Home Place
Who We Are
Outdoor Afro is a national nonprofit that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. For more than 15 years, we have reconnected Black communities to lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. With over 120 trained volunteer leaders across 60 cities, we engage more than 60,000 people annually in meaningful outdoor
experiences. Our programs help shift narratives about who belongs in the outdoors while building a new generation of
environmental stewards. Through initiatives like Making Waves, we also address critical gaps in water safety by providing culturally relevant swim education—serving thousands of participants each year and responding to growing national demand
The Opportunity: Creating a “Home Place”
Outdoor Afro is seeking a permanent property to bring our vision for a Home Place to life—a welcoming retreat and community centered outdoor space designed for gathering, learning, healing, and connection. This project represents an important next step in our evolution: creating a physical space that fully embodies our mission and provides a year-round destination for our national network. We are currently exploring opportunities in partnership with landowners, conservation organizations, and philanthropic partners who share this vision.
Our Vision for Home Place
Home Place will be a space where people can experience nature as a place of belonging, restoration, and joy. Inspired by founder Rue Mapp’s childhood experiences on her family’s land—a vibrant hub of culture, connection, food, and outdoor life—Home Place will extend that spirit to a broader community.
The site will serve as:
- A retreat and gathering space for staff, volunteers, partners, and community members
- A learning environment for outdoor education, conservation, and leadership development
- A healing space rooted in rest, reflection, and “deep hanging out”
- A recreation hub offering activities like hiking, bird-watching, camping, kayaking, fishing, and gardening
Ultimately, Home Place will function as a living platform for our mission—creating lasting memories and expanding access to nature for generations to come.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a property that can support both immediate use and long-term growth.
Ideal opportunities may include:
Location & Access
- Within ~2 hours of a major airport (flexible; open nationally)
- Road access suitable for buses, vans, and personal vehicles
Capacity & Use
- Ability to host 100–150 overnight guests (camping, cabins, platform tents, etc.)
- Space for retreats, workshops, outdoor education, and community gatherings
Land & Recreation
- Significant acreage (ideal: large, contiguous landscape)
- Access to outdoor recreation (on-site or adjacent): hiking, water access, fishing, paddling, etc.
- Opportunities for agriculture, gardening, or food-based programming
Infrastructure
- Turnkey or lightly improved preferred
- Existing or potential infrastructure such as:
- Shared gathering/dining areas
- Bathrooms/showers (or capacity to install)
- Utilities (water, septic, electrical)
- Parking and internal roadways
Additional Considerations
- Flexible or minimal restrictions (including conservation easements, where applicable)
- Potential for partnerships (land trusts, operators, or local stewards)
- Opportunities for sustainable land use or on-site enterprises
Partnership Opportunity
We recognize that opportunities like this often emerge through trusted relationships.
We welcome introductions to:
- Landowners or property stewards
- Conservation organizations and land trusts
- Brokers specializing in large or mission-aligned properties
- Philanthropic or funding partners
- Community partners interested in co-creating or supporting the vision
If a property, connection, or idea comes to mind, we would be grateful to explore it together.
Our Capacity & Commitment
Outdoor Afro brings a strong foundation of support to this project, including:
- A national network of engaged participants and leaders
- Longstanding relationships with donors and institutional partners
- Active support from our board of directors
- Organizational investment through available resources
We are committed to developing Home Place in a way that reflects our values,
sustains the land, and serves the community for years to come.