10 Black outdoorswomen who nourish our ‘Nature Swagger’
Some are the “first” in their outdoor odysseys. All are fearless in their historical nature experiences. For Women’s History Month 2023, Outdoor Afro wanted to acknowledge a few female inspirations and contributors of new book “Nature Swagger” by Rue Mapp in collaboration with American publisher Chronicle Books. As founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, Mapp has transformed her kitchen table blog into a now national not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Since this year’s monthlong theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” Mapp’s newest coffee table read sets a natural scene to appreciate those wilderness women who have – and still are – strengthening relationships to land, wildlife, and waterways.
“Nature Swagger” published November 2022 and documents original stories, photographs, and spotlights from Outdoor Afro volunteer leaders, related organizations, and prominent Black outdoor influencers Mapp has collaborated with personally and professionally throughout her outdoor industry adventures. “It was important to tell the story of the people and their special places that not only informed my own connection to nature,” said Mapp, “but of the many people I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past decade.” The book elevates the fact that being Black isn’t a singular experience. Instead, reflective of region, age, personal history, and more, said Mapp. “‘Nature Swagger’ includes stories of individuals who anyone can relate to or who might remind us of family and friends. I want readers to be inspired and see nature from many perspectives, thinking broadly of what connections to the outdoors can look like for anyone.”
HARRIET TUBMAN: Tying into Outdoor Afro’s Black History Month 2023 coverage about the Underground Railroad, Tubman became one of the most revered conductors of the well-structured network. The nature navigator guided freedom efforts for hundreds of enslaved men and women in the American South. Yet, her reliance on the outdoors goes deeper than ushering others through dangerous forests. Tubman became a student of those around her – as a former enslaved woman herself. She listened intently to the local maritime workers to gain knowledge about constellations and how these sources could silently map routes to “stations” or safe houses. She was also a naturalist. Her keen desire to seek freedom was her driving force to understand the medicinal properties that various plant species held. She healed wounded Black soldiers – often in the middle of the night – as they fought their way to the other side of enslavement. Today, we honor Tubman not just for her work in helping forge the path to freedom for the ancestors but her interconnectedness outlook to the benefits of nature.
BESSIE COLEMAN: This aviation pioneer soared into history books as the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license in 1921 – and the first Black woman to fly publicly in 1922. Interestingly in the early 20th century, most aircraft featured an open-air design, which provided instant access to the elements. Bessie Coleman once said, “The air is the only place free from prejudices.” Coleman’s history-making journey was far from easy. The Texan-born and Langston University-educated aviatrix was determined to fly despite the naysayers. When no U.S. flight instructor wanted to teach her, Coleman put herself through language school to first learn French then travel to France. It was there that she earned a pilot’s license. Her contributions to aviation landed her into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2006. To start 2023, Mattel honored her with a commemorative doll through its Barbie Inspiring Women Series. Mapp just became a 2023 Bessie Awards finalist as part of global lifestyle brand Wanderful’s annual summit recognizing women impacting the travel industry.
IDA B. WELLS: After losing both parents to yellow fever at age 16, Ida B. Wells’ tenacious spirit safeguarded her and her surviving siblings to live decent lives. From working as a school teacher to becoming a newspaper owner, she always centered Black communities. Credited as one of the main activists and voices during the Women’s Suffrage Movement, Wells made it her business to ensure women were treated fairly. Especially Black women. It even led to her forming Chicago’s Alpha Suffrage Club in 1913. The organization was the main catalyst to pass the Illinois Anti-Suffrage Act. The skilled journalist and researcher fearlessly covered the American South and its lynching culture of Black people. She became a Pulitzer Prize winner 158 years after her death, earning the highest national honor in print journalism "for her outstanding and courageous reporting on the horrific and vicious violence against African Americans during the era of lynching."
SOJOURNER TRUTH: Born Isabella Baumfree, Sojourner Truth was known to many as someone who captured the horrors of enslavement through her profound speech. Her real talent and claim to fame: photography. Her photographs – called carte de visite at the time – depicted everything from her storied life to mid-1800 political leaders and figures. Her photos gained popularity almost instantly. She used the art form to support herself, but the small images also became instrumental in helping to end slavery. Her photos were published in newspapers nationwide to help spread word of slavery’s grisly scenes. Truth’s work sparked deeper conversations and movements around the times. It seemed as though she invented a type of currency that financed her activism. She once said about her cause work, “I sell the shadow to support the substance.” More recently, her name has come into discussions around headshot placement onto one of the U.S. dollar bills. However, that American topic remains a stalemate.
