Rue Mapp

I transformed my kitchen table blog into a national nature business and movement. Today, I'm founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro. For more than a decade, the not-for-profit organization has continued to celebrate and inspire Black connections and leadership in nature across the United States. I also became an awarded and inspirational leader, speaker, public lands champion and now published author along the way.

During the pandemic, I decided to document my experiences and celebrate influential people I have connected with throughout my nature journey. Hence, my first national book titled “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors” released with American publisher Chronicle Books fall 2022. This first book for me is filled with visuals and narratives of Black joy in nature. With contributors from age 9 to 99, "Nature Swagger" shares the many ways Black people and Black communities have always connected with the outdoors.

It's amazing to think that by documenting and storytelling my experiences as an outdoorswoman, I became a National Geographic 2019 Fellow, Heinz Awards Honoree, and National Wildlife Federation Communication Award recipient as well. In 2021, I was recognized as an AFAR Travel Vanguard Award recipient, and in 2023, a Bessie Awards finalist in honor of pioneering pilot Bessie Coleman. My love for the outdoors and the nature work I do through Outdoor Afro have even earned international media attention from Oprah Winfrey, The New York Times, Good Morning America, NPR, NBC’s TODAY, Forbes, and Netflix’s popular series “MeatEater” with Steven Rinella.

Follow all my current adventures @RueMapp across social platforms!