This Shirt Has Our Back! Oaklandish T-Shirts Will Go on Many Missions with Outdoor Afro!

The Outdoor Afro 2017 Leadership Team
The Outdoor Afro 2017 Leadership Team

The  other day at  Outdoor Afro headquarters we chatted about getting the best deal for office and promotional items. One staff member suggested we compare prices and shop online, but I was quickly reminded how local economies depend on people buying locally. And this is one big reason why working with Oaklandish to produce the Outdoor Afro leadership t-shirt has always felt like the right decision!
Kriste from Denver Rockin' Oaklandish
Kriste from Denver Rockin' Oaklandish

As a not-for-profit organization, based out of my hometown of Oakland, it’s been terrific to work with the supportive staff of Oaklandish who not only produce great quality t-shirts and other gear, but also show appreciation for not-for-profits with a generous grant program.
The result is we were able to affordably pass on that Oakland business love on to our national leadership team training last month, where we hosted over 60 men and women near Washington, D.C., who use these shirts as their uniform and banner that celebrates and inspires African Americans in nature across nearly 30 states!
By now, most of our leaders have had a chance to use their shirts in action! And we had a chance to hear time and again that the style we selected is a hit! Along with looking snazzy, and photographing well, the Oaklandish t-shirts have also been comfortable for leaders to wear for all their outdoor adventures.

"This year's leader tees may be the best we've ever had! Soft and comfy, and even though it's cotton, it moves moisture well. An important benefit for all that leaders do!"  Beky, 6th year leader, NC

Thanks Oaklandish for helping us fulfill our mission with style!
For more information about Oaklandish, visit their website, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, then pay a visit to their downtown Oakland store!


So You Say You Can't Camp? Go RVing and KOA have You Covered!

Ziplining at KOA
Ziplining

Visiting KOA last month since our last time five years ago felt like returning home. On a Friday afternoon, my family and I wound our way south down Interstate 5 from our home in northern California through the green rolling hills -- the gateway of KOA Ventura Ranch --  a beautiful, welcoming sight!
Some of you may recall, the RV experiences we had back in 2012 changed our minds about how and who could RV. Growing up, I recall how much my aunt Sherry and uncle Herman loved to take their bus-sized vehicle on the road, careful to stop at places with options to camp and go fishing. My other Aunt Dee Dee and uncle Al loved to pile the youth of the church into her cabover RV and stage “staycations” at local parks and playgrounds where we would play until exhaustion, return to the RV for food and refreshments, then head right back out again.
Today’s RV experience looks both the same, and different -- and I am fortunate to have the chance now as the mother of three older children to explore more RV options than ever before that make it easy for anyone to enjoy the outdoors and create lasting family memories.
For the uninitiated, KOA’s are private parks that remain a nationwide answer for camping accommodations for all types of campers. You can bring a tent to pitch, bring your own RV, or stay in a ‘park model’ as we did again at Ventura Ranch. Park models look remarkably like a sturdy cabin, with all the amenities you could ever want to experience the camping lifestyle.  A real bed; electricity, temperature control, bathroom, and full kitchen for making your own meals are a great sell to folks who swear they would never camp. In case you were wondering, park models actually get to be classified as RVs because they have wheels underneath that make them wholly portable!
Comfort and Style
Comfort and Style

Our beautiful cabin with a private bedroom!
Spacious Interior

But I have to admit that some of the most fun of RVing is connecting with other families. RV parks always feel like a pop-up community where people look out for one another and are quick to say “hello!” We met some amazing people upon arriving Friday evening over a delicious welcoming meal. I found we all had in common a shared a passion for the outdoors and family, and ended our evening enjoying time around the fire talking and making s’mores.
Enjoying S'mores!
Enjoying S'mores!

Making the perfect marshmallow
The Perfect Marshmallow

After a wonderful night of rest in a comfy bed, it was a delight to wake up to the comical sound of the resident male peacocks in full breeding plumage, strutting and squawking to impress!
Gorgeous Peacock
Gorgeous Peacock

After breakfast, my teens participated in rocket building and T-shirt tie-dyeing then looked forward to the afternoon activities that included a re-do of the jumping pillow, climbing wall, and zip line from when they were younger. I enjoyed discovering the many improvements and additions to the property that now includes a beautiful, resort-style swimming area perfect for those hot summer months. In the evening, we campers enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner by that pool, followed by night hiking in search of the legendary ‘Big Foot’ led by KOA staff under the glow of our flashlights and the stars.
T-Shirt Tie Dying