RUE MAPP: An awarded leader, a public lands champion, and a motivational speaker, Rue Mapp started Outdoor Afro as a kitchen table blog and social enterprise in 2009. She incorporated it as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2015. Today, Outdoor Afro includes more than 100 volunteer leaders across the United States who guide a participation network of more than 60,000 people in nature. The modern-day outdoorswoman from Oakland, California, originated Outdoor Afro to celebrate and inspire Black connections and leadership in nature. During the past 14 years, the not-for-profit outfit has changed public perceptions of Black people and Black communities only having pain-and-peril narratives. Instead, Outdoor Afro centers the culture’s Black joy in nature moments. “Nature Swagger” is a continuation of Mapp’s community work in the outdoors by highlighting various storytelling forms and age groups. Along with publishing “Nature Swagger” in 2022, she co-created a hike collection with REI Co-op through her for-profit enterprise Outdoor Afro, Inc. to help solve unmet needs in outdoor apparel. She has earned international attention from media like Oprah Winfrey, The New York Times, Good Morning America, Forbes, and Netflix’s popular series MeatEater with Steven Rinella.
DR. CAROLYN FINNEY: She initially pursued acting as a career choice but was transformed by a five-year backpacking journey through Africa and Asia before she planted new roots in Nepal for a few years. The experience changed Dr. Carolyn Finney’s life so much that she went back to school to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in gender and environmental issues in Kenya and Nepal. A few years later, the now author, storytell, and cultural geographer earned a doctorate to address the inequalities and lack of diversity within environmental organizations and institutions. She often explores why Black people and Black communities are underrepresented in nature, environmental, and outdoor recreation discourse. Her 2014 book “Black Faces, White Spaces” examines this subject. She uses her artistic voice and presence to illustrate these courageous conversations with global audiences.
ANGELOU EZEILO: With good grace, she’s considered an industry disrupter who has spent the past 13 years forging partnerships and creating powerful programming to diversify outdoor-focused organizations and companies. Angelou Ezeilo boldly speaks her truth to break barriers that prevent Black people, Black communities, and Black experiences from inclusion into nature and outdoor industry storylines. Working a lot with young people, she has dedicated her talents to connecting them to conservation-related careers and opportunities. What she started as simply conservation lessons in Gwinnett County, Georgia, elementary schools has now grown into the Greening Youth Foundation. Founded in 2007, the foundation bridges the gap between underrepresented youth and young adults, creating space for newer generations to thrive in state and federal land management sectors.
AKIIMA PRICE: The creative thinker links change-making people, places, and programs with underserved communities. A Washington, D.C., native, Akiima Price is a nationally respected influencer who works at the intersection of social and environmental issues and the relationship between nature and community well-being. She co-founded the Friends of Anacostia Park, an urban national park in D.C. The innovative model focuses on park restoration, nature-based human development, and workforce development in highly stressed communities surrounding the park. Previously serving as an interpretation ranger for the National Park Service at Lake Mead Recreation Area in Colorado, she has cultivated 30 years of experience in cutting-edge best practices around trauma-informed environmentalism. “As a child,” she said, “we moved from an apartment to a suburban townhouse where people were trying to move up and out of public housing. There was a dirt field behind our house, and we played in that dirt field and a sewer tunnel. We saw foam but didn’t know it was waste. We played and caught butterflies.” Today, that landfill is gone. Akiima uses that experience as a reminder and reconnection tool to strengthen community relationships to local parks.
LEAH PENNIMAN: A 2019 James Beard Foundation Leadership Award recipient, Leah Penniman is one of many innovative leaders of the Black farming movement. Although Black agricultural practices are centuries old, the obstacles and racism that Black farmers still face are oftentimes overwhelming to juggle in a now digital economy. Penniman co-founded Soul Fire Farm in New York, which operates in the food justice space within America’s food system. With the goal of reconnecting Black people and Black communities to ancestral lands, Pinniman helps develop programs that train Black farmer cohorts – both domestic and international – on the importance of food equity. Penniman’s work has reached Ghana, Haiti, and Mexico. She has gained support through the Fulbright Program’s Soros Racial Justice Fellowship and even became a recipient of the Pritzker Environmental Genius Award. She penned powerful books on the topic of Black farming, including the 2018 release of “Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land.”
