Author
Field Mag
Photograph by Cliford Mervil
This list is seasonally updated and ever evolving. Help us highlight more outdoorists—email suggestions to hello @ fieldmag dot com. Thank you!
Representation in the outdoors is hugely important. And severely lacking. One of the absolute easiest ways to help change this is to follow and support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) athletes, advocates, artists, and general enthusiasts within the outdoor space.
The detriments of a homogenous outdoor culture are clear. A lack of visibility can lead to a lack of understanding of and empathy for different people and different cultures. This rings true for the company you keep, the media you consume, and the accounts you follow on social. Exclusively showing white people (usually white men) participating in outdoor activities promotes a false narrative of what a competent “outdoorsman” looks like, while also perpetuating stigmas in underrepresented communities that nature is not for them.
On the other hand, seeing people of different backgrounds enjoy the same activities that you identify with can help erode implicit biases and strengthen a sense of community through shared interest. It also, hopefully, invites you to see “your” sport from an alternate perspective.
To help all nature-lovers identify more athletes and adventurers of color to follow and support on social media we've crowd sourced the following list of influential outdoorists, which is updated seasonally.
The following are 100+ BIPOC artists, adventurers, campers, climbers, cyclists, hikers, and other notable outdoor lovers to follow right now. Curated by Field Mag editors, contributors, and Luisa Jeffery aka @youdidnotsleepthere.
Jump to section:
- General Outdoors
- Outdoor Photography
- Hiking & Running
- Climbing
- Cycling
- Surfing
- Snow Sports
- Outdoorsy Art
- Vanlife
- Outdoor Media
Also check out: 60+ Black, Indigenous & POC Outdoor Collectives to Support
Influential BIPOC Outdoorists
- Cherisa | @switchbackshawty
- Georgina Miranda | @gg_miranda | Mountaineer, Entrepenuer & Founder of She Ventures
- Jason Ward | @jasonwardny | Birding
- Jaylyn Gough | @jaylyn.gough | Founder of Native Womens Wilderness
- Jordan Richardson | @jrichjunior
- Joshua Walker | @joshyoutrippin | Travel Blogger & Podcaster
- Judith | @sadorawellness | Wilderness Therapy
- Juju Milay | @jujumil | Founder of Colour the Trails
- Karen Ramos | @naturechola | Sustainability & DEI
- Kena Peay | @kenapeay
- Kimberly Lajoi | @k.lajoi
- Kori | @korialexis | Outdoor Therapy
- Lauren Mitchell | @laurenmitchell | Solo Traveler
- Leah Thomas | @greengirlleah | Intersectional Environmentalism
- Maricela Rosales | @lemarci | @latinooutdoors Ambassador
- Marinel M. De Jesus | @browngaltrekker | Lawyer, Human Rights Advocate, Founder of The Porter Voice Collective
- Miesha Dennis | @browngirl_outdoorworld | Founder of She Said What She Said
- Myia Antone | @alohamyia
- Phil Lewis | @philliplewis_ | @arcteryxseattle Ambassador
- Rashad Frazier | @rashad.e.frazier | Founder of Camp Yoshi
- Ron Griswell | @rongriswell
- Shanice "Sol" | @sol.flower
- Shon't Savage | @thatgirlshont | Board Member of Adventure Mamas
- Sika Henry | @sikahenry | Triathlete
- Tawny Newsome | @trondynewman | Actor & Musician
- Teresa Baker | @teresabaker11 | Environmental Justice Activist, Founder of the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge and African American Nature & Parks Experience
- Tori | @torigoesoutside | Founder of Paddle Like a Girl
BIPOC Outdoor Photographers
- Cliford Mervil | @cliford.mervil | Photographer
- Elijah Burton | @eliyyahu_ | Photographer
- Eric Arce | @pedalhomie | Photographer & Mtb
- Evan Green | @thegreenevan | Photographer & Full Circle Everest Summit Member
- Felipe Tapia Nordenflycht | @flipesh | Photographer
- Gabriella Angotti-Jones | @ga.briella | Photographer & Surfer
- Gina Danza | @wildgina | Photographer
- Jake Tovar | @motvdjake | Photographer
- L.R. Blount | @urbanclimbr | Photographer & Climber
- Paulina Dao | @paulinadao | Photographer
- Ranz Kalamaulaokalani Navarro | @ranznav | Photographer
- Stan Evans | @stanevansphoto | Photographer
BIPOC in Hiking & Running
- Alexis | @lassosafroworld | Hiker
- Alison Désir | @alisonmdesir | Runner
