A co-worker asked if I’ll blog about climbing Kilimanjaro, and I thought, Oh yeah, my blog!
On June 15th, 13 Outdoor Afros will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro on the first all black supported trek. There are 11 Outdoor Afro leaders and 2 expert guides from across the US. Not only do I get to hike with these amazing people, I also get to serve as one of he leaders!
Follow #OAClimbsKili on social media for more.
A Saturday morning with a hangover turned into a perfect culinary experience in Portland, ME. Of course there was a wait in the small, inn-like Bayside American Cafe, but the 20 minutes went quickl
y with help yourself water and coffee, and friendly staff joking about the fun everyone seemed to have Friday night. Once my boyfriend and IĀ were seated by ourselves upstairs at the breakfast bar, our server knew just what we needed: Rocket Fuel. A sweetened espresso reduction blended with fresh milk, Jameson’s and topped with whipped cream.
Our hangover slump melted into giggling and sliding out of seats.
Even though the menu is extensive, we easily chose the Crabcake Eggs Benedict and the corned-beef hash (we never pass up an opportunity for hash). This is what hash should be – meat chunks and potato hunks that are well-seasoned with salt, pepper and herbs.Holy hash!
We knew we’d be satisfied, but then the crabcakes took us into another world. Or, perhaps it was the made from scratch Bloody Mary’s that had hints of cocktail sauce that had us reeling.
The crabcakes were perfect – almost all crab! Fresh, flavorful, no filler, yet the cakes stayed neatly on the english muffins. It was impressive. Our bill totaled around $70 for three dishes (four palm-sized crabcakes) and four large drinks – it would’ve been probably $100 here in Boston. By the end of our experience, we had recovered enough to head to Portland Head Light.
That title might sound like an oxymoron, or maybe you’re expecting 3 loose facts, but it’s here!! New England is filled with our stories and contributions. The National Park Service’s Black Heritage Trail is one of the places where I learned more.
We started at the 54th Regiment Memorial on Beacon Street, across the State House, which chronologically ends the Trail’s story. One thousand, one hundred black men enlisted in the Union Army, knowing the already harrowing challenges of the Civil War as well as the unequal, unfair conditions in the army. In addition to American history, we learned about the unique sculpture as well; the angelic features, bronze details and how the artist, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, was one of the first to accurately (and positively) depict black people.
From there, we set out to various significant buildings, including:
The Hayden House was perhaps the most memorable; he was like the Samuel Jackson of the 1800’s! When slave catchers showed up to his house, he greeted them with a shotgun and dynamite.
The trail stopsĀ at the Museum of African American History, which has a great video, informative and eager staff, and some cool and reasonably priced items in their gift shop I haven’t seen, like African American activity books for kids. Of course, I grabbed some bookmarks for my students and a few duplicates of Douglass’ and Dr. King’s speeches.
Unfortunately, the Museum is too small to do justice to our history here in Boston, just like the Trail itself. I applaud the city and NPS for designating this Trail, but it should all be part of the more-frequented Freedom Trail. When I last toured the Freedom Trail, our history was only mentioned in the form of Crispus Attucks and a brief Robert Morris nod. I hope to see our civic leaders promote more of OURĀ history that Boston’s history.
Check out moreĀ Boston NPS toursĀ , like Bunker Hill, Charlestown Navy Yard and Fanueil Hall
Boston’s first Outdoor Afro event at the Arnold Arboretum! Loved the group’s enthusiasm, knowledge and sharing ideas for future events and garnering support around the city. Looking forward to our next event, an urban hike on the Black Heritage Trail. Check out our Facebook Page, Outdoor Afro- Boston, and our MeetUp group to stay informed.
With Outdoor Afro, you can bring your complete self. You don’t have to leave any part of yourself at the door.
Last weekend, I was wiping tears away as Rue Mapp, founder and creator of Outdoor Afro, brought our training to a close. I was chosen to part of an inspiring, diverse and supportive group with at least one shared interest – the outdoors – and I felt completely welcomed. However, as Rue finished her conclusion, I had to pull myself together! It was time to show off for the pinning ceremony and soul train line.
I had an amazing time connecting, discovering and growing with 65 men and women from across the country for about three days in Yosemite National Park. I was training to be a leader here in Boston, but the conference was even deeper than practicing skills.
First, my roommate is named Viva. How cool is that? She started Outdoor Afro in Chicago a few years ago, and was so patient and thorough with all of my questions. Later, I was blown away as I talked with environmental scientists, lawyers, educators, IT specialists, parents, PhD students, yoga instructors, and entrepreneurs who looked like me! Or as the policy director Autumn said, talking to a room full of black nerds.
It was like a rush to be surrounded by so many people who pursue their passions and uplift others along the way.Ā To experience such welcome and support during the training was just overwhelming.
I’ll be writing more about events and Outdoor Afro monthly. For now, I’ll end with one of my favorite moments from the weekend (of course it’s hard to choose) and check out my photos on Facebook.
Saturday afternoon. It was damp, raining off and on with a chilly breeze moving in, yet the 25 Afros and I were all smiles as we walked down a winding path into Tuolumne (too-all-uh-me) Grove to see a few giant sequoia trees. After about a quarter of a mile, I was quietly trying to take in a 150-foot moss covered tree, looking ahead through the mist and breathing in the pine.
Chris (Durham, NC) walked up next to me and said, “I feel like I’m in Harry Potter leaving Hogwarts.” I already knew I was right where I needed to be, and that was just the honey in the hive.
Very excited to be accepted into Outdoor Afro, a national organization of outdoor enthusiasts who work to reconnect people of color with green spaces. Not only do I get to combine my career in education with my hobbies, I will also promote wellness in our community, too! Looking forward to learning with other Afros, getting outside with a broader purpose and exploring new places!
Check out the 2016 Leadership team, read about other events and follow on Facebook and Twitter.
Riding around in a jeep through Kruger Park sounds relaxing, right? Wrong! In addition to fighting the cold and wind, (it took me three weeks to process that South Africa can be colder than Boston) you are constantly straining your eyes for wildlife. Woe is me, I know. But it really was surprising how well animals are able to blend in with their habitats, even in the dynamic and changing environments.
This giraffe was sauntering through the recently burned growth. It’s amazing how it can go from healthy grasslands to this area with some reasonable camouflage.
Before rounding the bend, only our guides couldĀ see this guy.
This pack of lions was about 75 yards away form the road. I would’ve drove right by them!
Might be hard to see this guy, but he can hear you…
Even zebra stripes matched some parts of the dry forest.
All photos taken at Kruger Park in July 2015.
Open Eyes, Open Mind, Open Heart 