ELAINE LEE: One of the original definitions of a travel influencer, Elaine Lee is a globetrotter, travel writer, and media maven. For decades, her storytelling experiences have taken readers inside destination diaries and colorful articles about Black travel trends, women’s travel issues, solo travel, budget travel, travel planning, and health. In 1997, Lee published classic trek keepsake, “Go Girl: The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and Adventure.” Her book became a recommended read by Essence, Black Enterprise, and Upscale magazines. She has been featured on popular national and local radio and TV shows, including the Travel Channel. Lee also developed the Bay Area’s first travel radio show with travel writing colleague Pamela Michaels in 1999. Her worldwide trips have totaled 61 countries, traveling solo in 1992 and 2004. The “wander” woman continues to fly. More outdoor titles this bibliophile holds: sailor, cyclist, skier, and long-distance swimmer. In these new media times, she shares her travel writing and provides international travel advice through online forum Ugogurl.com.
*Illustrations by Dajah Callen
7 winter wilderness guidelines from our Minnesota leader
Weather conditions fluctuate from rain, sleet, ice, and snow. Now. Add the word “freezing” in front of each element. That just about digests Minnesota’s January and February forecast. And if there’s one person who craves these extremities, it’s Outdoor Afro’s 2022 “Leader of the Year” Stephen Scott. “I personally love Nordic skiing (cross-country skiing) and snowboarding in the winter,” said Scott, 39, who is originally from Texas but has called Minnesota home for the past 10 years. “Our local network likes snow tubing, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing.”
Through Outdoor Afro, Scott typically commits these months to winter activities that introduce his community to cold-weather environments with care. From Feb. 17 to Feb. 20, he hosted a first-time “Intro to Minnesota Winter Wilderness Weekend” in Northern city Ely – tapping into the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness – to teach survival skills and fun hobbies for this habitat. Community participants learned to dogsled, ice fish, and snowshoe. With nearly seven years of Outdoor Afro leadership experience in guiding his neighborhood in nature, Scott offers insight into no-man’s-land adventures during this time of year:
(Outdoor Afro Communications Director Candace Dantes) Q: Why was this network experience worth hosting to start 2023? What were the benefits of taking the time to coordinate and lead this first-ever experience for your community? (Stephen Scott) A: It's an excellent opportunity to try new winter activities and experience the beauty of our national forest. It also creates partnerships within the Ely community (Kes Ebbs, Superior National Forest/Kawishiwi District, Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge, Arrowhead Outdoors) and shares the beauty of the outdoors in the winter.
Q: For those not comfortable with radical winters (like me lol), what’s the appeal of Minnesota? Why is it an ideal staycation or travel destination? A: Beyond the frigid temperatures, Minnesota provides the perfect backdrop for a winter wonderland full of outdoor and indoor exploration. Before visiting in the winter, be sure to pack your layers (base, mid and top), gloves, and favorite hat.
Q: So, what exactly did participants grasp during the wilderness weekend? A: A few different tasks. They learned about the conservation ethics, Minnesota ecosystems, careers in natural resources, and the relationship between recreation and management. For our specific activities, each got to understand the basics of dogsledding (orienting, meeting the dogs, launching a sled); snowshoeing (how to put shoes on and walk in them properly); and ice fishing (how to auger a hole into the ice, bait a hook, and find fish).
Q: From the images our professional photographer Joe Klementovich captured, the network action looked so tantalizing to try. As a seasoned winter wilderness expert, what tips do you have for first-time participants exploring nature in Minnesota during the winter months? A: Definitely dress in layers to maintain your warmth. Bring a warm beverage in an insulated container to stay hydrated. Pack adequate snacks to keep your energy going throughout the day.
Q: Noted. For veteran nature explorers of the area, what’s something new they can learn in this region? A: Understanding the difference between “good” cold and “bad” cold to participate in local adventures. There is a difference. Also, being deliberate about their actions to prevent accidents, and truly knowing weather conditions so you’re prepared in terms of having the right gear and equipment.
