The Unpopular Black presents:
We Been Out Here
A cinematic docu-series documenting Black presence in the American outdoors
Season 1 Funding Target: $250,000
Now seeking aligned funding partners
About the Series
We Been Out Here is a documentary series centered on Black people whose lives are deeply connected to American land, water, and wilderness.
Each episode follows one individual in their environment. A fisherman in the mountains. A cowgirl and racehorse trainer on her land. A surfer reading the tide. A cyclist retracing ancestral routes. The stories unfold slowly, shaped by place, memory, and lived experience.
The result is intimate, cinematic storytelling that reflects the depth, skill, and presence Black communities have always carried in outdoor spaces.
Why This Work Matters
Outdoor culture is shifting. Black presence is growing, visibly, joyfully, and intentionally.
We Been Out Here celebrates this movement while documenting its depth showing not only the range of ways to exist in the outdoors but the diversity of Blackness.
Season 1 establishes a foundation and builds a bridge between storytelling and social impact; a visual archive that brands can stand behind as part of a larger cultural narrative.
Season 1 Overview
The Discovery Season brought the vision to life on a limited budget. Season 1, fully funded, expands to 8–10 episodes filmed across multiple states, showcasing diverse outdoor experiences through a Black voice.
Each episode includes:
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On-location production and interviews
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Cinematic visuals that center landscape as context and character
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Professional editing, color, and sound
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Distribution across web, social, and community screening activation events
Season 1 is designed as a complete body of work with cultural and institutional longevity.
Audience & Impact
Who This Reaches
We Been Out Here speaks to Black travelers, outdoor participants, and wellness-driven creatives who invest in meaningful experiences and values-aligned storytelling.
This audience is digitally fluent, culturally influential, and deeply responsive to work that reflects lived truth.
Market Context
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Black U.S. leisure travelers spent approximately $145 billion in 2023, accounting for nearly 184 million trips
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Black participation in outdoor recreation grew by nearly 13% year over year, one of the fastest growth rates in the industry
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The global wellness economy now exceeds $2 trillion, driven by demand for experiences rooted in balance, joy, and connection
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Black buying power has surpassed $2.1 trillion, shaping expectations around representation, accountability, and brand alignment
Why This Matters for Partners
Supporting We Been Out Here connects sponsors to an audience that influences culture, sets trends, and rewards brands that invest with intention and integrity.
What Season 1 Funding Supports
Creative Labor
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Director, Producer, and Director of Photography compensation
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Videography and field production support
Post-Production
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Professional editing
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Color correction and sound design
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Archival-quality deliverables suitable for festivals, education, and brand use
Production Infrastructure
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Travel to rural, coastal, and remote locations
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Lodging and per diems that allow the team to work effectively
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Equipment, insurance, and production logistics
Distribution & Visibility
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Marketing and outreach
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Digital release and community screenings
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Assets sponsors can confidently share and stand behind
Season 1 funding ensures the project is produced sustainably, ethically, and at a professional standard.
Season 1 Budget
Total Season 1 Budget: $250,000
This budget covers:
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Completion of 8 to 10 episodes
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Full production and post-production
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Marketing, distribution, and contingency
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Remaining costs associated with the previously produced Discovery Season
Season 1 funding allows the series to stand fully on its own while establishing a strong foundation for future seasons.
Sponsorship and Funding Opportunities
Season 1 is supported through upfront funding commitments.
Opportunities include:
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Episode-level support
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Season-level presenting sponsorship
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Brand, institutional, or foundation partnerships
Each partnership includes clear acknowledgment, thoughtful visibility, and alignment with the project’s values and audience.
A detailed sponsorship and budget overview is available upon request.
About the Creator
Courtney Lanctot is the Founder of The Unpopular Black and The Adventure Directory, platforms dedicated to reshaping narratives around Black life in the American outdoors.
Her work bridges storytelling, consulting, and cultural strategy across the outdoor, travel, and wellness industries. Past collaborators include REI, Columbia, Outside, and Travel Noire. We Been Out Here represents a continuation of years spent documenting stories that have long existed and deserve lasting visibility.
