Amplify Their Voices: 10 Black Outdoor Advocates to Follow and Support

The past few days have seen a lot of brands issuing statements of support for the Black community amidst on-going George Floyd protests meant to highlight and fight the systemic issue of continued police violence against POC. As a content manager for a #brand, I have really been struggling with what to say right now and how to say it without coming off like a calculated marketer. Then I realized, this ain’t about me.

I know Outdoorsy is a place that deeply cares about the well-being of those whose voices are being silenced, so instead of struggling with what I can say right now, I’d like to just shut up and help Outdoorsy use its platform to amplify the voices of the Black community, especially those fighting for diversity and inclusion in outdoor spaces so near and dear to our hearts.

Learn alongside us as we follow and support these ten Black outdoor advocates and enthusiasts.

1. Melanin Base Camp

Instagram: @melaninbasecamp

Twitter: @melaninbasecamp

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Let’s talk about property damage. On this day in history, May 31 – June 1, 1921, a white mob attacked the black residents of Greenwood District, #Tulsa, Oklahoma – also known as #BlackWallStreet. They used guns, bombs and a civilian aircraft to murder up to 300 people & injure over 800 more. The white mob also burned and looted 35 blocks, causing $32.25 million in property damage and leaving 10,000 black residents homeless. When called on to quell the unrest, the @oklahomanationalguard joined the rioters instead and later conducted mass arrests of black survivors because, you know, racism. And that was the end of the wealthiest black community in America. The Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot (Massacre) of 1921, formed in 1996, determined that the @CityofTulsa, OK had conspired with the rioters to conduct what amounted to a massacre or ethnic cleansing of the city’s black residents. . Tulsa, OK is located on Wazhazhe Maⁿzhaⁿ (Osage), Muscogee (Oklahoma), Caddo and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) land. . . . Tag #MelaninBaseCamp and help us #DiversifyOutdoors!

A post shared by Melanin Base Camp (@melaninbasecamp) on Jun 1, 2020 at 9:23am PDT

2. Latasha Dunston

Instagram: @jitterbug_art

Twitter: @jitterbug_art

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What do you see when you look at me? I am an artist. An explorer. A caregiver. A chef. A video game fanatic. A hiker, camper and tree climber. I am not scary. I am not angry. I am not lesser than. I matter. I am a black woman. I am strong, resilient, beautiful and brave. Like the beautiful Kings and Queens before me, I keep showing up unapologetically and I choose joy. It’s the most radical form of activism in the mist of the world trying to tear you down. Let’s keep up the good fight while still finding a little joy today! #merrell #letsgetoutside #merrellambassador #blackisbeautiful #weareinthistogether

A post shared by Latasha Dunston (@jitterbug_art) on May 29, 2020 at 11:23am PDT

3. Akudo Thandeka Zola Mbali

Instagram: @forrest_in_the_forrest

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Black as Afrika Black is me Brown like soil Brown we be They didn't know that our skin is a glorious gift ~ A reminder of all that has been since the beginning of time. This skin is not just mine ~ just like time ~ it has been gifted to me from my children ~ passed on through generations and generations of world builders, storytellers, souls made from medicine, my family and kin. They may try to bury us but they don't know that we are the soil ~ All that brings life ~ Black and Brown are beautiful ~ Black and Brown is me

A post shared by ?Akudo Thandeka Zola Mbali? (@forrest_in_the_forrest) on May 27, 2020 at 2:09pm PDT

4. Outdoor Afro

Instagram: @outdoorafro

Twitter: @outdoorafro

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Just sending some love. ? Take care of yourselves. Take a moment. Take all of the moments you need. Reconnect to the source of your strength. ?| @chayasmile

A post shared by Outdoor Afro HQ (@outdoorafro) on May 28, 2020 at 7:12pm PDT

5. She Colors Nature

Instagram: @she_colorsnature

Twitter: @scolorsnature

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Nothing I had planned to post even matters this morning. Our country is inherently racist, and the hatred of the past is literally bleeding out in the streets. Somewhere along the road we forgot to raise white children to be adults that know it’s not okay to put your knee into an innocent black mans neck so long and so hard that he dies. Say his name, #GeorgeFloyd. Somewhere along the road we forgot to raise white children to be adults that don’t cry wolf on a black man in the middle of Central Park. Literally theatrically calling out a hit on a mans life. White parents, you are raising the future racist adults of America. You have to do better. How are you going to make sure your kids don’t hunt my kids down in the streets? We have been too busy teaching them not to see color, then when they grown enough to see it, it’s too late. Teach your kids to SEE our COLOR! See it as equal, welcoming, beautiful. I’m too tired to raise hell and call you to action, I don’t need excuses about not knowing what to say. Make noise! Share, create, POST ABOUT THIS IN YOUR FEED. White ears hear best from white mouths. Period. White silence is violence. #shecolorsnature #blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd

A post shared by ᑕᕼEᒪSEᗩ (@she_colorsnature) on May 27, 2020 at 6:46am PDT

6. Lauren, the Outdoorsy Diva

Instagram: @outdoorsydiva

Twitter: @outdoorsy_diva

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Celebrating #BlackBirdersWeek Day 1: #BlackInNature ⠀ For those new followers, welcome! I'm Lauren the creator of Misadventures of an Outdoorsy Diva Blog (outdoorsydiva.com) and host of the Outdoorsy Diva Podcast. It's my passion to inspire black women to embrace nature and outdoor recreation and to break boundaries and dispel the myths of what they say black people do not do. ✊?? #adventureisalifestyle #blacktravelers #wildlifepics #nationalparkpics #naturephotog #vacationdifferently #travelwriter #findyourpark #sunsetpics #blackwomenoutdoors #diversifyoutdoors #shesnotlost #diversityinadventure #melaninbasecamp #takingupspaceoutdoors #wanderluster #wecoloroutside #weouthere #outdoorwomen #waterfallchaser #unlikelyhikers #outdoorafro #blackgirlsoutdoors #natureviews #blackwomenoutdoors

A post shared by Lauren of OutdoorsyDiva.com (@outdoorsydiva) on May 31, 2020 at 8:15am PDT

7. Wild Gina

Instagram: @wildginaa

Twitter: @wildginaa

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Get in, sugaaaa! We are going nowhereeeeeee ✌? (This message was brought to you by #stayhome bc some of y’all in LA are thinking of camping in the eastern sierras and I know it….) Photo: @mayelabarreda, 2019

A post shared by WILD GINA (@wildginaa) on Apr 17, 2020 at 8:38pm PDT

8. Brandi Hikes

Instagram: @brandihikes

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A breath of fresh air… #BrandiOnATrail #Brandihikes #getoutandhike #safely #hikingadventures #hiking #trail #thegreatoutdoors #saturday #getactive #hike #staysafe #views #explore #nature #strapintofreedom #nearbynature #abreathoffreshair #everyonesoutdoors #modernhiker #hikeyourownhike #yourhikeisyours #hikelikeagirl #hikingadventure #adventuretime #wwhmember

A post shared by Brandi S (@brandihikes) on May 30, 2020 at 3:35pm PDT

9. Black Girls Trekkin’

Instagram: @blackgirlstrekkin

Twitter: @blackgirlstrek

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We have hit 10,000 followers!! We are so grateful for all the love and support that has poured in since we started BGT two years ago. It is especially meaningful at a time like this, when many folx in the Black community are feeling tired and angry and exhausted. Just knowing that we have such a loving and supportive community means the world to us. If you don't know us, we're Michelle and Tiffany and we've been friends since high school. We were each other's "Black friend" and it was easy for us to talk about issues we faced with other friends, our families, school, and work. We had an amazing sisterhood in high school that transitioned into college, even though we went to separate colleges in different cities and didn't see each other for a while. Michelle was always someone I knew I could talk to, I knew I could rely on, and I knew I could trust. That was something I wanted others to feel in Black Girls Trekkin. I wanted to create a sisterhood and a safe space for Black women like us, who enjoyed nerding out about the outdoors and getting out on the trails, who wanted to prove stereotypes wrong. We never expected it to become as much of a part of us as it is now. I remember when Michelle texted me when we reached 2,500 followers. We were shocked then and we're shocked now. We appreciate everyone who comes to our hikes and events, DMs us pictures (even though we don't get to post all of them sometimes, we're human and sometimes we get overwhelmed), sends us emails and texts telling us how much they appreciate what we're doing and how they want to work with us. We appreciate all the connections we've made through BGT and the friendships we've built. We have stepped out of our comfort zone so much creating this space and honestly I'm glad we did. It's been a blast. We know we can only grow and improve and we hope that we can continue to have this beautiful community thrive. We know we can only grow and improve and we hope that we can continue to have this beautiful community thrive. Please continue to show your support for us and other organizations in our fight to diversify the outdoors and dismantle the system of oppression that continues to this day.

A post shared by Black Girls Trekkin’ (@blackgirlstrekkin) on May 30, 2020 at 11:28am PDT

10. Teresa Baker

Instagram: @teresabaker11

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We can't be overly concerned right now with being liked, the country is literally burning. ACT NOW DAMMIT.

A post shared by Teresa Baker (@teresabaker11) on Jun 1, 2020 at 8:12am PDT

Want to know how you can help? Check out the Ally Resource Guide or Black Lives Matter for ways to donate, petitions to sign, reps to contact, and more.