Until my August 6 birthday, I/we encourage you to get outside, explore, experience radiant joy, and find ways to authentically connect with the outdoors, each other, and Justice Outside. On my birthday, I'll be personally matching every dollar donated.

I grew up roaming around the neighborhood forest and fields with friends, biking to and from on trails around town, and camping & hiking across the country on family vacations. The outdoors felt comfortable and relaxing. The same cannot always be said for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC).

I didn't know or consider at the time that this comfort and relaxation was because I was always welcomed. No one ever questioned my presence or asked where I was from, even when I hopped a fence or wandered around a campground. No one ever threatened me or called the police. Almost everyone around me, from Boy Scout leaders to park visitors to park rangers, were White. The same can unfortunately be said today. People of color represent 42% of the U.S. population but less than 20% of National Parks staff and only 23% of the visitors.

What would the outdoors feel like if everyone was welcomed, and participation - from recreation to work - represented the world we live in?

I want to be part of that solution and it's why I joined the Board of Justice Outside to work on creating equitable access, participation, and leadership in the outdoors.

As a black woman led non-profit, Justice Outside's work encompasses multiple approaches that all aim toward our ultimate goal: systems change. We are building a network of individuals, institutions, and communities taking collective action to build a more just and sustainable outdoor movement. We realize this work in three ways:

> Strategic programs. Our programs provide access and elevate youth into career pathways in the outdoors. Our Outdoor Educators Institute is a transformative three-month career development training cohort for young leaders interested in outdoor education. The Rising Leaders Fellowship supports the continued racial equity commitment of individuals in entry- to mid-level positions within the environmental sector.

> Grantmaking. Traditional philanthropy continues to miss the mark with only 0.6% of funding going to women of color led organizations. Justice Outside grantees are rooted within their communities, with the lived experience they need to understand what approaches will work the best for their communities. We support leaders of color to design and lead the types of joyful outdoor experiences and environmental efforts that are most meaningful to them and their communities. Last year, we added 52 new BIPOC led grantees and provided over $1 Million in supporting their local work, as well as providing capacity building and relatioship support to obtain even more from traditional philanthropy.

> Field leadership. We embrace our leadership role in the field of outdoor education and programming. We continue to convene the field around critical issues like cultural relevancy, the link between health and outdoor access, as well as building the next generation of environmental advocates. Last year, our Organizational Trainings helped 43 outdoor and environmental organizations across 13 states advance anti-racism within their own ranks through consulting and individualized coaching sessions.

Your support means that we can grow.

Join me this summer in supporting Explore-A-Thon, Justice Outside's annual summer campaign to raise funds for our racial justice work and celebrate BIPOC joy in the outdoors! We know that when People of Color explore the outdoors and take up space, while connecting to natural spaces and each other, it is a radical act. Explore-A-Thon is our annual reminder of the things we are fighting so deeply for.