It鈥檚 been several years since South Asian yoga practitioners opened a dialogue around what has become the status quo in yoga鈥攊ts lack of color.

Although the numbers of those from traditionally marginalized communities who practice and teach yoga have been increasing, there remains considerable underrepresentation, particularly in the Black community.

According to Yoga Alliance鈥檚 recent published in November, Black teachers and studio owners make up a fraction of a fraction of the yoga space.聽 Although the number of yoga studios owned by Black yoga teachers has been on the rise, we鈥檙e still far more underrepresented than makes sense proportionate to the larger population.

As the founder and owner of a yoga studio and a Black woman, I ask, 鈥淏lack folks, why aren鈥檛 we owning more yoga studios?鈥�

After speaking with a number of Black teachers, the answer appears to be, 鈥淏ecause we don鈥檛 want to.鈥�

A Community-Centered Model

I founded in 2020 in the Houston Southside, a traditionally Black part of the city, to give displaced yogis a temporary home. I can attest to the difficulties of trying to operate a business in an increasingly crowded yoga space. Little by little, students and trainees who had never missed a class when I was teaching in an affluent part of town became less willing to make the trek to the new space. Far removed from where other yoga studios were located, my studio was failing because I was drawing on my former yoga community when I really needed to be focusing on the people right in my neighborhood.

Accessible yoga is about location, motivation, and connection as much as it is about adaptive shapes, tiered pricing, and inclusive spaces, suggests , psychologist, certified yoga therapist, , and President of the Black Yoga Teachers鈥� Alliance Board of Directors from 2020 through 2023. 鈥淲e can teach wherever we are,鈥� she says. Dr. Parker finds that many Black yoga teachers create yoga spaces within their neighborhoods鈥攃hurches, community centers, beauty salons, homes, online, and other collective spaces that don鈥檛 require that people travel outside their communities to practice.

Offering yoga in these 鈥渘ontraditional鈥� spaces can actually be considered more traditional than studios, according to the indigenous South Asian framework of yoga, where the practice has historically been shared in cultural centers, schools, ashrams, and other places where community is centered.

Reggie Hubbard, founder of Maryland-based , offers a mixture of online and in-person yoga practice, meditation, breathwork, sound, and wisdom in service to collective well-being. Although some of his in-person offerings take place in a studio, his aspirations don鈥檛 include owning a traditional space.

鈥淚 may open a studio in the model of a retreat center that teaches embodied practice or activist training,鈥� says Hubbard, who is a presenter at Kripalu, Sedona Yoga Festival, and BhaktiFest. 鈥淏ut I鈥檒l likely never own a traditional studio because it would take me away from my mission of taking yoga and peace practices to non-traditional communities primarily.鈥�

Community Can Be Different Than Inclusivity

Inclusion is not the same as feeling that you belong. Teaching through the lens of community repair requires operating very differently.

Studios and spaces owned and/or operated by Black teachers often focus on advocacy, community events, and rest. , the virtual studio I founded in 2021, was largely run by a small group of dedicated volunteers with all funds directed to the teachers. It has now transitioned into a yoga collective in which the teachers manage and run the offerings on a donation or sliding-scale basis while equitably profit sharing. Operating in this way has nurtured a community that is looking for people who think like them, look like them, and care about what is important to them.

Oya Heart Warrior, creator of U.K.-based , argues for the importance of a practice that celebrates our bodies and wanting to be together. 鈥淏lack people are often repelled by a yoga that tries to bend us into performative poses wearing tight, expensive, clothing,鈥� she says. In contrast, Warrior describes聽 her offerings as 鈥渁 tender practice of moving meditation and collective rest, to mobilize our joy and metabolize our pain, without a mat or linear movement.鈥�

As Black yogis search for community online, it makes sense that her approach has amassed a virtual following of more than 53,000 in the last year alone.

Tiffany Baskett agrees with the need for spaces where Black bodies are affirmed and accepted, minds are shaped, and souls liberated. The Atlanta-based owner of runs a multidisciplinary studio that鈥檚 only five minutes from where she went to high school. Baskett bridges working in the community with studio ownership.

鈥淚 get the opportunity to share the healing powers of yoga in the place where we feel most comfortable鈥攐ur own backyards,鈥� she says. 鈥淥verall, it鈥檚 worth it to me to help create a ripple for generational healing,鈥� says Baskett.

The Quest for Community

For many teachers from traditionally marginalized backgrounds, sharing yoga strategically within the community is in service to personal and collective liberation.

鈥淏elonging, community, and uplift are exactly why Black Yoga Teachers Alliance Facebook group was established in 2009, and why it was incorporated as a in 2016,鈥� says Dr. Parker. 鈥淎lthough it is documented that Black yoga practitioners in the United States have been around since the early 1920s, we haven鈥檛 always been acknowledged. The Facebook group and organization were formed to create a sense of community in response to Black yoga teachers鈥� feelings of isolation and feeling invisible in the larger yoga community.鈥�

When the question 鈥淲hat is your biggest challenge as a yoga teacher?鈥� was posed in the BYTA Facebook group, the overwhelming response was the feeling of isolation. Baskett asks, 鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 open a studio as a Black woman who cares about Black people, who would?鈥�

Providing for ourselves has historically been a motivating factor to organize and create within the Black community. Yet it could also be a contributing factor to the lower numbers of studio ownership.

The Role of Religion

Culturally, there are still problematic conflations of yoga as religion or as a function of religious dogma that preclude many from practicing yoga.

But is yoga synonymous with hinduism and is hinduism the foundation of yoga?

鈥淵oga predates organized religion,鈥� explains , a yoga educator and Board President of the Accessible Yoga Association. The recontextualizing of yoga鈥檚 expansiveness, a movement being led by South Asian voices, is helpful for Black yoga teachers who are working toward an inclusive lens of sharing the teachings of yoga.

As the American Black聽 community is 76 percent Christian, Black yoga teachers often find themselves as educators about yoga鈥檚 connection to a broader spirituality and philosophy that is inclusive of any religious practice. Arguments and accusations of blasphemy regarding teaching yoga sutras rather than Bible scripture are rife within the Black yoga community. Clarifying yogic studies as philosophical study helps bring spaciousness to a constrictive understanding of yoga.

Rao asserts that the 鈥渞eligious fundamentalism prevalent in yoga spaces should be dismantled.鈥� Her work includes offering critical indigenous insight into the yoga stories and histories that have been obscured by Brahminism, heteronormative patriarchy, and colonization.

Isolation Takes Many Forms

The isolation experienced by people of color in yoga spaces can be seen as parallel to the isolation of the Black population on a larger scale. Historically and statistically, the Black population faces inequitable access to healthcare, education, and land. Because structural racism exists, reduced access to desirable land ownership also exists, thanks to redlining and eminent domain , particularly in wealthier neighborhoods.

A sobering statistic from the 1990 census showed that 78 percent of White people lived in predominantly White neighborhoods. That shifted to 44 percent as of the 2020 consensus (), yet affluence remains largely unchanged. Black Americans represent just 1.7 percent of the population in the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country ().

Studios usually lie within wealthier neighborhoods, with some such as in St. Louis and in South Los Angeles. Because affluence and race are, unfortunately, still tethered, yoga studios and practitioners of color are driven apart.

When Black yoga teachers and practitioners teach at studios, they are largely going outside of their communities鈥攂oth in terms of location and identity鈥攖o practice and teach. At a recent training I attended, a yoga teacher lamented that most yoga teachers of color can鈥檛 afford to live in the areas in which they teach. This creates other problems that call out traditional social positioning of power, such as the potential for yoga teachers being seen as service personnel. It also creates a vacuum of yoga intellect being extracted from one part of the city into another.

Systemic Inequality Plays a Role

Brooklyn-based , a yoga teacher and financial wellness consultant, cites access to capital as a primary barrier to entry for owning a yoga studio. Studio owners have to be willing to not make money for a long while. 鈥淪mall businesses don鈥檛 really make money for the first five years,鈥� explains James. 鈥淣ot everyone can afford not to pay themselves, which is common, because they pay the team first.鈥�

For Black yoga teachers who do endeavor to own studios, lack of generational wealth leads to the necessity to find funding, which introduces other unfortunate statistics. Black business owners are less likely to receive funding from financial institutions, according to the . Of the $215 billion in venture capital raised by companies in 2022, just one percent of those startup dollars was allocated to Black founders, according to .

James states that it is essential that studio owners, like any small business owner, find other sources of revenue to sustain the business. 鈥淥ne has to understand what is the real cost of running the business and how one supports oneself when the revenue isn鈥檛 coming in.鈥� For a community that is already at a disadvantage for access to funding, the quest for financial security could mean finding an alternative method of delivering the teachings.

The Realities of Studio Ownership

The typical studio model is not one to which all aspire, especially when it鈥檚 not necessary to share the practice of yoga.

鈥淚 feel that some of the joy would get mired in the grind of making the rent, paying a staff, etc,鈥� states Ashley Rideaux, a sought-after LA-based teacher trainer for Center for Yoga LA and creator of her own online platform.

鈥淥wning a traditional yoga studio has never been of interest to me,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚 love showing up for students, holding space, and teaching. Of course, there is still the business side of things when it comes to running my own online platform, but the overhead isn鈥檛 overwhelming, which means I am able to offer my classes at a rate that is more accessible than the average studio.鈥�

This is hugely important to Rideaux, as yoga has become more and more cost prohibitive throughout the years.

Crystal Wickliffe intentionally shares yoga through offering retreats instead of working at a yoga studio, much less owning one. 鈥淗osting retreats allows me to creatively design how I want to show up in the wellness space and gives me agency over my time,鈥� says the Houston-based certified yoga teacher and creator of .

鈥淚 know better than to never say never鈥ut as yet, I have no desire for the overhead nor trusting the fickle nature of the human condition as a means of serving dharma,鈥� says Hubbard. Working from nearly anywhere allows him to engage meaningfully without needing a large physical space. 鈥淚 personally never saw the business sense in seeking to operate according to the traditional model,鈥� he says.

Although the playing field appears to have been leveled with yoga studios鈥� ability to operate fully online, the new challenge is finding one鈥檚 community in a very crowded space. Without even addressing financing the necessary technology to make for a strong user experience, investing large amounts of money in marketing creates the same inequities as rental space. This may not present a barrier to entry, but rather a barrier to survival.

Collective Care and Personal Liberation Are Not Limited to a Yoga Studio

The incredible amount of labor required to establish and run a studio in the face of financial, cultural, and historical pressures provides context to why so few yoga studios are owned by Black yoga teachers.

Yet, there are those of us doing it because it鈥檚 important and we love it. From my experience, having pivoted to a studio community that is intentionally BIPOC-affirming provides all of the nurturance and belonging that I hoped for, but never truly found, in other places.

Tiffany Baskett concurs. Baskett鈥檚 students have shared that they have somewhere where they can explore alternative ways of being, ask questions and be in observation mode. Baskett stresses how important it is for the Black community to have a place where they can let go, do more, and rest.

鈥淭hey get to walk into a sacred space curated by someone who looks like them and has them in mind,鈥� says Baskett. Seeing oneself in the teacher, studio community, and ownership empowers people who have a shared experience of erasure and isolation. 鈥淚t brings me joy to hear how beneficial having somewhere to feel at peace has been for them.鈥�

While it is an act of profound resilience to bring yoga to a larger community in spite of, and alongside, these issues, what would be better is not to have to be so resilient. A yoga community that practices self study is likely becoming curious about these disparities.

But also, maybe many of us just don鈥檛 want or need to own yoga studios because we don鈥檛 have to. Collective care and personal liberation aren鈥檛 limited to traditional yoga studios. Whether or not yoga takes place in a studio setting, there is hope for more expansive yoga spaces throughout America.

In the meantime, Black yoga teachers and students will continue to find one another in various spaces as we create expansive ways of experiencing our bodies, breath, and being.

About Our Contributor

E-RYT 500, curates yoga experiences and trainings in service of collective healing and community repair. Having begun her yoga journey in 2001 with a home practice, she now holds advanced certifications and training in Trauma-informed Yoga, Somatics, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra. Tamika鈥檚 journey has been informed by chronic pain and injuries, social justice for QTBIPOC communities, the battle between shame and compassion and quest for ancestral healing, and the love for the practice and philosophy of yoga.

The post Where Are the Black Yoga Studio Owners? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

In honor of Black History Month, we鈥檙e spotlighting 24 Black-owned businesses across the outdoor industry. Get to know these companies doing good work and making awesome gear of all kinds.

Owner:聽Brittany Coleman

Year founded:聽2019, started selling in 2022

What We Do

Tough Cutie is a USA-made company producing active lifestyle socks designed for women, by women. It is the first and only women-owned sock brand with a majority women-owned value chain, effectively positioning itself as one of the highest-impact brands in terms of economic equality in the outdoors industry. Our first sock, Eve, launched in 2022 after a rigorous and thoughtful design process that centered on feedback from women. The result is an innovative, dynamic, and durable sock that literally and figuratively supports women in their walk through life.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

鈥淭ough Cutie is a woman-owned, Black-owned business that has invited women into the process of designing their own adventure and activewear apparel by centering on women’s feedback and functional needs. We continually strive to create equity in adventure and active lifestyle spaces through nonprofit partnerships and donations. Our company is structured to create opportunity and agency for communities that have historically been marginalized and neglected in the design room and the boardroom, specifically women and people of color. We are one of very few brands that can say one-hundred percent of our sales support women-owned businesses and our pledge to support equality and expand inclusivity is not simply marketing fluff or a top-down directive. When shoppers choose Tough Cutie, they truly have a chance to engage in mindful consumerism and impactful advocacy, with the added bonus of buying well designed, women-built socks.鈥� 鈥� Brittany Coleman

Owner: Nate Elsey-Williams

Year founded: 2021

What We Do

Northside Bags makes outdoor packs and fanny packs for outdoor enthusiasts. Based in Duluth, Minnesota, Northside Bags is the second Black-owned hiking backpack business in the U.S. We strive to get more Black people and people of color outdoors. 鈥楾he Survival Bag鈥� is our most popular bag鈥攁 hydration bag with a solar charging panel that can charge your devices while you explore the outdoors.

What Makes Us Special In The Outdoor Industry

鈥淣orthside Bags has a mission to protect public land and increase diversity in the outdoors. When you buy a fanny pack from Northside Bags, fifteen percent of our sales go to an organization called which helps the fight against sulfide-ore copper mining near the Boundary Waters area in Northern Minnesota.鈥� 鈥� Nate Elsey-Williams

Owner: Lekisha Hamilton

Year founded: 2022

What We Do

Cycling Out Loud is a women’s cycling apparel company, that specializes in outfitting cyclists of all shapes and sizes in cycling skinsuits with unique, bold patterns with personality. We help cyclists feel comfortable and confident in their cycling apparel, regardless of their experience or skill level. We don’t believe cycling apparel is unisex and aim to bring custom cuts, measurements, and designs to meet the needs of women’s bodies.

What Makes Us Special In The Outdoor Industry

鈥淐ycling Out Loud was born in 2020, the year of COVID. Many people were discovering cycling as a sport, and seasoned cyclists were spending more time on their bikes. I was a part of the latter, and as a result, I was shopping聽for new cycling gear both online and in local stores and was extremely frustrated by the lack of options for women. Most of what I saw was majorly over-priced, lacked flavor and individuality, and simply wasn’t flattering to my body type and curves. The idea of Cycling Out Loud was born from this frustration. I wanted to bring bold, bright colors, designs, and personality to cycling apparel and ensure all cyclists had something they felt they looked great in, that was specifically designed with women’s unique physiques and curves in mind, and was available in non-traditional sizing.鈥� 鈥� Lekisha Hamilton

Owners: Tony and Belinda Jones

Year founded: 2016

What We Do

South Carolina’s Morning Glory Homestead Farm is a small, Gullah family-owned farm, that uses regenerative agricultural and animal husbandry practices to provide the best quality produce, honey, eggs, and meats for our community and guests. We teach classes about farming, gardening, and beekeeping. We also offer guided recreational experiences that range from fishing and crabbing in the local waterways, hikes along our coastal trails, and RV and tent camping spaces for guests.

What Makes Us Special In The Outdoor Industry

鈥淲e are the first Gullah Geechee agritourism business on St. Helena Island to offer historical, cultural, culinary, and recreational experiences. Our unique monthly Gullah Campfire Supper with Stories and Songs events along with our St. Helena Island History and Culture Tours offer guests the chance to learn about the Gullah/Geechee culture while spending time in the beauty of the Sea Islands in South Carolina鈥檚 Lowcountry. We have hosted Women鈥檚 Camping Weekends to teach beginning and advanced camping and foraging skills. Our George Washington Carver Events center around the life and work of Dr. Carver, being a citizen scientist, beekeeping, mycology, art, and homesteading.

Visitors look forward to experiencing our historical programs and seeing us dressed in period clothing. They enjoy camping on-site, tasting Gullah cuisine, hearing our stories and songs, seeing the beautiful moss-draped oak trees and stately magnolias, watching the birds in their rookeries, and exploring the historical locations that make this area so special.鈥� 鈥� Tony and Belinda Jones

Owner:聽Karen D. Fultz-Robinson, Esquire

Year founded: 听2016

What We Do

ObservaM茅 manufactures and sells original designs of outdoor athletic apparel. We are the first active outdoor apparel line with a wrist opening for performance devices and watches. The product line has grown to include the signature shirts along with vests, performance pants, and a variety of accessories. The ObservaM茅 apparel line for men includes half-zip and crewneck shirts, hoodies, vests, full-zip jackets with hoods, and performance pants. Women鈥檚 athleticwear includes sports bras, half-zip and V-neck shirts, full-zip jackets with hoods, vests, hoodies, and long- and capris-style pants. Our high-quality sustainable fabrics have dry-wick properties to prevent chaffing and maintain the soft and supple feel expected by high-energy exertion performers. We offer compression designs for core support, increased endurance, and help with reducing fatigue.

What Makes Us Special In The Outdoor Industry

鈥淚n 2011, I decided to start running for my life. I was running from my overweight condition, potential diabetes, potential hypertension, and more importantly, for my mental health.聽In my health journey, I became a marathoner and ran races around the world. The ObservaM茅 design concept was born during a 15-mile training run and after constant aggravation from tugging at the sleeve of the shirt to gauge my distance, heart rate, location, pace, and time. Access to fitness tracking devices should not be a distraction or obstacle. After a year of research and development, in 2016, I launched ObservaM茅, a one-of-a-kind line of outdoor athletic apparel with a wrist opening for performance devices or watches.

ObservaM茅 focuses on giving people who are new or restarting a healthy lifestyle journey the tools needed to not quit. We take away the obstacle of measuring small wins along the way (i.e. whether its reaching the highest mountain side, running your fastest race, or walking the farthest distance) to keep you encouraged and turning motion into movement. We celebrate with people who see the positive impact of movement upon their mental health. The endorphins beat back the negative thoughts and our styles provide a positive self-reflection which is another confidence booster to help embolden our ‘whys’ for staying the course.鈥� 鈥� Karen D. Fultz-Robinson, Esquire

Owner: Jade Akintola

Year founded: 2020

What We Do

ITA is the Yoruba word for 鈥渙utside,鈥� and is the first POC-led outdoor leisure brand in the United States. We鈥檙e inspired by our communities鈥� diverse cultures and ancestral connections to nature, but we鈥檙e also aware that these beneficial links have been damaged over time. Stirred by this unbalance, we鈥檙e dedicated to re-establishing those ties with nature. We create modern outdoor leisure products鈥攍ike outdoor chairs, tables, totes, throws, beach towels, and apparel鈥攁nd community-driven experiences to get people ITA. We鈥檙e also developing education and outreach programs that help people of color feel more comfortable and confident outdoors.

What Makes Us Special In The Outdoor Industry

鈥淚TA is developing product collections for beach, park & trail, garden, and camping. We鈥檙e creating meaningful experiences that reduce barriers to entry, provide skills, and foster community. With educational content and impactful advocacy, ITA aims to be a catalyst for change and a promoter of the restorative power of nature.

Too many people feel like the outdoors is not for them. When I recognized my own feelings of not belonging and not feeling comfortable in the world of outdoor leisure, I channeled years of marketing expertise into understanding not only my own absence from this arena, but the absence of other people of color in many outdoor activities. Many external and internal barriers to participation soon came into focus, and ITA鈥檚 mission鈥攖o restore bonds with nature and set people up outside in comfort and style鈥攚as born. If more people in our communities, and beyond, are seeing outdoor leisure as a regular re-charging tool that鈥檚 beneficial for everyone, then we鈥檙e moving in the right direction! We hope you鈥檒l join this empowering movement and get outside with us.鈥� 鈥� Jade Akintola

Owner: Susan Clayton

Year founded: 2016

What We Do

WhitePaws RunMitts mittens are purpose-built to address the needs of runners, walkers, and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Our handwear features a pocket where you can stash a handwarmer packet, but the key design element is that you can flip open the top and push the mittens down over your wrist as you warm up. No need to peel them off and stuff them into a pocket. In the online shop, we offer a wide variety of running mitts, plus gaiters and face masks.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“During the course of my coaching with Back on My Feet Baltimore, I saw a real need. I could never find mittens or gloves that kept both my fingers and thumbs warm when training in cold weather, so I sat down at the sewing machine and invented one. I honed my sewing skills which has really paid off: I create and test my own prototypes, so I鈥檓 constantly improving my designs. And each pair is hand-cut and sewn in Baltimore. I guess you could call me a hands-on founder!聽 I look forward to working with specialty outdoor retailers who think WhitePaws would be a good fit in their shops.” 鈥擲usan Clayton

Owner: Janelle Sheppard

Year founded: 2018

What We Do

Sweat and Sunshine is a nature-based wellness business that provides outdoor adventures and fitness experiences designed to maximize the restorative benefits of sunshine and natural spaces. We lead five different outdoor hiking experiences including: a 3.8-mile moderate hike into Hidden Valley, 2.4-mile challenging hike of Piestwea Peak鈥檚 Summit Trail, a 2-mile naturalist-focused hike, and two kid-friendly hikes that focus on adventure and science.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“Sweat & Sunshine is unique because each experience offers guests the opportunity to focus on both physical and mental health in the most stunning Sonoran Desert settings. No one can experience the mountains without deepening their connection to the natural world. There is no way to climb to the summit and miss your expanding chest with deep breaths; you鈥檙e always reminded that you鈥檙e alive and you鈥檙e part of the natural world. Guests nearly always learn or see something that expands their appreciation for our precious natural resources. They practice using their curiosity to see deeply and be present in the moment.” 鈥擩anelle Sheppard

Owner: Erik Saunders

Year founded: 2019

What We Do

Memory Pilot offers mountain bike fenders (both front and rear) made of high-density polyethylene resin in its Santa Barbara, California factory. Individuals, retailers, clubs, teams, and bike brands can choose from a slew of in-house designs or create a custom design of their own.

We also make compression cycling socks! We had a finicky relationship with socks, so we designed the perfect pair. Our Awesome Bike Riding Socks come in wool and synthetic versions. They have vertical ribs along the back to support the achilles and protect from pedal pins, thinner material across the ankle to alleviate pressure from shoe straps and buckles, and an open weave front for breathability.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“First, our focus is on independent bike dealers because I believe it鈥檚 important to be at the right retailers who are a part of the scene. Second, we make high-quality products with low minimums and fast lead times, so we鈥檙e easy to work with. In the case of custom mudguards and socks, we offer retailers the chance to local-source customized goods, at low MOQs (minimum order quantity), without sacrificing quality or margin.” 鈥擡rik Saunders

Owner: Mark Boles

Year founded: 2019

What We Do

Intrinsic Provisions is an outdoor apparel and accessories store in Hingham, Massachusetts. Our goal is to introduce customers to new brands that they otherwise might not have a chance to discover. We carry a curated selection of brands, but a wider selection of product within those brands. This allows us to tell a fuller brand story and communicate our commitment to certain brands versus others.

Intrinsic Provisions utilizes a hybrid business model akin to pop-up and traditional retail. This model enables us to have a couple of what we call 鈥渁nchor鈥� (somewhat mature yet emerging) brands, like Stio, which we know will draw in customers. Then we can introduce those customers to what we call 鈥渄iscovery鈥� brands like Vermont Glove, Purist, Corbeaux Clothing, Ruggette, Reima. The anchor brands lend a halo of credibility allowing customers to have some trust in trying the discovery brands.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“We like to think of ourselves as brand storytellers, and the best stories happen outside. Intrinsic Provisions is more than just a store: it鈥檚 a place where passion lives. It鈥檚 a place where there鈥檚 a belief in community, where everyone is welcome. The items we offer are thoughtfully-curated because of a belief in those brands and the people behind them. Almost all of our brands are independently owned and have some element of sustainability and in several cases are certified B-Corps. We鈥檝e taken the time to get to know these brands so we can convey their intrinsic value.” 鈥擬ark Boles

Owner: Livio Melo

Year founded: 2020

What We Do

Allmansright is an outdoor gear lab that specializes in ultralight gear including backpacks, cross bags, sacks, food bags, wallets, and more. We personally design and handcraft (to order) everything out of the Bronx and enjoy making things with the user in mind. Our name is inspired by a Swedish Law known as 鈥淭he Right to Public Access,鈥� because we believe access to nature is 鈥榓llmansright.鈥� We donate two percent of our monthly profits to organizations that protect and diversify the outdoors.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“As a BIPOC owner from the Bronx with a degree in industrial design, I bring a new perspective to the outdoor industry on ultralight gear which is still primarily a cottage industry. Functionality and purpose is very important to me, and it shows in the designs we offer. I strive to make each product exciting and appealing to a diverse group of people. My ultimate goal is to have our gear inspire more people (BIPOC and inner city folks) to connect with nature!” 鈥擫ivio Melo

Owner: Brandale Randolph

Year founded: 2013

What We Do

ROCKDEEP聽sells outdoor and athletic footwear and apparel, including hiking, running, and trail running shoes, winter boots, joggers, shorts, hoodies, and winter jackets. Our core mission is to provide quality, function, and style at an affordable price.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“As a small company (based in Alexandria, Virginia), we don鈥檛 have the luxury of making products that aren鈥檛 comfortable the first time you wear them. If bigger companies make shoes that end up hurting your feet, you will give them another chance and maybe even several chances. We literally only get one chance to impress every customer. We differentiate ourselves by providing outdoor footwear which isn鈥檛 boring, and catches the eye, but also looks and feels good and is made of high-quality materials. We will proudly put our products up against anyone else in the industry and come out on top.” 鈥擝randale Randolph

Owner: Jason and Joy Hunt

Year founded: 2015

What We Do

Elite Feet is a Delaware-based and family-owned retail specialty running store. Our staff is well trained in our Elite Fit Process. With this process, our goal is to provide an outstanding customer experience while striving to go the 鈥渆xtra mile鈥� for our customers trying to live a more active and healthier lifestyle. We believe it is our duty to help educate our customers on the difficult shoe fitting process for walkers, runners, and growing kids.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“We use gait analysis to choose the right shoe for walking, running, cross-training and organized sports. We measure both feet for length and width, evaluate both arches, observe the customer on the treadmill, and ask a series of questions to determine the proper footwear for the customer鈥檚 specific activity. Because all feet are NOT created equal, each customer is individually assessed and given a recommendation based on their unique set of feet. We鈥檙e eager to work with new brands and expand our roster of high-quality trail running shoes.” 鈥擩ason and Joy Hunt

Owner: Mike Carey

Year founded: 1984

What We Do

Seirus is an outdoor accessories company. We make items that protect your head, hands, and feet. Our mission is to deliver the best products to enable every outdoor enthusiast to enjoy the greatest comfort and performance during any cold weather activity. We use the most advanced technology and fabrics which has resulted in innovative products like rechargeable heated gloves, our award-winning magnetized convertible mittens, and our new Heatwave Base Layers.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“I wanted to create the same thing for others that I wanted for myself, a business environment that provides the space to allow a collaborative being to flourish. What we are creating and working to preserve is a melting pot of stakeholders to build a more inclusive outdoors, filled with transformative experiences. All of this culminates into the development of innovative, high-quality essentials that support everyone to comfortably enjoy the outdoors.” 鈥擬ike Carey

Owner: Kevin Knight

Year founded: 2016

What We Do

Urban Events Global (UEG) is a travel company that cultivates adventurous events for professionals of color, like Urban Camp Weekend (UCW). UCW happens every year since 2011 in Canyon Lake, Texas, and draws 1,000 to 1,600 adults, making it the largest camping event in the country. UCW is all about networking, making new friends, and promoting unity while enjoying all nature has to offer.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“Our family reunion-style camping trip welcomes outdoor lovers to engage and enjoy themselves with other like-minded individuals for an activity-filled weekend, which includes river tubing, games, DJs and dancing, barbecue, volleyball, and more. During the UCW weekend, we allow Black-owned businesses to vend for free as it鈥檚 our goal to empower and support their growth. As Urban Events Global camps and travels across the world, we hope to encourage our community to explore through group travel and adventure.” 鈥擪evin Knight

Owners: Josh and Amber Gordy

Year founded: 2012

What We Do

Warthen RV Park sits on 27 acres and offers 50 full-hook up RV lots and 12 spacious tent sites. Our amenities include water and sewage hookups, a laundry facility, two shower suites, a volleyball court, a walking trail, and free wi-fi. Warthen is a place where guests can relax, unwind, connect with nature, and recharge whether they鈥檙e staying for a night or a month.

Forty-five minutes away is our sister property D&D Outdoor Retreat. Guests can stay in beautiful yurts overlooking a fish pond, as well as a shooting range and walking and ATV trails. Day passes and seasonal specials, like a chef-prepared dinner and special activities around a campfire, are available.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“We like to provide not only a place to camp but an experience. Aside from relaxing by the campfire, many of our guests enjoy our guided ATV Trail rides, which gives them an opportunity to explore 27 acres of beautiful Georgia open land. They leave feeling as if they鈥檝e just attended a family reunion thanks to our down-to-earth hospitality.” 鈥擩osh and Amber Gordy

Owner: Monica Garrison

Year founded: 2013

What We Do

Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB) exists to inspire more women, specifically women of color, to ride bikes, and we fund this work by sponsorship, contributions, and selling a variety of cycling swag in our shop designed to celebrate the body types and skin tones of women of color, including shorts, jerseys, jackets, and thermal bottoms. We are equally committed to creating more local BGDB chapters that invite new and old cyclists to join rides or cycling events at least once per month. We currently have 99 BGDB chapters all over the country, as far as Anchorage, Alaska, and we recently expanded beyond the U.S. to London and Antigua.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“BGDB supports initiatives across the country to get more women and girls riding bikes, such as an annual national meetup in a new city each year that brings lady riders together to ride and engage in fellowship. While we are excited about new initiatives like forming a BGDB race team to compete nationally, our top priority is to help break barriers for women in cycling, to encourage women to be bike advocates for change in their communities, and to model this healthy outlet to loved ones.” 鈥擬onica Garrison

Owners: Jahmicah and Heather Dawes

Year founded: 2016

What We Do

Slim Pickins Outfitters is a specialty outdoor retailer focused on building up our outdoor community through education and community events. We are the first Black-owned outdoor independent retailer. However, we aren’t the only ones anymore, and we won’t be the last. Our aim is to be a relevant space for our local community and cater to creative outdoor enthusiasts, while diversifying the outdoor industry, as it pertains to ownership and positions of leadership.

“We aim to be a mentor to other Black-owned and minority businesses. In the past, we have reached out to outdoor associations, brands, and even business organizations about starting an incubator & accelerator for Black-owned and minority-owned businesses, brands, etc. It never gained any momentum, but we hope that will change in the future. We have always dreamed of having an intern program connected with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) where we would have interns work at our company for 6 months. This would allow the interns to accompany us to trade shows and network with brands, companies, and other organizations. This is one of the ways we invest in our mission to diversify the outdoor industry as it pertains to ownership and leadership.” 鈥� Jahmicah Dawes

Owner: Patrick Robinson

Year founded: 2013

What We Do

Paskho sells high-performance and eco-friendly apparel for men and women, such as pants, shorts, tops, and outerwear. Patrick Robinson was a top designer for brands like Giorgio Armani and Gap. After a backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park, he was inspired by the durable, water-repellant, flexible, and multifunctional outdoor apparel and gear he used and decided to create his own line of sustainable clothes that were stylish and comfortable enough to go from work to play.

Nearly half of all fabrics used by Paskho are reclaimed and 85 percent are vegan. In addition to sourcing fabrics that use less water, energy, and toxic chemicals, the company offset its carbon footprint and donates a portion of profits to 1% for the Planet.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“In summer 2020, Paskho launched a new ongoing project called Community Made. Through Community Made, Paskho is producing a small number of clothing items on-demand through a large network of individual homes of pattern makers and seamstresses who live in the U.S. Paskho has launched the project in the homes of skilled makers in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, with plans to extend to Detroit and California. I hope this project will allow Paskho to provide fair wages and better working conditions for American makers, many of whom are from underserved communities that suffered job loss in the pandemic. If all goes well, we may soon move all of our production from factories in Asia and be an all-American made brand.” 鈥擯atrick Robinson

Owner: Al Berrios

Year founded: 2013

What We Do

Since 2013, Outerthere.com has been working with tour operators, rental partners, and other guides collaboratively to host hundreds of small-group hikes, bike rides, paddling trips, and more for beginners in our local New York City market. We’re on a mission to help everyone gain access, feel welcome, and be included in the outdoors.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“Outerthere is a mission-driven outdoor activities brand. We put our guests (aka ‘fam’) first. We don’t treat them like transactions. Rather, we invest heavily in access, support, and quality control of our experiences. That translates into programs that support our fam’s local communities so they can get outdoors easier. We create subsidies for fams going through financial challenges, and offer grants for local environmental conservation groups that include BIPOC feedback in their work. We have also created lending libraries for our fam because not having the fanciest gear shouldn’t be an obstacle to participating in outdoor activities. Most of our fam come from diverse backgrounds, are beginners in many of the activities on our calendar, and are concentrated in the New York/New Jersey area (though this fall we’re bringing our unique trips to Baltimore). We operate year round and about 30 percent of our fams book multiple trips per year.” 鈥擜l Berrios

Owners: Roland Burns and Ellie Lum

Year founded: 1998

What We Do

We launched R.E.Load over 20 years ago to design a better messenger bag. Today, we sell all types of cycling bags鈥攂asket, seat, and belted bags, as well as backpacks, saddlebags, and chain lock covers. All products are made by hand in Philadelphia. R.E.Load donates a percentage of sales from certain products, like the Lil Jawn Hip Pack, to a rotating selection of projects and groups that amplify Black cyclist voices.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“Cyclists can customize their R.E.Load bag to fit their needs. Bags and accessories can be tailor-made based on features for organization, reflective options, and colorful or long-lasting materials. Even minute details such as the color of the thread can be selected. More notable, R.E.Load was the first company to offer personalized appliqu茅 graphics on messenger bags and continues to be hailed as experts for this specialized service.” 鈥擱oland Burns and Ellie Lum

Owner: David Boone

Year founded: 2014

What We Do

The Towne Cycles is a community-based bike shop that specializes in custom builds for commuters. We reuse or upcycle older parts and personally design bike builds for their intended use鈥攚hether that鈥檚 a daily commute, a race, or riding down the coast of California. That ensures that each bike is fitted to the buyer and no bike goes unloved. We also offer a small selection of pre-built bikes, frames, and parts for purchase.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“We care about community. We care about our buyers and what matters to them. We care that people (women, LGBTQ+, minorities, homeless people, etc.) are empowered and not shunned, neglected, or condescended to for who they are or what they know. The Towne Cycles serves many clientele at discounted rates, sometimes for free, and will work on bikes that other shops won’t. We love to solve a good problem and provide excellent service while doing so.” 鈥擠avid Boone

Owner: Abby Dione

Year founded: 2011

What We Do

Coral Cliffs is an indoor rock climbing gym in Ft. Lauderdale that offers 87 top-roped routes, 25 lead routes, bouldering, slabs, aretes, overhangs, arches, and roofs. The routes change on a weekly basis, so visitors never get bored and remain challenged. Coral Cliffs welcomes new and experienced climbers with classes, private instruction, gear rental, and single-day or seven-visit passes.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“I became the first queer Black woman to own an indoor rock climbing gym when I opened Coral Cliffs 10 years ago. Since then, I’ve tried to make my gym a safe space for BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+, and young climbers. This has resulted in such things as a local youth rock climbing team and more women involved in the sport through our monthly Lady鈥檚 Night. During the pandemic, Coral Cliffs has struggled to stay open, but the nation rallied to save the gym, raising over $120K through a GoFundMe campaign.” 鈥擜bby Dione

Owner: Kokeb Kassa

Year founded: 2019

What We Do

At聽Teffley, we make delicious Ethiopian plant-based snacks鈥攃rackers, barley kernels and bars鈥攖hat contain all-natural ingredients like honey and cocoa, with no dairy or processed sugar. Teffley snacks are perfect to take on a bike ride, a hike, a weekend camping trip, or any adventure.

What Makes Us Special in the Outdoor Industry

“Barley Crunch (barley kernels) and Teff Crunch (crackers) are the favorite snacks of our world-famous Ethiopian runners. When these runners train in the high altitude mountains of Ethiopia, they count on these snacks to boost energy, increase immunity, and provide nutrients. Food is integral to any culture and our mission at Teffley is to connect cultures through food. These are snacks that we grew up eating in Ethiopia and now we are sharing them with the world.” 鈥擪okeb Kassa

Article originally published on February 1, 2021 and updated on February 15, 2023

The post 24 Black-Owned Outdoor Businesses Making the Industry a Better Place appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Jahmicah Dawes pointed to the surface of the pond. 鈥淒o you see the fish?鈥� Three-year-old Silas looked over his father鈥檚 shoulder from his perch in the child carrier and asked, 鈥淲here?鈥� Heather Dawes took a photo of father and son, making sure not to awaken one-year-old Finis, who had fallen asleep strapped to her chest at the start of the hike. The family was surrounded by lush green hills in an untouched natural area in North Central Texas that will become Palo Pinto Mountains State Park in a couple of years. For a few hours, they walked through fields of wildflowers and up and down rocky inclines, exploring a park that did not yet have trails.

Such peaceful moments have been rare for Jahmicah and Heather Dawes lately. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the Daweses鈥攍ike so many other small-business owners鈥攚ent into a dark period of debt, depression, and fear for the survival of their specialty shop, Slim Pickins Outfitters (SPO). But then a lucky break led to a viral documentary about their family, a surprise influx of cash, and a second chance for SPO. For the small-town entrepreneurs, the ups and downs of the past year have been overwhelming. Especially coming to terms with just how important their shop is in the outdoor industry.

First of Its Kind

Opening an outdoor gear shop wasn鈥檛 exactly a lifelong dream for the Daweses. In 2012, Jahmicah graduated from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, with a fashion merchandising degree. Stephenville is about an hour and a half west of Dallas-Fort Worth, amid a treasure trove of outdoor adventure. That same year he met Heather. The two stayed in town so Heather could finish her studies at Tarleton State, with no clear plans to settle down there.

Back then, the idea of starting an outdoor store was on their radar, but only as a joke: 鈥渕y friends and I had this running gag, like one day someone鈥檚 going to open an outdoor shop in Stephenville, make a whole bunch of money, and hit it rich,鈥� Jahmicah said.

Right after the couple married in 2014, Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, and racial tensions increased in Stephenville, a white-majority city where the Klu Klux Klan held a rally in 2007. The couple considered moving to a more diverse place that would be welcoming of their interracial relationship and future children, even applying to jobs across the U.S. In 2016, a sneaker company offered Jahmicah a job if he was willing to move to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For a man who loved sneaker culture, it seemed like an easy answer. But Jahmicah had something else brewing in his mind.

鈥淚 remember it as clear as day,鈥� Heather said. 鈥淲e were driving to my parents鈥� house and he pitched SPO to me.鈥� The old joke had finally started to make business sense to Jahmicah, and he figured they鈥檇 have the support of the community they鈥檇 been part of for years. 鈥淚 said, 鈥榃e鈥檒l do it. We鈥檒l try it. But when this fails, we are out of here. I鈥檓 not living here anymore.鈥欌��

So the couple opened SPO in 2017鈥攗nknowingly becoming the first Black-owned outdoor gear shop in the U.S. In fact, there weren鈥檛 many Black-owned outdoor businesses in the industry, period.

