Based in Los Angeles, Black Girls Trekkin’ is on a mission to provide experiences that empower Black women to pursue outdoor adventures with confidence. Founded in 2017 by Tiffany Tharp and Michelle Warren, the organization aims to encourage Black women to get outdoors. It also aims to help them build connections and rekindle their deeply rooted cultural relationship with nature.
“While it originally started as an Instagram page to share my hikes and adventures, I realized the disparities for Black women, especially in the outdoors,” Tharp said in a recent interview with Travel Noir. “I received DMs from multiple women asking if and when I led group hikes, and the idea of taking the Black Girls Trek from Instagram to the real world began to form in my head. With the help of my friend and co-founder Michelle, we led our first hike in November and have continued to grow from there, offering even more outdoor experiences to our community. ”
Tharp never imagined the community would become as large as it is now. She is grateful to be able to bring women together. Additionally, she has also connected with many other brands and organizations that align with her Black Girls Trekkin’ mission. This allowed her to try activities she had never done before.
“I’ve tried a lot of activities that I might not have done before because I didn’t feel like they were something I could do,” she said. “I’m creating that space for people like me who wanted something like this in the past but didn’t have it. [It] It really warms my heart. ”
break the stereotype
Black Girls Trekkin’ breaks down stereotypes about black people and the outdoors. Tharp said the black community has a deep connection to nature tied to its ancestral roots. Black Girls Trekkin’ fights misconceptions by contributing to increased visible representation. The organization provides access to outdoor experiences and allows Black people to see others participating in these activities.
“Black people approach the outdoors with pride and dedication,” Tharp said. “The goal of organizations and groups like ours is to highlight this and create a safe space for people who want to participate in outdoor activities.”
way to participate
The majority of Black Girls Trekkin’s hiking and camping trips take place around Los Angeles. But the organization hosted its first out-of-state camping trip to Zion National Park in April of this year. The organization also plans to celebrate its 6th anniversary and National Hiking Day at Eaton Canyon. This location is where the group held her first hike in 2017. Upcoming events include a full moon hike in December.
For women interested in learning more about Black Girls Trekking or joining us for upcoming events, please visit here. www.blackgirlstrekkin.com. It also allows you to stay connected to your organization. Facebook or Instagram.