Q: Speaking of gear and equipment, what are your must-packs for winter activities in Minnesota? And why these particular items? A: For me: wool base layers to start. These layers allow my body to stay warm but also help remove moisture from my skin. Second, a buff. It's a multifunctional piece preventing drafts around the neck and can easily protect the face from the elements. Third is my windshell, which pierces blowing winds and pulls heat from my core. Fourth, softshell snow pants for movement, protection from snow, and turn into a vent when I get hot. Fifth are, of course, my snow boots to keep my feet warm and dry. Honorable mentions: gloves, a hat, sunglasses or goggles, and hand warmers.
Q: Got it down. Thank you for those “honorable mentions,” too. Lastly, you’re serving as a guide and mentor to fellow Outdoor Afro volunteer leader Christine Meissner this year since she became a recipient like you were of the Polar Explorers Matthew Henson Scholarship. Christine will attend a five-day introduction to a winter travel training course in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. What specifically will you help Christine achieve during this experience? What advice do you have for her before pursuing this scholarship journey?
A: My role as a second-year scholar is to provide Christine support in preparation (gear and questions) for the Polar Shakedown Training – designed to ready scholars for extreme cold-weather expeditions or polar treks. I also joined the Shakedown team to help guide the other scholars. My advice for Christine is to embrace skill-building, camaraderie, views, and temperatures – fully. I hope she will learn about her own personal limits, become deliberate in her actions while being in the cold, understand the different types of coldness, and thrive. Not just survive.
*Click here to learn more about our Outdoor Afro Leadership Training that volunteers like Scott and Meissner participate in annually to develop aptitude to guide their neighborhoods in nature safely and sustainably.
Lisa Bourne appointed first operational executive director
The hardcore cyclist pedals into national not-for-profit Outdoor Afro as its operational executive director – a history-making role for the now 14-year organization. "I'm truly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to assume leadership of the Outdoor Afro organization during this exciting time,” said Lisa Bourne. “Outdoor Afro's mission grounded in Black excellence, education, and leadership resonates with me on the deepest levels.” Bourne’s appointment started Feb. 13 with the Oakland organization after a four-month nationwide search with recruiter Cause Capacity.
In this role, Bourne will support strategic growth efforts and oversee operational efficiency to meet Outdoor Afro’s moment of rapid growth and demands for its programs and staff. Bourne will work in partnership with Outdoor Afro’s Founder and CEO Rue Mapp, key board members, and current staff, serving as an internally facing leader to guide the strategic implementation of best-in-class, not-for-profit operations. With Mapp continuing as the organization’s CEO and spokeswoman, Bourne will construct and manage the necessary infrastructure to enable Outdoor Afro advancements in national programming and network participation across the United States.
“In this ‘Year of Elevation,’ Lisa joins us at the right time,” said Mapp. “We were searching for a passionate and talented executive leader who is also a savvy and proven organizational manager. I truly believe we’ve found the best person for the job.” With a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School, Bourne brings 20 years of progressive experience in corporate, nonprofit, retail, E-commerce, and consulting leadership roles. Prior to this post, Bourne served as senior director of diversity, inclusion, and social impact for Zwift – a virtual cycling and running training app; director of omnichannel marketing for luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman; and vice president of E-commerce, sales, and marketing for Akola Project, Inc.
She also held management positions with brands such as Amazon, Fossil, and The Neiman Marcus Group. An avid cyclist, Bourne inspires and motivates others by riding 3,000-plus miles per year. She has volunteered as a cycling ambassador to drive diversity and inclusivity within the sport. “I'm thrilled to be able to continue to align my passion with my career,” Bourne said, “leveraging my strategic, operational expertise for such a beloved and highly regarded organization." Bourne became the newest hire for the national organization and network.
Outdoor Afro started as a social enterprise for Mapp in 2009. She incorporated the organization in 2015 as a 501(c)(3) and has led the organization since as its CEO. The organization has grown from a one-woman blog and three founding board members to 12 full-time staff and a 13-member Board of Directors. Its operating budget has grown from a modest $110,000 in revenue in 2015 to now more than $2.5 million – largely from foundations, individuals, and corporate partner support. “This position is groundbreaking for Outdoor Afro,” Mapp said. “Lisa will have the ability to help the organization expand our growth and capacity. Her role is the model for how we plan to fulfill our operations for today’s Outdoor Afro experiences and programs.”
ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO: Outdoor Afro is a national not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. What started as a kitchen table blog by Founder and CEO Rue Mapp in 2009 has since grown into a cutting-edge nationwide network with 100-plus volunteer leaders in 60 cities with network participation reaching 60,000 people. Outdoor Afro reconnects Black people with the outdoors through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Follow Outdoor Afro @outdoorafro and outdoorafro.org. Lead photo by Ottilie Quince.
Outdoor Afro travels the Underground Railroad in 2023
Outdoor Afro originates its second year of illustrated storytelling during Black History Month. For 2023, the organization collaborated with digital illustrator Dajah Callen to educate about one of the most well-organized networks by abolitionists to usher enslaved people out of the American South: the Underground Railroad. “Collaborating with Outdoor Afro for this Black History Month project was a natural fit since my work centers emotions and thoughts we sometimes find hard to put into words,” said Callen. “I also enjoy drawing nature.” Virtually visit trails and tours identified by the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program and periodically toured by local Outdoor Afro networks throughout each year.
EXPLORE THIS ILLUSTRATED STORY
Callen’s illustrations depict the freedom train’s allegorical “conductors” who strategically mapped out and commonly led a matrix of “stations” from 1810 to 1850. These stations guided runaways (approximately 100,000) into liberation and provided temporary care. Some stations were shipyards. Others were safe houses (churches, barns, businesses). Modes of transportation used included boats, wagons, and freedom by foot. Harriet Tubman served as one of the railroad’s distinguished conductors. She learned about the secret communications that happened on trade routes and applied the course knowledge. Her leadership as an outdoor navigator and wilderness survival expert earned her the Biblical title of “Black Moses.”
She, along with fellow conductors, operated canals, trails, bays, rivers, ferries, and forests as routes to help enslaved people escape. Tubman is known for guiding more than 13 trips to the South. It’s estimated she freed more than 70 enslaved people, including family and friends. In the spirit of the Underground Railroad’s national reach and mission, Outdoor Afro selects and trains a network of more than 100 volunteer leaders who lead their neighborhoods in nature. With networks in 60 cities and up to 32 states throughout the United States, volunteer leaders guide more than 60,000 people nationwide annually to explore land, water, and wildlife.
Outdoor Afro volunteer leaders help reintroduce local Black history stories like the Underground Railroad. Volunteer leaders serve as community “conductors” while guiding monthly outdoor activities. In addition to scheduling and hosting neighborhood historical tours, leaders use social media to connect and invite community participants to multigenerational experiences in nature. These backyard activations include biking, gardening, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, swimming, and other requested community adventures.
Outdoor Afro National Program Director Chaya Harris sees the digital storytelling series as magnifying Black history in nature, showing that Black people were – and still are – skilled communicators, navigators, merchants, entrepreneurs, farmers, craftspeople, and more: “Outdoor Afro’s networks often take community participants to modern-day tours and trails connected to the Underground Railroad,” said Chaya Harris. “By the end of these historical visits with our network leaders and participants, we’re reminded that a lot of thought, planning, and people went into this ongoing journey toward freedom.”
ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO: Outdoor Afro is a national not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. What started as a kitchen table blog by Founder and CEO Rue Mapp in 2009 has since grown into a cutting-edge nationwide movement with 100-plus volunteer leaders in 60 cities with network participation reaching more than 60,000 people. Outdoor Afro reconnects Black people with the outdoors through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Follow Outdoor Afro at outdoorafro.org and @outdoorafro today.
*Outdoor Afro's Black History Month 2023 illustrated scenes of the Underground Railroad. Artwork by Dajah Callen
Outdoor Afro’s Rue Mapp nominated as Bessie Awards finalist
Global lifestyle brand Wanderful has announced 2023 finalists of its fifth annual Bessie Awards, and this year’s nominees include Outdoor Afro Founder and CEO Rue Mapp. Mapp has been selected as a finalist under the JourneyWoman Award category, a lifetime achievement award for a person who has demonstrated long-term commitment to making the travel industry better. This award is presented in memory of JourneyWoman’s Evelyn Hannon. “It’s truly an incredible honor to be recognized by the community,” said Mapp, whose social enterprise in 2009 called Outdoor Afro is today a national not-for-profit organization. “I’m personally touched by the person this award recognizes – a Black American woman, Bessie Coleman, who not only sought to travel in an era of exquisite and codified boundaries that limited that possibility for women who looked like her, but also had the audacity and tenacity to become a pilot herself. So much of my work stands on the shoulders of Bessie Coleman whose heights I can only try to attain.”
