"That's for White people" is a phrase that infuriated Gary Wilkerson, Jr., as a young Black kid wanting to do outdoorsy things, like camping. "Black Outsider" is a new film about his journey to face that warning he has heard since he couldn't understand its meaning.

Wilkerson and his ride-or-die and film co-director Mary Jeanes captured on film their hiking and living along the Pacific Crest Trail for six months. The grueling 2,600-mile trek from Mexico to Canada comes alive for audiences on iTunes and Google Play on September 3. 

To confront his inherited fear, passed down from generations of Black Americans who weren't allowed to explore the outdoors for fear of being killed, is no easy feat – especially for a guy who's never spent a night outside in his life.  As he struggles to navigate the breathtaking wilderness and challenging terrain, show watchers follow his d path to self-discovery, forming unexpected bonds with fellow hikers, and challenging the notion of what happens to Black people in the woods.

The lack of diversity in outdoor recreation has become a hot topic in the White-dominated space for many years. In 2019, for example, more than 50 CEOs of outdoor retailers signed a pledge to work toward diversity and inclusion in the outdoors. However, visitation data to national parks does not include a breakdown by race, so activity numbers by the Census Bureau don't paint the most inclusive picture.

"Black Outsider" challenges cultural norms, experiences, and stereotypes about who belongs in these spaces, promoting diversity and inclusivity in outdoor activities. The movie sends a powerful message that the outdoors is for everyone, regardless of race or background. Overall, such a documentary can contribute to a broader dialogue about race, identity, and inclusivity in outdoor spaces, and help break down barriers that prevent marginalized groups from accessing and enjoying nature.

In Port of Harlem's 2008 cover story on the then National Park Service Ranger and Texas A&M University Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences doctoral student Lavell Merritt, Jr., Dr. Corliss Outley, a professor at Texas A&M's Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences says that many Blacks do not develop the appreciation that Merritt has for the great outdoors because of their experiences with nature as a youth. "My research and the research of others have shown that many young minority children are receiving less exposure to natural wooded outdoor areas than their non-Black counterparts," she said.

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See a Trailer of the Adventure