Title: Recognizing the 10th anniversary of Outdoor Afro.
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
This resolution supports the recognition of the 10th anniversary of Outdoor Afro (a nationwide network of volunteers who celebrate and inspire African-American connections to nature through recreational activities).
The resolution also commends Outdoor Afro's leadership for changing the face of conservation by leading the way for inclusion in outdoor recreation and nature for all.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 371 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 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 another through recreational activities: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the recognition of the 10th anniversary of 
        Outdoor Afro; and
            (2) commends the leadership of Outdoor Afro for changing 
        the face of conservation by leading the way for inclusion in 
        outdoor recreation and nature for all.
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