鈥淚 always say the joke is on us because we opened the shop and we鈥檙e definitely not rich,鈥� Jahmicah laughed. But between 2017 and 2020, SPO did well, and for the most part, revenue increased each year. Though Heather wasn鈥檛 completely sold on the idea of SPO at the beginning, by 2020 she was all in. 鈥淢y attitude toward the store had definitely changed,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e were both doing things to make it work. I was making sure we could make payroll.鈥� On weekends and days off from her full-time job as executive director of a local nonprofit, 鈥淚 work the shop or do back-office stuff so we don鈥檛 have to pay other people to do that,鈥� she said.

Jahmicah, Heather, their family, and their staff all play different roles in the store鈥檚 success. Heather can usually be found behind the cash register, managing the finances, or running the shop鈥檚 social media. Finis maneuvers around displays and clothing stands in a baby walker, while Silas plays with a toy cash register on a bench or follows his dad around the store.

Creative endeavors and community engagement are Jahmicah鈥檚 forte, and his vision is apparent when you enter SPO. The sounds of blues, rock, or folk music on vinyl greet you as you inhale the smell of charred wood, smoky embers, and spice from burning incense, and feel Bill Murray, the family鈥檚 basset hound, nuzzling your feet. The shop holds a colorful array of outdoor gear, like apparel, shoes, blankets, water bottles, bags, mugs, and vintage items displayed on wood-pallet walls.

On weekends, locals crowd the shop for community events like yoga or bikepacking classes. Jahmicah has created an experience that fits with one of his many sayings: 鈥渋t may be Stephenville out there, but it鈥檚 鈥楽tephen-Chill鈥� in here.鈥�

But just as the store was growing steadily and flirting with success, the pandemic hit, and everything they鈥檇 worked so hard to build came very close to slipping through their fingers.

An Unexpected Call

In 2020, 鈥渨e were heading into year three and feeling really good,鈥� Heather said. 鈥淲e had paid down a lot of debt. But the week that we had been open for three years is when we had to close down.鈥�

SPO closed its brick-and-mortar shop for part of March and all of April per the state鈥檚 orders, then reopened with retail-to-go and limited in-person shopping in summer. Around the time Jahmicah and Heather celebrated the birth of their second child that May, the future of their business became of great concern. Bills were due, and though they received a U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) loan and one month鈥檚 free rent from the retail building鈥檚 owner, their debt increased as sales dropped significantly. Jahmicah had to get a second job working a stock position overnight at Home Depot, then a grocery store, through the summer so SPO could make payroll.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not a super-high-income area within a 40-mile radius,鈥� Heather said. 鈥淎 lot of people don鈥檛 have disposable income. In a pandemic, you need food and water, and to make sure that your bills are paid, and that鈥檚 it.鈥�

With each month that passed, the possibility of having to close the shop increased. 鈥淚 remember going to Google to search 鈥榟ow do you sell a business,鈥欌�� Jahmicah recalled. 鈥淚 called a buddy who had bought an outdoor business and asked him, 鈥楧id you have a realtor or was there a broker?鈥� He broke down the process but then said, 鈥楬ey, you鈥檙e not there yet. When it鈥檚 that time, I will help you however I can,鈥欌�� Jahmicah said. 鈥淭hat held some weight. I said, 鈥極kay then, we will suffer a little bit longer.鈥欌��

And suffer they did, until July 2020, when they received a surprising call.

The Outbound Collective, a digital media platform, wanted the Daweses and SPO to be the focus of its next documentary in the #Everyone国产吃瓜黑料 film series. Brian Heifferon, co-founder and CEO, learned about SPO through an Instagram Live event that July, hosted by the PR firm Jam Collective, in which Jahmicah spoke about representation in the outdoor industry. Heifferon realized the family and their shop would be a perfect fit.

鈥淭he goal of our film series is to elevate the stories of remarkable individuals who鈥檝e traditionally been excluded from the outdoor industry鈥檚 dominant narrative,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e thought their purpose and their story really needed to reach more people.鈥�

A crew flew out in November 2020. After a week of shooting, and learning the full extent of SPO鈥檚 precarious financial situation, The Outbound Collective and its partner production company, Wondercamp, suggested starting a GoFundMe campaign for the shop.

The Daweses were a bit hesitant at first to share personal details about their family life and financial affairs. 鈥淚t was a tough decision to make because the video and the GoFundMe would be public,鈥� Jahmicah said. 鈥淲e prayed about it.鈥� Deciding that the trade-off was worth it, they ultimately moved forward with the crowdfunding campaign, launching with a goal of $142,000 at the same time the film was released last February. Donations flooded in from friends, strangers as far away as New Zealand, and businesses like Taos Ski Valley. By the end, more than 4,400 donors gave a total of $172,001. (And the movie was selected for four film festivals this year, including the Roxbury International and Mountainfilm.)

鈥淗aving so many people we don鈥檛 know donate to the GoFundMe was a humbling experience,鈥� Jahmicah said. 鈥淚t shows that what we are doing here is important and resonates with people.鈥�

A Second Chance

The Daweses never expected the barrage of nationwide support they received. The store鈥檚 Instagram went from 6,000 to 21,000 followers in a few days and the online shop saw a flood of orders.

鈥淲e were down to the very bare bones of product because we didn鈥檛 have any money,鈥� Heather said. They sold out of everything in 12 hours. Eventually people could only pre-order products; SPO鈥檚 branded T-shirts and hats proved especially popular.

鈥淲e did half the revenue of 2020 in the month of February 2021,鈥� Heather said. 鈥淕ranted, our 2020 numbers were very down, and sales have definitely fallen off since then, but it was still better than what we expected.鈥�

Jahmicah and Heather used the GoFundMe donations to pay off the store鈥檚 debt and their investors鈥攕o they now completely own the business (not the building). But though it鈥檚 easy to assume the donations solved all of SPO鈥檚 problems, the campaign didn鈥檛 overwhelmingly change their lives. It just helped the owners get back on their feet. 鈥淲hen we tallied up what we made with the GoFundMe, it was what we needed to essentially start over,鈥� Jahmicah said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful for it, but we鈥檙e in an industry where we are still 10 steps behind. I get to reenter the building, but I鈥檓 still at the back of the line.鈥�

That said, the Daweses have plenty of ideas to move forward. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been cool to see our online store grow,鈥� Heather said. 鈥淲e hope that continues.鈥�

Jahmicah chuckled and raised his eyebrows. 鈥淲e need it to.鈥�

SPO rehired a retail consultant they鈥檇 worked with in the past to create a plan to keep the store thriving. 鈥淲e are currently working off of a buying plan and have specific financial goals for the coming year,鈥� Heather said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e working to bolster our e-commerce as well so we can get our products, especially our private-label products, out to a larger market.鈥�

In addition to the retail consultant, SPO will tap the expertise of a volunteer advisory board that includes the likes of Julie Atherton of Jam Collective; Heifferon of the Outbound Collective; Alex Bailey of Black 国产吃瓜黑料; Koby Crooks, an outdoor independent sales representative with Alpine Cowboy; and Chad Haring, vice president and general merchandising manager of Dick鈥檚 Sporting Goods. All agreed to help after being inspired by the film.

