
The Grande Frolic: Redefining Black men in nature
Donation protected
My name is Joshua Jean-Baptiste,
Haitian American, writer and director, from Miami Florida. During the lockdown, I made it a point to get outdoors and explore nature in a way I had never before. This changed my perspective, enhanced my mood, and made me realize how connected we all are.
However, I did notice that people who look like me, were rarely out on the trails. I had to know why this was. After some research, I found out way back when - black people and other races were intentionally kept out of greenspaces and the impact still lasts today. Research has shown black people are underrepresented in many natural sciences and outdoor recreational activities.
Thankfully, this is changing. Social media has helped share content from black nature lovers, gardeners, and other natural science accounts. With this rise in interest, there is fertile ground to add to this movement.
This brings us to THE GRANDE FROLIC. After the #blackmenfrolic trend gained popularity, I found myself frolicking in a meadow and was deeply moved by how freeing it felt. I was inspired to create an artistic short film that reimagines black men and their relationship to nature.
The masculine image is often confined to certain aesthetics, this project aims to break the mold. A group of men will frolic in a meadow in a stylized video to highlight the sheer joy it is to be black and in nature.
Partnering with Super Something Productions and Tea Pot LA, this project aims to be the first of a series of videos bringing awareness to how people are kept out of certain spaces and how we can make them more inclusive with art and action.
If you can get behind the vision and you like what you hear check out the video and donate if you can!
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Best,
JJB
Organizer
Joshua Jean-Baptiste
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA