Belonging in Nature
A conversation with the founders of Black Women Explore
Black Women Explore is an Akron-based outdoor recreation group centering on creating a space for Black and Brown women and fem-identifying folks in the Akron community to connect with nature and try new things. The group was started by Kimberly Young and Bronlynn Thurman in May 2021 and quickly grew to more than 50 Facebook members by the end of June and 100+ members by December 2021.
Bronlynn Thurman considers herself an outdoors advocate. In her free time, she’s often biking or hiking local trails. She has a goal of exploring every major national park in the country.
Kimberly Young is a community connector, advocate, servant leader and recovering socialite. She enjoys all things self care, nature and wellness! A self proclaimed “city chick,” Kimberly has grown to love connecting with nature.
Question [Q]: You recently launched Black Women Explore in Akron, Ohio. Tell us about it and what led you to create it.
Bronlynn Thurman [BT]: As someone who struggles with anxiety, nature has been a space that helps me quiet the chatter. I started hiking in my late teens, early-20s and realized the power of being outdoors. It forces me to be in the moment and revel in the interconnectedness of our world. When the pandemic hit, the outdoors became a safe haven for a lot of people. So many of my friends started reaching out to hike, including Kim. We weren’t particularly close when we first started hiking together, but it’s funny how things like that quickly changed. One day, over drinks, she pitched the idea to start a group and I was all in.
Kimberly Young [KY]: Black Women Explore began as an idea brought on by the pandemic. After home became a place where we were forced to isolate and quarantine in order to help fight the pandemic, I began to basically get cabin fever. I was used to working out in the gym as a way to relieve stress/anxiety and refocus. However, the gyms were all still closed. I took to walking around my neighborhood with friends and then transitioned to the trails for walks and hikes either alone or with friends. It was a great way to get out and remain “safe” during the pandemic. After a while, I noticed that there weren’t a lot of people that looked like me on the trail. Also, other friends had sought the outdoors as a way to break free from home isolation. Therefore, I brought the idea to Bronlynn since she is a total outdoorsy person.
Q: Black Women Explore is something you run in your free time. Why are you passionate about creating opportunities for fellow Black and brown women to connect to nature?
BT: How could I not be? It has been such a lifesaver for me, why wouldn’t I want everyone to have that connection? Looking at the history of the environmental movement, it has been a place of exclusion. It has caused some significant harm to Black and Brown folks, but I’m starting to see that conversation coming more and more to the forefront. We have to reclaim and assert ourselves in these spaces that have often been so exclusionary. But, beyond that, we quickly saw that we were filling a gap for our community. The speed to which our numbers grew still blows my mind.
KY: I am passionate about Black Women Explore because we provide a space for Black and Brown women to get together to connect or reconnect with nature while feeling like we belong in the space. During our time together we do more than just hike a trail, we are building relationships, friendships and a community. We provide a safe space for women to feel free to talk and get or give advice or just be quiet and enjoy nature. We hope that each person leaves our outdoor adventures with less stress than they arrived with.
Q: How is a Black Women Explore experience different from other programs in Akron? What do you think makes it compelling for your participants?
BT: Safety, accessibility, and curiosity are some of the key elements of Black Women Explore. Oftentimes what is deemed safe for white-led or white-female led groups, misses the mark in terms of safety for Black and Brown folks. Being specifically geared towards Black and Brown women, fem-identifying folks, and being led by Black women, we are intentional in the space we create. Yes, we want to have fun. Yes, we want to have adventures, but above all we want people to feel safe and that the outdoors is accessible to them. There are definitely some other groups in our area that are led by fellow Black women, shout out to Green Recreation Organization, Black Girls Do Bike Akron/Cle, and SYATT! But we’re the only ones that specifically center Black and Brown women and fem-identifying folks in the Akron area focusing on all forms of recreation.
KY: I am not sure there is another program geared specifically toward Black and Brown women exploring outdoor recreation. If there is, I think we are different in a sense that our first goal is not fitness, it is to provide a safe space for women to enjoy spaces that we are often excluded from. I believe we have grown a community of women committed to taking up space in places and enjoying the beauty that is around us, either in the form of nature or the wonderful spirit of the other participants.
Q: Tell us about a moment when you saw the true potential of Black Women Explore realized.
BT: For me, it was the moment when one of our members posted photos that they went on a hike with their family for the first time and credited us with that experience. She was incredibly new to hiking and so for her to make the leap to taking her family on a hike was huge! That’s what this is about. We want to make the outdoors accessible and safe for all.
KY: There have been several moments that I have witnessed the potential of the community. One in particular was two participants who had never met before sparked up a conversation while we were on a hike. They both realized they were Black Women in tech. They talked through some challenges they had in the field and we were able to bond over their shared experiences. After the hike they exchanged information and continued to connect regarding their careers.
Q: Given your success to date with Black Women Explore, what advice might you offer parks and public space organizations looking to connect people of all backgrounds to nature?
BT: If you want to connect all people, then representation in creation of the programming is key. You have to be intentional. Reach out to local groups like the Divine 9, book clubs and affinity groups, and work with them to build the programming rather than trying to develop it internally.
KY: Be intentional and be authentic!
Q: What do you hope to see change as a result of Black Women Explore?
BT: More Black and Brown people out on the trails, kayaking, biking, doing yoga in the park, on the ski slopes, exploring national parks! I want to see more people who look like us embracing all that this world has to offer.
KY: I would like to see more Black and Brown women enjoying outdoor recreation. I would also like to see more young girls learning about and connecting with nature.
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration of The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and local partners.
