Courtney Lanctot grew up in Alaska, the ultimate outdoor playground, and yet actively believed Black people didn’t adventure. So she didn’t. Her former life was set around image consulting, then her own web design company in between soul sucking jobs.
In 2016, she was introduced to camping and it created a soft spark. In May of 2018, a friend refused to stay in a cabin while on a road trip because “Black people don’t do those things”, the spark ignited into a phenomenal fire. It began with actively seeking the answers to the history behind this stereotype and narrative of what Black people “don’t do”. Courtney’s adventurous spirit had her buying paddle boards and organizing camping trips within the following two months to lead by example.
The Unpopular Black was created that summer. Her company that focuses on encouraging Black adventure beyond the narratives and stereotypes of what Black people “don’t do” in the outdoors. Her work also includes The National Black Adventure Directory, a Non-profit online directory that provides representation, information, and access to the outdoors and adventure activities. As well as the beginning stages of a docu-series on Black people who have been playing, working, or focusing on the outdoors long before its recent trends of popularity.