Diversity In The Outdoors: BIPOC-Led Organizations & BIPOC Hikers Who Inspire Us


The outdoors should be a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable place for everyone, regardless of the color of their skin.

At the 52 Hike Challenge, we are committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity in the outdoors by amplifying the voices of BIPOC leaders in the outdoors. In this blog, we are spotlighting inspirational BIPOC-led outdoor communities and BIPOC hikers. Hear from each organization and individual in their own voices below.

Read on to find out who we're following and what they're doing to create positive change in the outdoor recreation space.

BIPOC-Led Outdoors Organizations For You To Connect With

Diversify Outdoors

"We are a coalition of social media influencers – bloggers, athletes, activists, and entrepreneurs – who share the goal of promoting diversity in outdoor spaces where BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other diverse identities have historically been marginalized and silenced. We are passionate about promoting equity and access to the outdoors for all — that includes being body positive and celebrating different skill levels and abilities."

- Diversify Outdoors

Learn more: https://www.diversifyoutdoors.com/

Connect: @diversifyoutdoors

 

The Outdoor Journal Tour

An incredible movement founded by two BIPOC women and our friends, Kenya and Michelle, the Outdoor Journal Tour's mission is to empower women through mindfulness in the outdoors. They encourage and facilitate introspection and connection. They believe that nature heals. The Outdoor Journal Tour is also the creator of an annual campaign #WeHikeToHeal, which focused on Black Healing this year. We are continually inspired by this amazing organization.

Learn more: https://www.outdoorjournaltour.com/

Connect: @outdoorjournaltour

 

The Conscious Kid

"We are an education, research, and policy organization dedicated to equity and promoting healthy racial identity development in youth. We support organizations, families, and educators in taking action to disrupt racism in young children."

- The Conscious Kid

Learn more: https://www.theconsciouskid.org/

Connect: @theconsciouskid

  

Outdoor Afro - Where Black People & Nature Meet

"We celebrate & inspire Black connections and leadership in nature - tag yourself #OutdoorAfro wherever you are found in nature!"

- Outdoor Afro

Learn more: https://outdoorafro.com/

Connect: @outdoorafro

 

@BrownPeopleCamping

"@BrownPeopleCamping is a social media initiative that utilizes perosnal narratives and digital storytlling to promote greater diversity in our public lands and outdoors community."

- @BrownPeopleCamping

Learn more: https://www.brownpeoplecamping.com/

Connect: @brownpeoplecamping

 

The Indigenous Collective

"The Indigenous Collective is an ongoing video series that collaborates with Indigenous artists, musicians, performers, and storytellers in order to celebrate their creativity and vibrancy of life! Our production team has been travelling across the country, visiting cities and their homeland to conduct interviews, learn about diverse cultures, and capture stories and performances on camera."

- The Indigenous Collective

Learn more: https://www.theindigenouscollective.com/

Connect: https://www.theindigenouscollective.com/contact-us

 

Natives Outdoors

"A Native American Owned Outdoor Apparel & Media Company"

"Our mission is simple: We are in business to empower indigenous communities through our products and storytelling for a sustainable world."

- NativesOutdoors

Learn more: https://natives-outdoors.com/

Connect: @nativesoutdoors

 

Native Women's Wilderness

"Native Women's Wilderness was created to bring Native women together to share our stories, support each other, and learn from one another as we endeavor to explore and celebrate the wilderness and our native lands."

- Native Women's Wilderness

Learn more: https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/

Connect: @nativewomenswilderness

 

Outdoor Asian

"Our mission is to create a diverse and inclusive community of Asian & Pacific Islanders in the outdoors."

- Outdoor Asian

Learn more: https://www.outdoorasian.com/

Connect: @outdoorasian

 

LatinXhikers

"LatinXhikers is a community dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors through digital story-telling and community outreach. What began as an online platform in August 2017 to inspire more people of color to go outdoors has evolved into an ever-growing movement."

- LatinXhikers

Learn more: https://www.latinxhikers.com/

Connect: @latinxhikers

 

Latino Outdoors

"Latino Outdoors is a unique Latinx-led organization working to create a national community of leaders in conservation and outdoor education. As part of this work, we are focused on expanding and amplifying the Latinx experience in the outdoors; providing greater leadership, mentorship, and professional opportunities while serving as a platform for sharing cultural connections and narratives that are often overlooked by the traditional outdoor movement. It is a space for the community to be present, share our voices, and showcase how conservation roots have been ingrained in la cultura Latina for generations."

