Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. We reconnect Black people to our lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. 

Outdoor Afro’s Volunteer Leader Program (VLP) prepares and supports volunteer leaders to connect and reconnect Black people to nature through planned and guided year-round adventures across the United States. Our competitively selected and trained volunteer leaders share their outdoor expertise, knowledge of civics and history, and love of nature with more than 60,000 people in U.S. communities. Volunteer leaders organize adventures in foraging, fishing, kayaking, gardening, skiing, and other nature activities for our 32 networks located in nearly 60 cities.

Outdoor Afro launched Making Waves during 2019 in response to the alarming number of Black children who drown today tied to the historic prohibition of Black access to beaches and public pools. It is Outdoor Afro’s goal to help every Black child and their caregiver within its sphere of influence learn how to swim. Making Waves also aims to help Black families and Black communities develop a positive relationship with water. To reclaim our legacy and strengthen relationships with water, Outdoor Afro partners with U.S. swim providers to fund lessons in water safety and basic swimming techniques.