 
Flexing those muscles rock climbing!
Rock Climbing

One of the biggest highlights of my trip was rest! As an active working mom, who spends a fair amount of time on the road,  there are too few moments to retreat from packed daily schedules and routines, and quite frankly, sometimes ‘roughing it’ camping with kids can feel like more work than fun. So KOA is a great place where you can find a good balance between pre-planned activities led by staff, and relaxation you can do at your own pace!
A Moment of Rest
A Moment of Rest

As we prepared to leave Sunday morning (with more jaunty peacocks serenading our cabin), we were grateful to the Go RVing and KOA team who threw down on a delicious hot breakfast of biblical piles of bacon and waffles and shared hugs goodbye with new friends.
Until we will meet again KOA!
Thanks to Ventura Ranch KOA, and Go RVing for hosting another delightful and memorable weekend my family will treasure always!
To learn more about KOA’s around the country visit their website!  To plan an adventure of your own, visit Go RVing for info on how to get started, how to choose the RV that's right for you, where to go and so much more!
Photos by Jeff Crider & Rue Mapp


Our Statement Regarding the National Monuments & Antiquities Act

Bears Ears
Bears Ears - Photo: Utah Public Radio

President Obama made land conservation a priority under his administration and, in the process, educated millions about the importance of preserving wilderness. His stewardship was part of a long legacy of African Americans who have loved, cared for and protected American soil.
To that end, leaders of the Outdoor Industry, including our CEO and Founder, Rue Mapp, spent time in Washington D.C. last week speaking to congress and the administration around the importance of protecting your public lands.
As many of you have heard, the current administration recently signed an executive order calling for a review of about 30 national monuments over 100,000 acres since 1996.
We want our community to be informed and empowered advocates to protect public lands with policymakers in Washington D.C., as well as in their states, counties, cities, and towns.
We also wanted to take a moment and share with you what we believe as it relates to our public lands:

  • We encourage national, regional & local leaders to protect America’s public lands & waters, including recreational opportunities & the jobs they support.
  • We defend the protection of sacred public lands and the communities that depend on them.
  • We recognize the need to protect wildlife and their habitats as part of a healthy human ecosystem, while also supporting lawful and sustainable hunting and fishing practices.

We encourage you to learn more about this by checking out these resources:

Finally, take a minute and watch this video by our partner, REI
#UnitedOutside #MonumentsForAll

https://www.facebook.com/REI/videos/10155245608841484/


Introducing the 2017 Outdoor Afro Leadership Team!

In its Sixth Year, the Outdoor Afro Leadership Team Grows to 65 Leaders and Expands to 27 states.

Since it was founded in 2011, the Outdoor Afro Leadership Team has brought together volunteers that embody the promise and passion to write a new and different narrative about Black engagement in the outdoors.   The 2017 Leadership Team unites teachers, lawyers, tech sector consultants, artists, business owners, culinary experts, nonprofit professionals, G-men and women, parents, grandparents, gardeners, kayakers, backpackers, climbers, snowboarders,  swimmers, campers, mountain bikers, and picnic lovers committed to ensuring that African Americans enjoy all of the benefits of nature.
To date,  Outdoor Afro has recruited, trained and connected more than 100 Black outdoor leaders from cities around the country. In 2017, we are proud to be expanding to new cities including Birmingham, Honolulu, and Detroit.
In April 2017, the Leadership Team will take part in the annual training at National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.  In addition, our leaders will hike history in Harpers Ferry National Park and acquire skills to steward relationships between Black communities and their green spaces.
Outdoor Afro is deeply grateful to our sponsors including REI, KEEN Footwear, Klean Kanteen,  ColumbiaGo RvingNational Wildlife Federation – California, The North Face, Osprey,  US Fish and Wildlife Service and Yakima.

Outdoor Afro Team Leadership

 

Zoë Polk

Outdoor Afro National
Program Director
6th Year Leader
San Francisco, CA

Matt Reese

Outdoor Afro
Partnership Director
3rd Year Leader
Seattle, WA

Yanira Castro

Outdoor Afro
Communications Director
2nd Year Leader
Charlotte, NC

 

2017-2018 Outdoor Afro Regional Leads

 

Beky Branagan

Regional Lead West
6th Year Leader
Cary, NC

Brittany Leavitt

Regional Lead Northeast
3rd Year Leader
Baltimore, MD

Ray Smith

Regional Lead South
2nd Year Leader
Washington, DC

Duane Williams

Regional Lead South
2nd Year Leader
Washington, DC

 

