Beyond the Black Square: Teresa Baker on Inclusivity Action vs. Rhetoric in the Outdoor Industry

In this episode of Outdoor Unfiltered, Eoin sits down with Teresa Baker, the co-director and co-founder of the Outdoor Diversity Alliance (ODA) and the unofficial queen of outdoor inclusivity, for a transparent look at the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoor industry.Tracing their collaborative roots back to 2018 with the launch of the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge and a fateful 2022 summit at the Patagonia Ventura headquarters, Eoin and Teresa discuss what it takes to build authentic corporate relationships. Modeled originally after the industry action of The Conservation Alliance (TCA), the ODA has rallied an impressive collective of over 23 brands committed to real action—including Burton, Keen, Smartwool, REI, Cirrus, BOA, SIA, Aspen, Bonfire Collective, and the Switchback trade show.This conversation confronts the heavy challenges facing modern brands around inclusiviyt work. Teresa directly addresses the shift from performative corporate gestures to the deep internal work of diversifying corporate boards and staff. Eoin and Teresa unpack why brands are "turtling" in fear of political boycotts, why companies like Brooks Running get authenticity right, and why high-profile outdoor faces need to step up and use their platforms.Unfiltered, urgent, and inspiring, this episode is a call to action to lean into "good trouble," adapt to changing cultural demographics, and rewrite the corporate script to preserve our collective Joy in the Outdoors.Connect With UsWe would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind. You can reach out directly via the following channels:LinkedIn: Connect with our host, Eoin Comerford.Email: Drop us a line at [email protected] SponsorsThis episode of Outdoor Unfiltered is made possible by the incredible support of our industry sponsors:ENDVR — The network that connects brands, retailers, and frontline associates to power sell-through across your wholesale channel.Crux Retail — Creating bold retail displays for bold brands.