavery to freedom. He discusses his many television appearances, where his goal is to represent Black Western heritage to the fullest. He also offers his perspective on the ‘Urban Cowboy,’ Juneteenth, and making sure that history is accurately told and shared. Patrina asks Anthony what is bringing him joy at the moment, and he concludes by encouraging listeners to research their own family history and embrace where they come from wholeheartedly.Episode Highlights:

• Patrina and Anthony grew up more like siblings than cousins
• Anthony’s perspective on their grandpa - he was the ultimate example of Black Male Excellence, and inspired everyone around him with his kindness and commitment to family
• Aunt Felicia Sue and her early death due to complications related to Lupus in her mid-30s
• Reflections on the legacy they want to leave and gratitude for their ancestors
• The history and legacy of the Black Cowboy, and Anthony’s passion for representing Western heritage
• Anthony is a trail boss, and he conducts trail rides to pay homage to the sacrifices of his ancestors on their journey from slavery to freedom
• This is a spiritual experience that he leads once a year
• Story of one of the first trail bosses, George W. Bush (born in 1834)
• Anthony’s appearances on several television shows, including ‘Braxton Family Values’ and ‘High on the Hog’
• Anthony’s thoughts on Juneteenth, and why emancipation for enslaved people in Texas was delayed for two years
• His adorable six-month-old grandson brings him immense joy and light
• His advice to research your own family history and celebrate your heritage

Quotes:“I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams. I am because they were.” “I think it is important, at some point, to think about the legacy you want to leave. And you can't wait until the 11th hour to be thinking about that.”“I'm trying to leave a legacy by representing our Western Heritage and our history in America. Our influence is everywhere, as far as Black people. Our influence is everywhere...we are America. America was built on our backs, built off our knowledge and our wisdom. And history hasn't been accurately taught or portrayed.”“During that 30-year span after the Civil War, the African American soldiers and some of the guys who actually freed slaves...they needed to move cattle out of Texas, and they brought their skills from West Africa on how to get cattle out of the woods.”“You couldn’t call a white wrangler, at the time, a cowboy. That was the name they would call as they're identifying their labor force.”“Then after all the accolades that came about, and Hollywood started making Westerns, and they would use the word cowboy because of the stories - a lot of these stories were from Black cowboys. Like The Lone Ranger - that's based off of a Black man. So it was just how our history hasn't been properly documented or shared.” “The trail ride is to give accolades to the trails that came before us and represent our travels from the great migrations.”“When you go out on the trail, you actually feel the presence of your ancestors.”“I represent our heritage to the fullest.”“Whatever I can do to keep the culture alive and feed it to anybody, I'll do it. And I'll do it without any pay. I do it because I want us to keep our culture - because I want us to know that this is our culture as well. It's not just their culture, it's our culture. It’s our history.”“My grandson's bringing me joy. I have a six-month-old grandson. I light up his life, and he lights up mine.”Links:Joyfully You Life homepageJoyfully You Life InstagramJoyfully You Life FacebookJoyfully You Life TwitterJoyfully You Life linktree