IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 371 

Recognizing the 10th anniversary of Outdoor Afro. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 9, 2019 

Mr. THOMPSON of California (for himself and Ms. LEE of California) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Natural Resources 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 10th anniversary of Outdoor Afro. 

Whereas Outdoor Afro started as a blog about nature in 

2009 and has grown into a cutting-edge nationwide network with volunteer leaders in 30 States, guiding hundreds of outdoor events each year based on a simple mission to celebrate and inspire African-American connections to nature through recreational activities like camping, hiking, birding, fishing, gardening, skiing, and more; 

Whereas, in the past 10 years, Outdoor Afro, a national nonprofit organization, has cultivated and trained more than 

200 outdoor leaders, leading thousands of outdoor events, 

and reaching well over 150,000 participants; 

Whereas Outdoor Afro has disrupted the false perception that 

African Americans do not have a relationship with nature 

and is inspiring access to the most pristine nature as well 


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as urban nature, including local parks, trails, and open 

spaces; 

Whereas Outdoor Afro not only promotes a healthy lifestyle, 

it also helps communities find healing, connect to Black 

history found in many natural areas, and inspires an increased desire to protect vulnerable public lands for all to 

enjoy; 

Whereas Outdoor Afro has shifted the visual representation 

of who can connect with and lead in the outdoors by offering activities such as hiking, biking, camping, environmental education, conservation stewardship, and more; 

Whereas Outdoor Afro held its first international expedition 

in 2018 to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which was 

widely covered in the media; 

Whereas Outdoor Afro is engaging millions of people through 

digital outreach by reaching 50,000 people per day and 

is changing the narrative of who engages in the outdoors 

by posting thousands of photos and stories; 

Whereas Outdoor Afro’s growing network mostly comprises 

college-educated, civically engaged men and women, many 

who plan and act on behalf of children and senior community members, thereby restoring African-American 

leadership in nature back to the home; 

Whereas more than any other group, African Americans turn 

to Outdoor Afro for advice on where to recreate, which 

outdoor gear to use, and which causes need our greatest 

attention; and 

Whereas 2019 marks the 10th year since Outdoor Afro has 

established itself as a community that supports reconnecting African Americans with natural spaces and one 


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another through recreational activities: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the recognition of the 10th anni3 versary of Outdoor Afro; and 

4 (2) commends the leadership of Outdoor Afro 

5 for changing the face of conservation by leading the 

6 way for inclusion in outdoor recreation and nature 

7 for all. 

Æ 


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