2017 Outdoor Afro Leadership Team Roster

 

Alabama

 

Olivia Affuso

1st Year Leader
Birmingham, AL

Kellie Clark

1st Year Leader
Birmingham, AL

 

California

 

Lakeisha Brooks

1st Year Leader
Oakland, CA

Moleek Busby

1st Year Leader
Oakland, CA

Ivan Guillory

2nd Year Leader
Los Angeles, CA

Julius Crowe Hampton

2nd Year Leader
Oakland, CA

Zoë Polk

6th Year Leader
San Francisco, CA

Cliff Sorrell

6th Year Leader
Hercules, CA

Nina Thiebert

3rd Year Leader
Oakland, CA

Jennetta Thomas

1st Year Leader
Los Angeles, CA

 

Colorado

 

Kriste Peoples

2nd Year Leader
Denver, CO

Roz Silva

2nd Year Leader
Boulder, CO

Jalen Bazile

2nd Year Leader
Florissant, CO

 

Connecticut

 

Mercy Quaye

1st Year Leader
New Haven, CT

 

Florida

 

James Little

2nd Year Leader
Jacksonville, FL

Ta-Shana Taylor

2nd Year Leader
Miami, FL

Mayowa Ogunjobi

1st Year Leader
Tallahassee, Florida

Yanique Richards

1st Year Leader
Lakeworth, FL

 

Georgia

 

Tammy Shakur

2nd Year Leader
Atlanta, GA

Wandi Steward

3rd Year Leader
Columbus, GA

 

Illinois

 

Christine Meissner

1st Year Leader
Chicago, IL

Val Morrow

2nd Year Leader
Oak Park, IL

 

Hawaii

 

Rachel Collier

1st Year Leader
Honolulu, HI

 

Kentucky

 

Alicia Hurle

2nd Year Leader
Louisville, KY

Gerry James

1st Year Leader
Frankfurt, KY

 

Maryland

 

Monette Bailey

1st Year Leader
Baltimore, MD

Brittany Leavitt

3rd Year Leader
Baltimore, MD

Melody Mckinley

2nd Year Leader
Baltimore, MD

 

Massachusetts

 

Chaya Harris

2nd Year Leader
Baltimore, MD

 

Michigan

 

Alexis Adams-Wynn

1st Year Leader
Detroit, MI

Patrice Lopez-Smith

1st Year
Leader Detroit, MI

 

Minnesota

 

Alora Jones

2nd Year Leader Minneapolis, MN

Greg Shuck

2nd Year Leader
St. Paul, MN

Stephen Scott

2nd Year Leader Minneapolis, MN

 

Missouri

 

Anthony Beasley

1st Year Leader
St. Louis, MO

Duane Williams

3rd Year Leader
St. Louis, MO

 

New Jersey

 

Kasim Carter

1st Year Leader
Montclair, NJ

 

New Mexico

 

Ariel Elliot

1st Year Leader
Albuquerque, NM

Leandra Taylor

1st Year Leader
Albuquerque, NM

 

Nevada

 

Satara Cooley

1st Year Leader
Las Vegas, NV

Toyya Mahoney

2nd Year Leader
Las Vegas, NV

 

New York

 

Katina Grays

2nd Year Leader
New York, NY

 

North Carolina

 

Cheryl Baker

1st Year Leader
Charlotte, NC

Beky Branagan

6th Year Leader
Cary, NC

Yanira Castro

2nd Year Leader
Charlotte, NC

 

Ohio

 

Kimberly Smith-Woodford

2nd Year Leader
Cleveland, OH

 

Pennsylvania

 

Keenan Corrigan

1st Year Leader
Philadelphia, PA

Tarik Moore

1st Year Leader
Lewisburg, PA

Miriah Royal

1st Year Leader
Lewisburg, PA

Paul Starling

1st Year Leader
Philadelphia, PA

 

South Carolina

 

Adrienne Troy Frazier

3rd Year Leader
Charleston, SC

Mel Murdock

1st Year Leader
Charleston, SC

 

Texas

 

Olatunde Gbolahan

2nd Year Leader
Austin, TX

Tiffany Stoker

1st Year Leader
Dallas, TX

Starla Simmons

2nd Year Leader
Austin, TX

 

Virginia

 

Leah Young

2nd Year Leader
Fairfax, VA

 

Washington

 

Karimah Knowles

2nd Year Leader
Seattle, WA

Matt Reese

3rd Year Leader
Seattle, WA

 

Washington D.C.

