Welcome to "The Necessary Disruptor" featuring the Founder & CEO of Outdoor Afro, Rue Mapp. Rue's journey is also one of resilience, passion, and unwavering dedication to breaking down barriers and empowering Black communities to connect with nature.

[2:42] Rue, where did your love for nature and the outdoors come from? My love for the outdoors was instilled in me by my family, particularly my outdoorsman father and sharpshooter mother. Our ranch in Northern California served as our adventure playground and a gathering place for church and family. There, I learned the importance of both nature and community. In 2009, I created Outdoor Afro recognizing the lack of representation of black nature enthusiasts,

[6:28] What were some of the initial challenges you faced in building this nationwide Black outdoor community, and how did you overcome them?Personally, I faced the challenge of creating something entirely new without a blueprint to follow. I adopted an iterative approach, testing ideas and scaling what worked while letting go of what didn't. I also prioritized slow growth over chasing vanity metrics, focusing on building a community organically rather than through paid promotions.

[12:54] How have you been able to grow the Outdoor Afro community and create leadership roles? I established Outdoor Afro leadership team, reaching out on social media to recruit individuals interested in leading outdoor events in their communities. Through training sessions and ongoing support, we've expanded our reach, with leaders now hosting events across the country. Today, our program boasts over 100 leaders.

[17:44] Last year, you introduced several milestones, including your book and an outdoor clothing line. Could you share a bit about each of these achievements? Our long-standing partnership with REI, which began in 2012, proved invaluable. I proposed a bold vision to REI, emphasizing inclusive outdoor fashion. REI fully embraced the concept, providing significant support and collaboration. Our partnership culminated in the successful launch of a 22-piece collection. Additionally, my book, "Nature's Swagger," features stories and images celebrating our community's deep connection with nature, shared by individuals spanning ages nine to 99.

[24:13] How has Outdoor Afro has sustained and scaled its effort through slow and steady growth? There are a lot of people who have passion and visions for something, but do not have the business acumen to sustain and scale their vision. Slow and steady growth through building infrastructure to support operations and taking inventory of skillsets are critical.

[31:10] What are your aspirations for the future of Outdoor Afro and broader diversity in the outdoors? I envision establishing a permanent home for Outdoor Afro, a place where we can practice what we preach and convene. It would be a racism-free outdoor haven by design.

How to connect with Rue Mapp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruemapp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/ruemapp

Websites: https://ruemapp.com / www.outdoorafro.org / www.outdoorafro.inc