4 Films Celebrating Black Women In The Outdoors
Behind the scenes Pedal Through: DeJuanae Toliver, Analise Cleopatra and Brooklyn Bell.
These four video projects celebrate Black women and their experiences outside. Each creative film tells a unique and personal story through the lens of diversity and inclusion in the outdoors. With one exception, these films were either produced or directed by women of color, rewriting narratives (and history) from an authentic perspective. (*Becoming Ruby was produced by Patagonia but features original artwork and illustration from Brooklyn Bell.)
This Land
Producer, runner, and advocate Faith E. Briggs questions stereotypes around conservation and what it means to be a public landowner. The film follows Faith as she runs 150 miles through Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante- the national monuments at the center of the public lands debate. With stunning videography and interviews with diverse subjects, This Land delivers a poignant and fresh narrative around access to public lands and the opportunity to more inclusive. Coming soon is Trailhead Podcast, a continuation of the conversations at the intersection of race, environment and the great outdoors.
Becoming Ruby
This is the story of Brooklyn Bell, an artist, professional mountain biker and bonafide skier dissecting the idea of inclusion and Black identity in white spaces. To cope with, often than not, being the only Black athlete, Brooklyn imagined and drew a fictitious rolemodel named Ruby J. Full of style, talent, and unapologetic Black confidence, Ruby inspires Brooklyn to be her true and best self.
Pedal Through
Director Analise Cleopatra dives headfirst into a new challenge: a multi-day mountain bike adventure. Despite never camping or riding a bike off-road, she planned a trip traversing Oregon via bike with an all Black team of women conspirators. Professional mountain biker Brooklyn Bell provided some experience while DeJuanae Toliver, Analise’s best friend and fellow newcomer to the sport, provided emotional support. Analise doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable moments and the film hits all the authentic emotions of growth, frustration, and the elatement of conquering something new.
Textured Waves
Textured Waves is a group of Black Women working to “propagate the culture and sport of women’s surfing towards women of color and underrepresented demographics through representation, community, and sisterly camaraderie.” The film was produced by The Gnar Gnar Honeys, a creative collective amplifying diversity and representation behind and in front of the lens. This group of BIPOC women unearth compelling stories with high production value content.