Blackwaters Stephenville ~ In the Shadow of a Sundown Town
If you’ve been following the Blackwaters Film Tour online, you’ll know that we recently hosted a screening event in Stephenville, Texas. There, our teammate Jahmicah Dawes and his wife heather operate Slim Pickins Outfitters, the first Black-own outdoor speciality retail store in the U.S. Not far from where Jahmicah studied fashion merchandising at Tarleton State University, the couple has focused their love of vintage clothing, technical apparel, and rugged footwear upon the creation of an establishment that encourages folks in their community to venture outside into the wilds of nature and look good doing it. Located near the center of town Slim Pickins is a shining example of the progress the outdoor recreation industry has made toward becoming more diverse and inclusive. Ironically, their store is located directly across the street from a Confederate memorial.
The primary purpose of the Blackwaters Film Tour is to connect with under-represented communities across the country with limited access to outdoor recreation and public land. At this location we seem to have directly intersected with the historic legacy of racial oppression that has prevented people of color from creating a positive relationship with the natural world though life affirming activities like fly fishing. In an essay posted to the Joy Trip Project website I explore the origins of one our nation’s first formally recognized sundown towns in which Black Americans were restricted from living. But this small establishment called Slim Pickins demonstrates the progress we have made toward better diversity and inclusion in the outdoor industry. Give it a read and let us know what you think!
https://joytripproject.com/2023/10/blackwaters-stephenville-in-the-shadow-of-a-sundown-town
The Blackwaters Film Project was produced in cooperation with the Alaska Wilderness League, The National Park Service and the National Park Conservation Association, with support from Together Outdoors