- Latino Outdoors

Learn more: https://latinooutdoors.org/

Connect: @latinooutdoors


Thank you for choosing to learn from these empowering BIPOC-led organizations that inspire diversity in outdoor spaces. We encourage you to connect with each of the organizations above and follow their movement so you can help promote inclusivity in the outdoors.

Now we'd like to share stories from BIPOC hikers who have inspired us through the outdoors. Keep reading to hear from BIPOC trailblazers who have unique and motivational stories to share.

Hear From Inspiring BIPOC Hikers Who Love To Hit The Trail

Follow: @themirnavator // themirnavator.com

"When I was in elementary school, I had the opportunity to go to sleep away camp. The first night we did a nighttime stream hike. It was terrifying and beautiful, and it sealed within me the need to have this experience of wonder, excitement, fear, and friendship all at once. I was in a group of mostly black and brown kids from NYC and we were stoked to be able to basically play outside, swim, hike, do arts and crafts, run around in the rain, and have community outside of our apartment buildings in the city.  I was lucky to have those moments in which the green outdoors was a space where I felt safe and loved. I want everyone to have an experience like that, where our natural inclination to be among the trees, by the water, or sitting on grass in a neighborhood park can be fulfilled with ease and without stigma."

- Mirna

Follow: @thatrndsttr

"The outdoors saved me. When I am out there, my body and soul are cleansed of all nonsense that the world tries to project onto me. Life has a whole new purpose when I am able to see it through nature’s eyes.
The universe always finds a way to communicate with us, to show us how connected we truly are to everything and everyone. While in (what is now known as) Monument Valley, I learned that Native American soldiers fought in the same battalion as me. Not as one, but in their own segregated platoon, just as the African Americans were. We fight for this country, and still must fight to belong."
- Raymond

Follow: @briannaoutdoors

"As a black gay woman feel it is extremely important to promote diversity outdoors. Exploring the outdoors while hiking has continuously given me uninterrupted joy and happiness. Regardless of how many miles or how easy/hard a hike may be, I’m 100% happy on the trail. There’s so much negativity in this world so I truly appreciate the moments I can get away and just focus on Mother Nature."
Brianna

Follow: @heart_of_kiki
"My life was hard I went through a lot of abuse (physical, mental, and sexual) I was never accepted as I was and it left me alone and isolated for years. My first lake experience was Lake Superior in Duluth. When I saw it I cried I never knew water could be so beautiful or speak so much to me. The state parks came next I enjoy the stillness, the sounds of nature, the smell of fresh pine, the peace I feel in it. There's no judgment there, no one looking at me, just me, my headphones, and me being myself! It's my joy, my song, one of the reasons I enjoy living."
- Lakisha Latham

"My life’s journey has taken me down many paths. Some good and some not so good, again this is all part of the journey of life. Currently I’m embarking on arguably one of the most important parts of my journey, spiritual awakening & detachment. Immersing myself in the outdoors and nature has been fundamental in my process of healing, spiritual reconnect and detachment from worldly concern. The outdoors offers the peace, quiet and solitude which is necessary during this process."
Mark Luebrun 

"“As you can tell, I love being outside! My favorite activities are hiking, diving and surfing. I’m passionate about promoting diversity in these spaces in any way I can. As a Black woman, I sometimes feel underrepresented in the outdoor community. Discrimination, historical trauma, and socioeconomic inequality have limited outdoor access to Black and Indigenous people of color, but we belong here too!! My goal is to continue raising awareness, promoting inclusivity, and supporting my fellow Black adventure enthusiasts”
- Sandi Akinyi

Do you know an individual or organization that should be featured on this page? Leave a comment, and we'll be sure to follow up!

Join Our Inclusive Hiking Community

At the 52 Hike Challenge, we accept people of all colors, backgrounds, ages, genders, and sexual identities, and we would love to have YOU join our community!
 
The #52HikeChallenge begins when you take your first hike (#hike1) and ends 52 weeks later (#hike52), so you can sign up at any time, and you'll never be behind.

2 comments

  • Diversifying the outdoors since 1962.
    Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is the oldest non-profit in the nation dedicated to outdoor education for BIOPC youth. OBA is a pioneer of Transformational Experiential Environmental Education (TEEE). Every OBA course is designed to challenge and empower youth with environmental education that changes their perspective about themselves and their surroundings. In addition to youth environmental education, OBA is dedicated to continued workforce development through the Environmental Restoration Teams (ERT) and Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute (DOLI). These programs codify OBA’s legacy and ensure that careers in conservation are representative of urban communities and people of color. View our website: www.obainc.org

    Camille Dudley
  • Visit us at www.obainc.org
    Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is the oldest non-profit in the nation dedicated to outdoor education for BIPOC youth and families.

    Camille Dudley

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