 

Charles Taylor

3rd Year Leader
Washington, DC


Ray Smith
3rd Year Leader
Washington, DC

 

Wisconsin

 

Cheryl Mitchell

2nd Year Leader
Milwaukee, WI

 

Would you like to invest in Relevant, Community-based Outdoor Leadership? Click Here to Make a Tax Deductible Donation to Our Work!


Outdoor Afro is Hiring! – Oakland, CA

Title: Donor and Project Experience Coordinator
Type: Part-time, administrative
Location: Oakland, California
Application Window:  Open until filled

leaders2

What is Outdoor Afro?
Outdoor Afro uses innovation and entrepreneurial insight to engage African-Americans of all ages in empowering experiences in the outdoors by dismantling seemingly intractable social and cultural barriers. Our dynamic approach has attracted a variety of partnerships and resources, spurring consistent growth that has enabled us to become a national influencer in outdoor recreation.
Founded from a blog in 2009, Outdoor Afro has since built a national community and leadership team across 26 states that has helped us to advance social and policy imperatives to transform African-Americans’ relationship with nature, and cultivate an ethic and practice of conservation.
With both staff and volunteers, we have built strong momentum toward developing greater reach, more key partnerships, and solid revenue streams.
Visit: https://outdoorafro.com or @outdoorafro across all social media platforms to learn more.
Primary Purpose of Position
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Donor and Project Experience Coordinator is responsible for providing administrative and project specific support for the organization, fundraising, and development efforts. This position also works closely with the executive assistant, donors, contractors, and community partners.
Position Responsibilities

  • Participate in fund development efforts through conducting donor research, sending donor acknowledgements, and other duties as assigned
  • Coordinate events and other meetings including invitations, venue, and catering; manage event materials and supplies; conduct purchasing and organizing
  • Provide administrative support for the office as well as program initiatives
  • Coordinate participation data, such as gathering data from MeetUp to get participation numbers to the Outdoor Afro Leadership Director; and administer participation surveys for grants
  • Contribute creative and thoughtful input and revisions on programing, materials, and other directed communications
  • Perform special projects and other duties as assigned

Essential Experience

  • Associate’s Degree or equivalent experience in an office or project management environment
  • Personal experience, enthusiasm, and comfort with a variety of outdoor/nature experiences
  • Intermediate to advanced Google Drive, Microsoft Office Suite skills (especially MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)

Desired Skills

  • Nonprofit/business development at an associate level or comparable fundraising experience
  • Knowledge of local and national funders and granting organizations
  • Knowledge of social media platforms and best practices
  • Detail focused with excellent organization and calendar management skills
  • Ability to manage multiple projects within deadlines
  • Strong writing and verbal communication skills
  • Friendly, courteous, energetic, and a positive ‘can-do’ attitude
  • Creative and self motivated

Other Requirements

  • California Driver’s license
  • Ability to lift up to 40 pounds

Availability: This is a part-time, flexible, hourly position (maximum 30 hrs a week) hours will vary, include some travel, and availability on evenings and/or weekends for special events is expected.
Location: Oakland, California, Uptown District — located near many public transportation options.
Compensation: Commensurate with experience.
Email resume and references to: [email protected]
Please note that no resumes will be reviewed or accepted via LinkedIn, or Facebook inbox
Outdoor Afro is an equal opportunity employer. The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.


Environmental Justice: An Appreciation of Thurgood Marshall’s Outdoor Legacy

"During some of the darkest times in our nation’s history, when rights were denied, lives were threatened and African Americans knew they could not turn to their government for help, calls would go out to the NAACP. When the answer came, the words whispered in homes, churches and communities were enough to calm fears, lift despair, assuage anger and give enough hope to hold on a bit longer: “Thurgood’s coming.” 

Stephanie J. Jones

 

By National Program Director Zoë Polk

Fifty years ago, Thurgood Marshall began his service as the first African American Supreme Court Justice. His appointment came after a breath of work devoted to dismantling the separate but equal doctrine. While his legacy is most often put in the context of school desegregation, police misconduct and voting rights, Thurgood Marshall also played a central role in enforcing African Americans’ right to #BlackJoy in the outdoors.