FORMER WINNERS, ATTENDEES VOTE HERE
The Bessie Awards is dedicated to recognizing the achievements and efforts of those who have contributed to and impacted the travel industry. Winners are selected through a popular vote from past WITS attendees and former Bessie Award winners. Voting is now open. WITS will announce this year’s winners at the Bessie Awards ceremony taking place Saturday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. AST at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Mapp is an awarded and inspirational leader, speaker, public lands champion, outdoor gear designer, and published author. The Oakland, California, native established for-profit venture Outdoor Afro, Inc. in 2021 and subsequently launched a 22-piece hike collection with outdoor retailer REI Co-op. Her first national book titled “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors” released with American publisher Chronicle Books during November 2022. That same year in February, she participated in an 18-day Hurtigruten Expeditions voyage to Antarctica. Mapp became a founding member of the group's first-ever Black Traveler Advisory Board. The board is designed to drive change within the entire cruise industry.
Over the years, Mapp has been recognized with many awards and distinctions. She became a 2021 AFAR Travel Vanguard Award recipient, National Geographic 2019 Fellow, Heinz Awards Honoree, and National Wildlife Federation Communication Award recipient (received alongside President Bill Clinton). The White House also invited Mapp to participate in the America’s Great Outdoors Conference, which led to her participation in the launch of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative. Mapp’s career and community impact through Outdoor Afro aims to lift up the natural world and those who connect with it. Her advocacy for conservation continues to earn international media attention, including The New York Times, Good Morning America, NPR, NBC’s TODAY, Forbes, Oprah Winfrey, and “MeatEater” with Steven Rinella.
“I’ve accomplished a lot of life goals,” Mapp said. “For me, it’s always been about a race to the ordinary. I want to get out on my travels and adventures, and see more people who look like me and are represented as strong, beautiful, and free from all over the world. And it's no longer a big deal. The Bessie Awards, created by Wanderful and hosted at the annual Women in Travel Summit (WITS) Travel Creator Summit, honor women and gender diverse people of impact in the travel space – particularly influencers, creative entrepreneurs, marketers, brands, and industry members who have added a compelling voice to the travel industry. “We are absolutely thrilled to recognize such an extraordinary group of creators and brands this year for our fifth annual Bessies,” said Beth Santos, Founder and CEO of Wanderful. “We hope that by showcasing their work we can inspire more builders in the space to contribute their voices to make our travel industry even more thoughtful, inclusive, and meaningful.”
ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO: Outdoor Afro is a national not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. What started as a kitchen table blog by Founder and CEO Rue Mapp in 2009 has since grown into a cutting-edge nationwide movement with 100-plus volunteer leaders in 60 cities with network participation reaching more than 60,000 people. Outdoor Afro reconnects Black people with the outdoors through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Follow Outdoor Afro at outdoorafro.org and @outdoorafro today.
ABOUT WANDERFUL: Wanderful is a global lifestyle brand that specializes in helping all women travel the world. Reaching more than 100 million women worldwide each year, Wanderful connects travelers through a thriving membership community, meetups in 50 global cities, group trips, global events like WITS Travel Creator Summit, and the first major outdoor travel festival for women, Wanderfest. Learn more here.
ABOUT WITS TRAVEL CREATOR SUMMIT: WITS is the premier event for travel’s top marketing talent. Creative entrepreneurs, influencers, DMOs, and industry come together to discuss future innovations, build dynamic collaborations, and change travel worldwide, all while supporting and empowering a dynamic community of women and gender diverse people. Learn more here.
