I stand proudly on the shoulders of my ancestors. They were proud farmers and firefighters, bus drivers and secretaries. They marched and boycotted for their rights. They were the first Black people to hold their jobs and paved the way for many to follow. Having these strong figures in my life made centering and amplifying the beauty and brilliance of Black communities a natural part of living and working. So when I found myself creating a career in the outdoors, the convergence of my passions and my heritage have shaped the work of Justice Outside.  

We all know that Communities of Color have been on the front lines of community-driven work to build a better planet. By recognizing and honoring our voices, we can, collectively, transform the environmental movement to prioritize racial justice. My work and the work of Justice Outside creates a stronger and more sustainable future for the movement and the planet by shifting resources to, building power with, and centering the voices and leadership of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The explore-a-thon is our invitation to you, my community, to join me in our commitments to justice and to support me in living up to the rich legacy of change makers that came before me.