Deborah Paul

The Ballad of Eques May Deborah Paul

I stumbled upon Mayisha Akbar for a newspaper story after her Jr. Posse riding outreach was just beginning to take off in the Compton, CA community. She insisted the kids who flocked to her corrals -- which actually spanned a number of neighborhood backyards -- do well in school or they wouldnt be able to help tend her horses. Through Mays equestrian after-school activities the kids learned self esteem, teamwork and horse husbandry. The Compton Jr. Posse still lends their appearance to community parades, exhibits and always leaves observers begging the question: Compton has horses? Akbars motto is: Keeping kids on horses and off the streets. I just admired this woman so much, she had to be epitomized.