When James Dowell started running in 2019, he soon noticed that the running community in Charlottesville skewed white. Not wanting to be the only Black person running in the city’s streets, he knew change was needed.
That same year, Dowell, along with Wes Bellamy and William Jones III, created Prolyfyck Run Crew, a Black-led running group that’s building a community for Black runners in Charlottesville.
In the beginning, the Prolyfyck founders invited their friends to run with them. Dowell said only 10 people would show up each time, but that changed once the COVID-19 pandemic started. People needed an excuse to be outdoors, Dowell said, and once Prolyfyck restarted their runs, the group grew “tremendously.”
Now, dozens of runners and walkers of various ages and backgrounds show up around 6 a.m. at the Jefferson School of African American Heritage parking lot every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to run or walk four miles. The group runs through predominantly Black neighborhoods in the city, such as 10th & Page and Fifeville, said Dowell.
“There’s joy in seeing other folks approach something that they aren’t typically exposed to as children, or through peers and family members,” said Dowell. “So to see that shift in five years of us creating this space for folks to feel seen and comfortable enough to do something that’s uncomfortable, that brings joy within itself.”
Prolyfyck is not alone in recognizing and trying to address this need. Research shows that there are many health disparities affecting Black Americans that can be prevented or mediated by physical activity, including diabetes, hypertension and obesity, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Yet, safety concerns coupled with fear of racial profiling in predominantly white neighborhoods can often make Black people hesitant to run or walk outdoors.
Prolyfyck has partnered with two other outdoor groups to co-host “Everybody Outside: Finding Joy and Belonging in the Outdoors” on Jan. 25, an event focused on outdoor inclusion, as part of the University of Virginia’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s Community Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. Alison Désir, the author of “Running While Black” and founder of the Black running group Harlem Run, will be the keynote speaker. Black Girls Hike RVA, a Richmond-based hiking group for women of color that was co-founded by Nicole Boyd and Shara Cade, also will co-host the event.
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“Everybody Outside: Finding Joy and Belonging in the Outdoors” is an event that focuses on creating space for Black people in outdoor activities. The event will feature a conversation with Alison Désir, author “Running While Black,” James Dowell of Prolyfyck Run Crew and Nicole Boyd and Shara Cade of Black Girls Hike RVA at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 25 at the Irving Theater at the CODE Building at 240 W. Main St. Désir also will sign copies of her book. Lunch will be provided at no cost. If you are interested in attending, you can register here. The event originally included a two-mile walk on the Rivanna Trail that had to be postponed due to icy trail conditions. The hike will be rescheduled for the spring.
Each of the three groups center their missions around the same goal – getting more Black people involved in outdoor activities, particularly hiking, running and walking.
Like Dowell, when Désir first started running in 2011, she rarely saw people who looked like her, she said. In her book, she recounts her journey from running as a hobby to becoming an advocate for more Black people in the running community. And, while running provided her mental and physical health benefits, her book describes how she learned to navigate certain routes to avoid potential confrontations as a Black woman.
“There’s also very real fear and danger of what happens when you go to places people don’t anticipate seeing you or don’t want you,” Désir told Charlottesville Tomorrow in a recent interview.
The desire for inclusion inspired Désir to start Harlem Run in 2013. Since Désir started her work, she has noticed a gradual rise in Black people in running. But the numbers are still low, she said.
“Black people are still disproportionately represented in the outdoor industry,” said Désir. “There’s been an increase, but not to the extent of nearing equity when it comes to running outdoors.”
Boyd, Cade and Dowell were similarly moved to start their own activity groups.
“It’s been amazing to lead Black and brown women of all ages and backgrounds on hikes whether it’s her first time or her fiftieth time hiking,” said Boyd and Cade in an email. “Being together, supporting each other and sharing our stories has been incredible.”
Dowell says he hopes people who attend “Everybody Outside” will leave Saturday’s program with the determination — and courage — to pursue outdoor activities on their own.
“I’m excited for the audience to hear these voices — specifically from Black women — and how to navigate the difficulties they’re hit with when in the outdoors,” Dowell said.
Editors’ note: This article was updated on Jan. 24, 2025, to update information related to the planned Jan. 25 event. The event originally included a two-mile walk on the Rivanna Trail that had to be postponed due to hazardous trail conditions. The rest of the event will take place as planned.
