York was a Black man and a vital member of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery. A frontiersman, hunter, naturalist, and likely the first African American to cross the continent, York’s courage, strength, and knowledge of the natural world were integral contributions to the expedition.

As a living history interpreter, Hasan has breathed life into the stories of Civil War Soldier: Angus Augustus Burleigh and Boxing Legend: Joe Louis. But the most meaningful project of his career has been the journey of bringing the story of York—the only Black team member of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition—to life. This work has spanned almost three decades and taken many forms: a one-man theatrical performance (researched, written, and performed by Hasan), a published children’s book, and most recently, the ongoing Big Medicine: York Outdoors Project with the National Park Services including the soon to be released documentary Big Medicine: York Outdoors, a film that invites communities across the nation to reckon with whose story gets remembered, who’s presence gets honored, and why.

I’m most proud of the spaces I’ve helped build — where people who’ve been counted out see themselves in the story of York and think, “If he did that, maybe I can too.”