Outdoor Afro Welcomes 10 New Board Members to Advance Black Leadership in Nature
Media Contact: Lydia Sullivan, Outdoor Afro, Chief Operating Officer, [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Outdoor Afro Welcomes 10 New Board Members to Advance Black Leadership in Nature
OAKLAND, Calif. (January 2025) — Outdoor Afro, the nation’s leading organization where Black people and nature meet, is proud to welcome a cohort of esteemed board members who bring a broad range of expertise, passion, and leadership to its mission. After a highly competitive and collaborative search led by Potrero Group, a national leadership consulting firm, Outdoor Afro is thrilled to announce the addition of ten new board members, expanding its already dynamic board to a total of 19 members who collectively embody the organization’s commitment to amplifying Black joy and connection in the outdoors:
- Ariana Miller, Director, African American Alliance of Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) CEOs
- Benje Williams, Cofounder, Executive Director, Outlandish
- Clifton E. Sorrell Jr, Architecture Department Faculty Instructor, Laney College
- Dan Kihanya, Director of Path Ahead Ventures, REI
- Jil Littlejohn Bostick, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility & Inclusion, Winnebago Industries
- Kasim Carter, Retail Sales Manager, REI
- Kristine Stratton, President and CEO, National Recreation and Park Association
- Lena Irish, Manager, U.S. Support Model, Habitat for Humanity International, Inc.
- Lulu Gephart, Vice President, External Affairs, The Wilderness Society
- Marie President, Regional Med Director/Physician, Dignity Medical Group
“These new board members represent a remarkable blend of skills, experiences, and a deep commitment to advancing Outdoor Afro’s vision,” said Shane Douglas, Outdoor Afro Board Member. “Their collective expertise will guide us as we continue to grow and amplify our impact nationwide.”
The newly appointed board members represent leaders in community development, financial management, nonprofit governance, strategy, healthcare, legal affairs, and outdoor recreation industries. Each individual shares a deep passion for Outdoor Afro’s mission of celebrating and inspiring Black connections and leadership in nature. Collectively, they bring extensive experience in strategic planning, fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement, demonstrating a shared commitment to advancing access in outdoor spaces.
Outdoor Afro continues to scale its impact through its strategic initiatives, including doubling the size of the volunteer-led network, deepening community partnerships, deploying digital tools, and overall fostering Black joy and connection through outdoor education and recreation. The new board members will be pivotal in guiding the organization’s ambitious goals, including financial sustainability, engagement, and programmatic accessibility.
“This is an exciting and transformative time for Outdoor Afro,” said Mike Brune, Board Vice Chair. “We look forward to the contributions of our new board members as we advance a world where everyone can find joy, community, and connection in nature.”
Potrero Group, a leadership consulting firm specializing in board and executive searches, played an integral role in identifying and recruiting the ten exceptional candidates. “These individuals stood out for their strategic insight, leadership expertise, and shared commitment to Outdoor Afro’s mission,” said Cleveland Justis, CEO & Principal at Potrero Group.
“We are honored to welcome these dynamic individuals to our board,” said Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro. “Their unique perspectives and professional acumen will help us strengthen our programs, expand our reach, and create lasting opportunities for Black communities to connect with nature.”
ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO: Outdoor Afro is a national not-for-profit organization reconnecting Black people to nature through recreation, conservation, and education. Our programs inspire leadership and celebrate Black joy in the outdoors, building stronger connections to land, water, and wildlife. Learn more at outdoorafro.org.
ABOUT POTRERO GROUP: Potrero Group is a leadership consulting firm helping changemakers thrive. We provide strategic planning, executive search, and board search services to leaders across sectors who are shaping a better future. Potrero Group invigorates organizations with new perspectives and strategies to ensure our clients stay effective, relevant, and resilient over time. For more information visit potrerogroup.com.
Outdoor Afro seeks new board members
National not-for-profit Outdoor Afro is in search of experienced and innovative board members. The organization seeks those who can provide strategic guidance and strong governance in service of celebrating and inspiring Black connections and leadership in nature. “This is an opportunity for strategic and experienced leaders from all fields to embody their personal love for the outdoors," said Outdoor Afro Founder and CEO Rue Mapp, "embracing the adventurous spirit of Outdoor Afro, our programs, and our board with excitement and integrity." New board members will help support Outdoor Afro’s mission by giving time and resources toward governance, strategy, fundraising, and network-building. As the nation’s leading organization where Black people and nature meet, Outdoor Afro reconnects Black people year-round to land, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Outdoor Afro amplifies Black joy and connection to each other and nature by sharing powerful stories of community-building and leadership outdoors.
The now 15-year organization creates programs that uplift togetherness and collaborates with partners to scale collective impact. Outdoor Afro has made historic and sustainable strides since its founding, achieving 10 times more growth in its last five years. Serving on the board today is an invaluable opportunity to grow the organization’s strategic insight, exemplify best nonprofit governance practices, and build connections for funding, partnerships, and visibility. Board members will leverage personal networks; promote Outdoor Afro’s work; build mutually beneficial partnerships with corporations and community organizations; support and oversee the CEO; ensure a high-functioning governance structure; evaluate the organization’s opportunities and risks; and exercise fiduciary responsibility by ensuring financial accountability.
Outdoor Afro is looking for board members who will advance the strategic pillars from its recently completed strategic plan, including building staff and organizational foundations; strengthening the accessibility of Outdoor Afro’s brand and programs; and maintaining long-term financial sustainability. Outdoor Afro retained Potrero Group, a national strategy and search firm, for this opportunity. While many nonprofits recruit board members through their own personal networks, Potrero Group believes an open board search is a critical chance for organizations to expand their network, raise their visibility, and multiply their impact. Click this link to learn more information about the position and how to apply. Interested candidates should apply by Aug. 19, 2024, for priority consideration. Email Potrero Group Founder and CEO Cleveland Justis at [email protected] to share recommendations.
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 organization. Outdoor Afro’s U.S. networks include nearly 100-plus volunteer leaders who guide nature activities in up to 60 cities with network participation reaching 60,000 people annually. Outdoor Afro reconnects Black people to the outdoors through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Connect with @outdoorafro on social and visit outdoorafro.org to follow our year-round nature narratives.