Chaya Harris' winter walking suggestions for Oprah Quarterly
Oprah Quarterly featured Outdoor Afro National Program Director Chaya Harris (CLICK HERE TO READ FULL REPORT) in its January 2023 winter coverage, asking the Boston-based outdoorswoman about the health implications of simply walking in cold weather. The right source to quiz, the former public school educator and now nature traveler's tally of winter excursions include New England ice climbing, ice skating, skiing, cross-country skiing, and snow tubing. In 2022, she and Outdoor Afro Founder and CEO Rue Mapp took an 18-day Hurtigruten Expeditions voyage together to Antarctica. So, Harris is pretty savvy on penguin diction, too. Coupled with her Oprah Quarterly commentary, Harris shares these good-to-know points and health benefits to this hibernal activity:
QUESTION: CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PHYSICAL BENEFITS ONE GAINS FROM WALKING OUTDOORS?
HARRIS: Walking or hiking is such a popular Outdoor Afro nature activity for our networks across the nation. Specifically because of the many health benefits, including muscle development, building a steadier heart rate, and more time outdoors to address any weight concerns we might have. It’s an opportunity to connect our minds and body in a simple fashion. Taking longer strides and engaging the core are easy actions to increase range of motion, flexibility, and coordination while walking in nature as well.
QUESTION: HOW DOES WALKING IN NATURE, OR JUST THE OUTDOORS, IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH?
HARRIS: It really gives space for us to clear our minds — to re-access daily tasks or challenges from a newer (sometimes creative) perspective. There is this notion of seasonal affective disorder that can make us depressed or anxious as the year changes. Walking can become an answer to discovering peace in these times, becoming an effective source for decompressing mentally from major life shifts. I personally find it interesting how setting goals while walking — like a 15-minute neighborhood stroll — can turn into this serotonin accomplishment boost.
QUESTION: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO WALK IN NATURE FOR OVERALL WELL BEING?
HARRIS: In these semi-COVID times, it’s valuable. Working remotely has truly become commonplace for a lot of people, families, and communities. Walking as a form of exercise, self-care, or socializing is vital to adjusting during the pandemic. It’s a rewarding outlet worth taking advantage of for our sanity. It certainly grounds me and allows me to release any tension or stress I’m feeling. Walking equally reminds me of the small wonders in life — the birds chirping or flowers blooming — and making the most of each moment in nature. Dedicating time to walk in my neighborhood also gives me gratitude that I’m able to stay home and appreciate the outdoors in my area.
QUESTION: ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS ONE GETS FROM WALKING IN WINTER DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER OR SCENERY?
HARRIS: For one thing: There’s no mosquitos or other creatures that may typically cause fear or anxiety. I find the winter months as much calmer with quieter locations in nature. Winter walking is easier on the joints if you’re in a snowy region. I love that soft crunch under my feet. With the right layers, you can get a fairly low-impact workout.
QUESTION: CAN YOU SHARE TIPS FOR MAKING WALKING A DAILY ROUTINE?
HARRIS: Literally, write down “walking today” on a Post-it Note. Schedule time in your smartphone. Seriously, make walking part of your personal or work schedule. Don’t be afraid to scout a neighbor or colleague to become your walking buddy. It gives the experience a social element. If no one is available, use the opportunity to listen to your favorite podcast or a new album while in route. Don’t forget: Focus on the enjoyment part of walking. Turn it into a daily routine or an award system to self.
QUESTION: ANY PRACTICAL TIPS OR WALKING-IN-WINTER STRATEGIES TO KEEP IN MIND, SAFETY ISSUES, WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE CLIMATE?
HARRIS: Shop fun, comfortable, and durable footwear. Ones so snug you welcome exploring more in nature or your neighborhood. Layering up in the wintertime is high priority in cold weather. Have your base layer (not cotton if you want to keep sweat away), then your insulating layer (fleece options) and outdoor layer (puffy coat or down jacket). If it’s raining, consider a hard shell jacket. I like full zip-ups as a form of extra protection. Plus, they’re easier to pack up.
QUESTION: ANYTHING ONE CAN DO TO ENHANCE THEIR EXPERIENCE WALKING OUTDOORS/IN NATURE?
HARRIS: Pair walking with other nature activities you enjoy. For instance, bird watching, journaling, or photographing wildlife. Also, try walking throughout the four seasons to keep your scenery in nature interesting and with a fresh perspective on life.
ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO: Outdoor Afro is a national not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. What started as a kitchen table blog by Founder and CEO Rue Mapp in 2009 has since grown into a cutting-edge nationwide network with 100-plus volunteer leaders in 60 cities. “Where Black people and nature meet,” Outdoor Afro reconnects Black people with the outdoors through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Follow us @outdoorafro on social.