Separate But Equal
Marshall and his famous legal mentor Charles Houston were the primary architects of the legal strategy to end government enforcement of separate but equal policies. In Brown v. Board of Education, Marshall, at the time the Legal Director of the NAACP, argued that it is vital to the country and to the world that the Court affirm that Black children are not a danger to white children. He reminded the Court that the evidence of this fact is in outdoor recreation:
“Kids in Virginia and South Carolina…they play in the streets together, they play on their farms together, they go down the road together, they separate to go to school, they come out of school and play ball together. They have to be separated in school.” -Thurgood Marshall, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1953.
Marshall argued that separate but equal policies’ sole purpose was to keep the descendants of slaves as close to slavery as possible. Based on this rationale, the Court struck down school segregation. Marshall’s strategy was later employed by civil rights lawyers and community activists around the country to challenge separate but equal policies in swimming pools, parks, beaches, picnic sites and campgrounds.

Black Land Ownership
Before he became a Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall argued and won Mcghee v. Sipes (see Shelley v. Kraemer.) This case made restrictive covenants based on race in land deeds unenforceable. Before this case, African Americans saved hard earned money to invest into the American Dream of buying houses with a backyard where they could watch their children play safely. At the time, Black people were signing land deeds and later told that the sale was invalid. If they refused to leave, white neighbors could rely on the government to help forcibly remove them and had no recourse. Many Black people had their houses vandalized, bombed and their families terrorized until they left the neighborhood.
While the widespread use of racially restrictive covenants continued after the Supreme Court victory, white land owners could not leverage the government to enforce them. Moreover, the success of this case indicated to Marshall and the NAACP that Jim Crow’s days were numbered.
It also paved the way for Black Americans to become land owners and create wealth that could be passed down to future generations.

Outdoor Afro uplifts and honors Black History every day of the year. Since 2017 marks the 50th Anniversary of Thurgood Marshall’s historic appointment to the Supreme Court, we are spending this February reflecting on his impact in our work. Across the country, Outdoor Afro leaders from Boston to Charleston to St. Louis to Bay Area California, will lead nature walks, snow shoe events, and hikes in public parks that were once segregated. We will invite discussions on the impact that Justice Marshall had on our own families’ neighborhood mobility and land ownership. We will talk to our parents, grandparents and elders about how they experienced public lands during Jim Crow and in the early days of desegregation.
We will hold space and gratitude for Thurgood Marshall.


#RiseUpwithOutdoorAfro Inauguration Weekend

On January 20-22, 2017, join Outdoor Afro as We Find Resilience in Nature

By National Program Director Zoë Polk
Some of our favorite musicians, poets, and activists remind us to look to nature for lessons on how to rise in the face of tough conditions.

“You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”
Maya Angelou

These lyrics, quotes and speeches serve as sources of inspiration and restoration on our journeys.

“You are not judged from the height you have risen, but from the depth you have climbed.”
Frederick Douglas

In the quiet of nature, we sing their words to ourselves and are instantly connected to our world.

“Rise up this mornin’
Smiled with the risin’ sun
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true”
Bob Marley

Most importantly, we understand that to #RiseUp is a daily practice.  And that nature provides infinite examples of how this act sustains life.

“And I’ll rise up
High like the waves
I’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
I’ll rise up.”
Andre Day

On January 20, Outdoor Afro, in solidarity with communities across the world, will reflect on President Barack Obama’s legacy, and in particular, his 8 years of environmental stewardship.  During his tenure, Obama has created or expanded 24 National Monuments, including Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument, Pullman Porter National Monument, the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument  and the Charles Young Buffalo Soldier National Monument. He has protected 550 million acres during his time in office, covering more acreage than any other president.
As his presidency ends, we acknowledge that there is some wilderness ahead. We invite you to join us as we enter this new territory in the same way that we approach every wild space: relying on Black history as our compass, singing Nature Freedom Songs, nurturing seeds of hope, coming into bloom together, and reaching for the sunlight.

“Inauguration” is defined as the beginning or introduction of system, policy or period. It can take the form of a ceremony launching the start of something. On January 20-22, 2017, Outdoor Afro will hold ceremony in nature. We invite you to #RiseUp with us and take action in the following ways:

1. Visit a National Monuments designated by President Obama, honoring his legacy as an environmental steward.
2. Take a family friendly Healing Hike, including  beach walks, sunrise hikes, and snowshoes among winter blooms, focusing on what nature teaches us about resilience
3. Spend the entire day in the wilderness-  climbing to mountaintops, seeing the forest for the trees, and laying down your burden down by the riverside

January 20-22, 2017 Get Outside with OutdoorAfro Leaders nationwide.  Gather your family and friends and share your experience using #RiseUpWithOutdoorAfro on Facebook,  Twitter, and Instagram!