What an amazing week! Just got back from Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, the largest outdoor industry show in the country that occurs twice yearly in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In a proud and humble moment for Outdoor Afro, we received the Outdoor Industry Inspiration Award, presented by adidas Outdoor, in the company category pared down by industry vote from over fifty esteemed and well-established organizations, including our rockin’ partner and supporter REI.
Check out the press release here.

I feel the award is shared by all the people who make up the Outdoor Afro community of support, especially the Outdoor Afro Leadership Team who are getting people outdoors around the country to enjoy and conserve the natural world.

OR is the place for manufacturers to demonstrate and sell their newest wares to buyers and retail outlets. It also provides an important forum for education, networking, media, and professional recognition for brands and efforts that are making an impact in innovation, advocacy, and inspiration. For me, it brings so much satisfaction to be with friends old and new to imagine together how we can connect more people to the outdoors.

I also especially enjoyed rallying around the 2013 NOLS Expedition Denali team in a celebration of its new partnership with REI and The North Face,and had a blast with Outdoor Afro sponsors KEEN and Clif Bar!
Check out all our photos:
While brands are important, it’s really about people and relationships. So thanks to Myrian Solis Coronel, Laura Swapp, David Munk, Ryan Mayo, Stacy Bare, Melanie MacInnis, Juan Martinez, Brook Hopper, Caroleigh Pierce, Vanessa Garrison, Charlie Lunan, Chris Fanning, James Mills, and Kyle McDonald who each stood out in their enthusiastic thought partnership, and support of Outdoor Afro’s experience at the show. A fly shout out to new friend Chad Brown of Soul River Runs Deep for providing such a cool jacket for me to rock on the floor – check out the design on the back!

Oh – and look who I ran into on the plane ride back to Oakland – Talib Kweli!

Like I said…an amazing week! And I am re-energized about the fun work ahead!