Los Angeles-based Black Girls Trekkin’ is on a mission to provide experiences that inspire Black women to pursue outdoor adventures with confidence. Founded by Tiffany Tharpe and Michelle Warren in 2017, the organization aims to encourage Black women to embrace the outdoors. It also aims to help them establish connections and rekindle a deep-rooted cultural relationship with nature.
“Initially starting as an Instagram page highlighting my hikes and adventures, I noticed a disparity on specifically Black women in the outdoors,” Tharpe said in a recent interview with Travel Noire. “I received DMs from multiple women asking if/when we led group hikes and the idea to take Black Girls Trekkin’ from Instagram to the real world formulated in my head. With the help of my friend and co-founder, Michelle, we led our first hike in November and continued to grow from there, opening up to more outdoor experiences for our community.”
A Growing Community
Tharpe never imagined the community would grow to be as large as it is now. She is grateful to be able to bring women together. In addition, she also connected with numerous other brands and organizations whose mission aligns with that of Black Girls Trekkin’. This allowed her to try activities she never did before.
“I’ve tried many activities that I may not have done before in the past because I didn’t feel it was 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] really warms my heart.”
Breaking Down Stereotypes
Black Girls Trekkin’ is breaking down stereotypes surrounding Black people and the outdoors. Tharpe says the Black community has a deep connection with nature that is tied to ancestral roots. Black Girls Trekkin’ combats misconceptions by contributing to the increase in visible representation. The organization provides access to outdoor experiences, allowing Black people to see others engaging in these activities.
“Black people are tackling the outdoors with pride and dedication,” Tharpe said. “It is the goal of organizations and groups like ours to highlight this and create a safe space for those who want to get involved in outdoor activities.”
How to Get Involved
The majority of Black Girls Trekkin’s hikes and camping trips have been in and around the Los Angeles area. However, the organization hosted its first out-of-state camping trip to Zion National Park in April of this year. The organization also will be celebrating its sixth year anniversary and National Take a Hike Day at Eaton Canyon. The location is where the group hosted its very first hike in 2017. Other upcoming events include a full moon hike in December.
Women who would like to learn more about Black Girls Trekkin’ or join one of their upcoming events can visit www.blackgirlstrekkin.com. They can also stay connected with the organization on Facebook or Instagram.