A father to these three queens, who during COVID-19 was like many Americans, out of work in the restaurant industry. During our moments together, he takes his daughters out for a bike ride on the sidewalk for some fresh air.

Yesterday I received a message about a meme on travelling south of Poyntz [Avenue], posted in a local Facebook group by a local teacher. South Manhattan has a stigma: of being a place for drugs and poverty — the ghetto. I wasn’t raised in the ghetto, but I know what ghettos are like. Yuma Street is not that. Yuma Street has some of the richest history in Manhattan, Kansas, and I will continue sharing that history. Not being from Kansas, I was informed of this rich history by a colleague, who told me to do my research rather than listen to the rumors. The stories that I will be sharing are from those who call Yuma Street home.

Rather than comment on the lady’s post, which infuriated me all day yesterday, I decided to continue making photographs of the great people south of Manhattan.