Outdoor Retailer elects Outdoor Afro to Homecoming Court
Outdoor Retailer – North America's largest trade show in the outdoor industry – honored Outdoor Afro during its rather “snowy” Snow Show 2023 held Jan. 10 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now back in its longtime home, the three-day show recognized the national not-for-profit organization as a royalty member at the Homecoming Court Party outside of Salt Palace Convention Center. “It’s such an honor to receive this recognition and invitation to participate in this special event,” said Outdoor Afro Founder and CEO Rue Mapp in her 11th participatory year of the trade show, “but I actually owe this show more for helping me learn and grow my business. Outdoor Retailer has also ushered in my newest wave of lifelong friends who share my passion for connecting more people to the outdoors.” However, gusts of wind, rain, and eventually snow ended the party early. The court gathered for a quick photo op before Mother Nature bumped up the coldness.
Local Olympian Gus Kenworthy planned to acknowledge the court’s organizations and individuals making a difference in the outdoor community and industry. Outdoor Afro received the brief recognition alongside five other organizations: Conservation Alliance, Protect Our Winters, Conservation Alliance, Camber Outdoors, and The Outdoorist Oathe. Outdoor Retailer also honored local athlete and advocate Caroline Gleich; local CEO Kaitlin Eskelson; and local organization Save Our Great Salt Lake. “The Homecoming Court symbolizes our welcoming home to Salt Lake City,” said Outdoor Retailer Event Organizer Krista Parry. “We selected local organizations, industry organizations like Outdoor Afro, and national associations for our return to Utah. Rue is a true beacon of joy within this industry.” Mapp followed up the organizational accolade Jan. 11 with Outdoor Retailer’s Community Corners Campfire Chat – a “New at OR” section to the show that connects participants to industry influencers.
Nearly 40 fireside attendees fastened to a stump stool or stood nearby to learn about Mapp’s first book “Nature Swagger.” In collaboration with American publisher Chronicle Books, the project shares authentic stories and original visuals of Black joy in the outdoors. Campfire Chat participants listened as Mapp read about her childhood connection to nature and how those early experiences shaped the Outdoor Afro brand. Attendees traveled Mapp’s journey from developing a national movement through Outdoor Afro to creating universal gear and equipment for any hiking interpretation in nature.
Along with the first-time chat session, the show continued its tradition of introducing a new era of community, leadership, products, services, and fun. Re-establishing in Salt Lake City after a few years in Denver, Colorado, the show’s return to Utah meant a brand-new Outdoor Retailer format: shifted show dates, amplified demos, a leadership conference, and consumer festival welcoming public participation. And the fifth annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards – an always-favorite part of the event. Prior to this particular award, Outdoor Afro won the show’s then 2013 Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Inspiration Awards.
“As a 2013 Inspiration Award recipient, it continues to inspire my work,” Mapp said, “and has helped Outdoor Afro live up to this vision as part of the industry and our nation.” At the trade show, industry experts confirmed business has changed in what’s a $862 billion-dollar outdoor industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Therefore, Outdoor Retailer aims to help platform brands and support the retail ecosystem overall at the right moments throughout each year. “Outdoor Retailer has always been a resource for the outdoor industry,” said Outdoor Retailer Vice President and Show Director Marisa Nicholson in Snow Show 2023 edition of show publication The Daily, “a space for innovation, inspiration, ideas, and advocacy.”
ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO: Outdoor Afro is a national not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. What started as a kitchen table blog by Founder and CEO Rue Mapp in 2009 has since grown into a cutting-edge nationwide network with 100-plus volunteer leaders in 60 cities with network participation reaching 60,000 people. Outdoor Afro reconnects Black people with the outdoors through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Follow Outdoor Afro at outdoorafro.org and @outdoorafro today.
ABOUT OUTDOOR RETAILER: Outdoor Retailer, the leading U.S. business events for the outdoor and winter sports industry, brings together retailers, manufacturers, designers, distributors, industry advocates, journalists, and more to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through commerce, unique product experiences, dedicated media events, content, and web-based business solutions. Outdoor Retailer provides critical platforms for face-to-face commerce, product launches, networking, and focused industry education to enhance business and support the outdoor recreation economy. Visit outdoorretailer.com for more information.