- Irene Ogeto | @blackhikingqueen | Hiking
- Brianna | @briannaoutdoors | Hiker
- Chelsea | @she_colorsnature | Hiker
- Filsan | @runnersinstinct | Runner
- Gabaccia | @gabaccia | Hiker, Backpacker
- Justin Tucker | @trailheadjustin | Thru-Hiker
- Knox Robinson | @firstrun | Runner, Writer & Coach
- Latoya Shauntay Snell | @iamlshauntay | Ultrarunner
- Mirna Valerio | @themirnavator | Runner & Author
- Nadia Gonzales | @irongirlnadia | Youngest Latina to run 100 Marathons
- Sarah Attar | @sarahattar | Runner & Artist
- Shilletha C | @iamdragonsky | Hiker & Thru-Hiker
- Sobo Lemon | @sobo_lemon | Thru-Hiker
- The Blackalachian | @blackalachian | Thru-Hiker
- Tyler “The Prodigy” Lau | @hikingprodigy | Thru-Hiker
- Will “Akuna” Robinson | @akunahikes | Thru-Hiker, First Black man to complete the Triple Crown (PCT, CDT, AT) & Army Vet
BIPOC Climbers of Note
- Akudo Thandeka Zola Mbali | @forrestinthe_forrest
- Ariel Sam | @whoisleira | Film Photographer
- Ashima Shiraishi | @ashimashiraishi
- Bella Rojas | @bellabellarojas
- Brittany Leavitt | @bleavitt8 | @OutdoorAfro Leader & @BrownGirlsClimb Regional Director
- Evan Gills | @black_sherpa
- Fred Campbell | @fred_climbs
- Hiram Trejo | @hhhhiram
- Kai Lightner | @kailightner
- Mélise Marie | @meliseymo | Founder M.U.S.E Mentorship
- Nina Williams | @sheneenagins
- Phil Henderson | @phil_henderson | Climbing Coach & Full Circle Everest Summit Lead
- Raheim Robinson | @rahrobinson | Actor
- Sabrina Chapman | @sabrinachapman80
- Sasha | @nibblekit | @BrownGirlsClimb Leader
- Savannah McCauley | @sj_mccauley | Photographer
- Shelma Jun | @shelmatic | Filmmaker & Founder of Flash Foxy
- Summer | @summerseeking
BIPOC Cyclists of Influence
- Anita Naidu | @abrownpanther | MTB
- Ayesha Rosena Anna McGowan | @ayesuppose | Road
- Cory Williams | @nationsnumber1beast | Road
- Eliot Jackson | @eliotjackson | MTB
- Justin Williams | @juswilliamz Road | Founder of L39ion of Los Angeles cycling team
- Kaz Yamamura | @kazyamamura | MTB & Photography
- Rachel Olzer | @rachel.olzer | Founder Pedal 2 the People
- Tracy | @tronlives | MTB
BIPOC Surfers of Influence
- Chrissana W. | @sandycurlz
- Catherine Mao | @catherinemaocatherinemao
- Farmata Dia | @farmy_ | NYC Surfer & Model
- Kaniela Stewart | @kani_tsunami
- Mikey February | @mikeyfebruary
- Momo Taro | @mr peach | Founder of Queer Surf Collective Benny's Club
- Nique Miller | @nique_miller
- Ryan Harris | @ryharrisshapes | Surfboard Shaper
Influential BIPOC Skiers & Snowboarders
- Austin Montreil Leonard | @theburrrprint | Fly Fisher & Snowboarder
- Austin Hironaka | @hironakasan | Snowboarder & Hot Rod-er
- Brolin Mawejje | @thabyronma | Snowboarder
- Chelsea Waddell | @waddellchelsea | Snowboarder
- Dennis Ranalter | @dennisranalter | Skier
- Emilé Zynobia | @curlsinthewild | Snowboarder & Writer
- Gabrielle Maiden | @gabbymaiden Snowboarder & Actor
- Jake Mageau | @m1sta_mango | Skier
- Markus Fohr | @markusfohr | Skier
- Russell Winfield | @misterwinfield | Snowboarder
- Ryan Hudson | @rhudsonsb | Snowboarder
- Vasu Sojitra | @vasu_sojitra | Skier & Disability Access Activist
- Zebulon Powell | @zebpowelll | Snowboarder
BIPOC Outdoorsy Artists
- Brooklyn Bell | @badgal_brooky | Mountain Biker & Skier
- Christopher | @plantkween | Horticulture
- Karen Ceballos | @kawrenceballos | Illustrator
- Latasha Dunston | @jitterbug_art | Art
BIPOC Vanlife
- Jupiter | @doesthiscountasvanlife | DIY
- Dustin + Naomi | @irietoaurora | Founders of @diversify.vanlife
- Laura Edmondson | @laura.edmondson | Climbing
- Nat & Aby | @letsplayrideandseek | Founders of @vanlifepride
BIPOC in Outdoor Media
- Bob Myaing | @corkgrips | Writer, Cyclist, Expert Breadmaker
- Brandy Brooks | @brandybrookswrites | Writer
- Courtney Lanctot | @theunpopularblack | Blogger
- Derick Lugo | @dericklugo | Author of The Unlikely Thru-Hiker
- Dudley Edmondson | @sonycamera2016 | Author & Photographer
- Gloria Liu | @thatsmyline | Writer, Editor & Mountain Biker
- Joe Kanzangu | @zafferzangu | Writer
- Latria Graham | @mslatriagraham | Writer
- Rahawa Haile | @rahawahaile | Author
- Selema Masekela | @salmasekela | Commentator, TV Host & Surfer
- Sarah Shimazaki | @sarahemilia | Host of Outside Voices Podcast
- Siraad Kalila Dirshe | @sdirshe | Writer & Surfer
Published 06-05-2020
Updated 01-01-2023
