ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO

Our Mission

Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Our national not-for-profit organization reconnects Black people to our lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Some examples of Outdoor Afro’s year-round activities range from fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, gardening, skiing, and more.

It started as a kitchen table blog…

Founder and CEO Rue Mapp created Outdoor Afro in her hometown of Oakland, California, during 2009. Today, it's the nation’s leading organization where Black people and nature meet.

Meet Rue

By The Numbers

60K

participation
network

60+

cities across the country
the organization impacts

1200+

online and
in-person events

32

states with local networks,
including Washington, D.C.

100+

selected and trained
volunteer leaders nationwide

4

our regions, which include the
Midwest, Northeast, South, and West