Episode 5 | Rooted & Relentless: Rue Mapp on Black Joy in Nature with Outdoor Afro

Picture this: You’ve got three young kids in Oakland, you're navigating a divorce, you're back in school—oh, and you're also launching a national movement. Sound impossible? Not for Rue Mapp as  the unstoppable force behind OUTDOOR AFRO, Rue didn’t just build an organization; she sparked a Renaissance that’s reconnecting Black communities with the great outdoors.In this episode, we unpack the often untold history of Black people’s relationship with the land—one of refuge, resilience, and connection. We also tackle the modern barriers that persist and why true sustainability begins with taking care of yourself. Rue gets real about creating welcoming outdoor spaces, using technology as a bridge, and harnessing the power of community through experiences. Plus, we dive into her stunning coffee table book, Nature Swagger—a love letter to the intergenerational joy of Black folks thriving in the outdoors. But this conversation goes beyond hiking or camping. It’s about reclaiming space, rewriting narratives, and remembering that we are nature.So lace up those boots (or just step outside your front door) and tap into what sustains you—because this episode is all about finding your way back to what’s always been yours. https://outdoorafro.orgCompost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows