The Team
Headquartered in Oakland, California, Outdoor Afro’s staff spans the country. With backgrounds ranging from nonprofit, corporate, education, entertainment, agriculture, and finance sectors, our home office team’s unique expertise and experiences work together daily to keep network operations moving year-round.
Rue Mapp
Founder & CEO
Deborah Hayman
Executive Manager to the CEO
Lisa Bourne
Executive Director
DD Johnice
Chief Program & Innovation Officer
Camille Rochester
Operations Director
Candace Dantes
Communications Director
Gina Wright
Program Strategy & Growth Manager
Lauren Kelly
People Operations & Human Resources
Shivanni Maharaj
Development & Grants Assistant
Our Guidance
Outdoor Afro continues to grow in community impact and numbers because of a talented team supported by you. Yes, you! Your investment in our national work is why our network is able to hire the best outdoor enthusiasts and professionals across the United States. All people of different walks of life who are dedicated to our mission of celebrating and inspiring Black connections and leadership in nature. Your generous contributions and time to Outdoor Afro also helps us invest in high-quality training of our volunteer leaders who guide outdoor activities in our local communities. More about the ones who make annual projects, campaigns and programs happen:
Dawn O’Neal, PhD
Tarik Moore
Trey Lord
Morgan McCray
Mike Brune
Melanie Strong
Maria Louise Hekker
Cristina Kinney
Christiane Maertens
Nik Dehejia
Shane Douglas
Ashley Williams