Meet the Brooklyn entrepreneurs changing the face of hiking
Outlandish, located in Crown Heights, was founded by Benje Williams and Ken Bernard, two outdoor enthusiasts who met while working at REI.
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Two Brooklyn entrepreneurs are working to change the face of hiking culture by making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive for people of color.
Outlandish, located in Crown Heights, was founded by Benje Williams and Ken Bernard, two outdoor enthusiasts who met while working at REI.
With monthly hikes through their group, Hikeish, they’re building a community that encourages more people to get outside.
“There’s a prevailing notion that people of color don’t really belong outside… but I think if you go back far enough, there is a real relationship with the land and with nature,” Williams said.
In addition to leading group hikes, Outlandish prioritizes stocking Black-owned and local brands, ensuring that their shop reflects the community they serve.
The store has also partnered with brands like Salomon to provide gear and transportation, removing financial barriers to outdoor recreation.
For Williams and Bernard, it’s about more than just selling equipment, it’s about creating a movement.
“This space exists as much as our community exists in it,” Bernard said.
Their mission is simple: to redefine what it means to be an outdoor enthusiast and to make sure everyone feels like they belong.