鈥淭he goal is to find people that have an expertise and have them help us grow our brand and business,鈥� Heather explained.

Many small businesses, especially BIPOC-owned businesses, struggled or closed during the pandemic. So to be in this position鈥攚here the Daweses now own their shop and have an array of business experts at their back鈥攆eels like a blessing to Heather and Jahmicah.

鈥淭he fact that we were put on firm footing from the GoFundMe is really impactful,鈥� Heather said. 鈥淚t creates a different level of encouragement and wind in our sails. When things get tough we will always remember the kindness of those folks and feel a commitment to them.鈥�

Paving the Way

The welcoming and inclusive atmosphere of SPO draws people like Alex Herrera, a Mexican American fly-fishing guide with Living Waters Fly Fishing. Herrerra also attended Tarleton State University, just down the street from SPO, but never knew the store existed until a friend from Montana sent him a link to the Outbound Collective film in February. As soon as he could, Herrera visited the shop, and he and Jahmicah quickly bonded over fly-fishing.

鈥淚t was such a cool thing to see a Black-owned shop in a town that would otherwise not want it here,鈥� Herrera said. 鈥淲ho else is going to set up a shop across from a Confederate monument? I said, 鈥楾hat鈥檚 a place I need to go to because I鈥檝e felt the judgment in this industry.鈥� Being someplace like this, where I can kill time and feel comfortable every second, is amazing.鈥�

Herrera wasn鈥檛 the only person moved by the documentary to visit SPO. Some have taken weekend trips from Austin, while others driving cross-country or to Big Bend National Park have rerouted to stop at SPO and meet a family they admire.

The Daweses sometimes feel conflicted about their newfound fame, particularly how to authentically approach their new role as influencers in the outdoor industry. As Heather put it: 鈥淲ho wants to see us? We鈥檙e normal people.鈥�

Still, the couple is forging ahead and learning more about branding and partnerships, expanding their marketing, and coming up with ways to build on the energy they received from the documentary. Jahmicah has plenty of ideas for the future鈥攁 podcast, blogs, gear reviews, brand and media partnerships, and nonprofit work. He has dreams of starting an incubator and accelerator program for people of color with outdoor business ideas.

鈥淚 was in REI the other day,鈥� Jamicah said, 鈥渁nd got recognized by an Asian American employee who said, 鈥業 want to thank you for what you鈥檙e doing.鈥� He then told me some of his business ideas. Why isn鈥檛 an incubator program with financial and business resources for people of color not a thing already? I know I鈥檓 not the first one to think of this, so where is this idea getting snuffed out?鈥� (SPO doesn鈥檛 have the bandwidth to start such a program now, but encourages any outdoor business with the capability to start a BIPOC incubator program to take the idea and run with it.) In the meantime, SPO will support BIPOC-owned businesses by looking for ways to carry their brands in-store and providing resources or a road map on what the Daweses did with their shop so others can follow.

鈥淗istory shows that we, people of color, were the first stewards, cultivators, and conservationists of the land,鈥� Jahmicah said. 鈥淓ven if the papers or documents don鈥檛 say we own it, we were here, we worked and toiled over it, and that shows ownership.

鈥淛ust because we鈥檙e the first, we don鈥檛 want to be last. Even if we end up going down, we鈥檝e shown it can work, should work, and that there should be more Black and brown bodies in the outdoors.鈥�

It鈥檚 this spirit that Jahmicah and Heather instill in their sons, especially Silas, who loves interacting with visitors of SPO just like his father. Silas never hesitates to approach customers and ask them their names before starting a conversation. Perhaps it comes with the knowledge that SPO is his space.

鈥淚 tell Silas, 鈥楾his is our shop. I want you to repeat it. I want you to meditate on that,鈥欌�� Jahmicah said as he watched his son play. 鈥淲ith that, comes a sense of ownership and responsibility, and a drive to fight even more for it.

鈥淪ay it with me, Silas, 鈥楾his is ours. This is ours.鈥欌��

The post How a Viral Documentary Saved the First Black-Owned Gear Shop appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

On Earth Day 2021 we sat down with one of the country鈥檚 leading experts on carbon foot printing, Michel Gelobter, founder of Cooler. Gelobter has been focused on carbon footprinting and climate justice for almost two decades, long before it came into vogue. Gelobter鈥檚 work is centered on helping companies achieve their carbon commitments鈥�while聽making money doing it.聽

Some key takeaways:

• 鈥淭ree-planting does not stop global warming in any way, shape, or form.鈥�
• The most impactful thing a company can do to reduce their carbon footprint is make sure everyone in their supply chain is using as much green energy as possible.
• The key is to remove polluter permits from the market.
• Only 1 percent of climate philanthropy goes to communities of color.
• In terms of carbon impact, we need to understand the concept of 鈥渁dditionality.鈥�

The post Straight Talk: Michel Gelobter of Cooler appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Kemi Pavlocak woke up terrified when her cell phone rang early in the morning on April 18, 2021. One A.M. calls don鈥檛 tend to bring good news, and this was no exception: it was a neighbor telling Kemi and her husband, Mike Pavlocak, that their store, Montezuma Valley Market, was on fire.聽

The couple had been running that store, Montezuma Valley Market, in the high desert of Ranchita, California, since 2018, when they bought the business to save it from closing permanently. Under their management, the market became a hub for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail, which passes just four miles from the store. Over the years, the Pavlocaks added a slew of thru-hiker perks鈥攁 shuttle, bunkhouse, tent sites, showers, and package-resupply service鈥攁nd started stocking its footloose customers鈥� favorite trail foods, such as Good To-Go meals, dehydrated milk, and craft beer. In a typical, non-pandemic season, thru-hikers tended to stream to the market at a rate of up to 30 per day.

鈥淲e also provide a great place to just sit down and relax,鈥� Kemi said. 鈥淗iking for all those miles, it gets lonely.鈥�

Not only is catering to thru-hikers good for the hikers, said Kemi, “it’s also beneficial to the community,鈥� which she described as an everybody-knows-everybody kind of place.

鈥淲hen you have people from outside the area, outside the state, who can come down and socialize, talk to strangers鈥攖hat has a lasting effect,” she said.

A Devastating Year Inspires Support

The fire, which is still under investigation, devastated the couple鈥攂ut it wasn鈥檛 even their worst news of the year. In March, a month before the fire, their 14-year-old daughter was diagnosed with lymphoma. She鈥檇 just started chemotherapy when the market burned down, and the Pavlocaks were too focused on her treatment to spare much effort on rebuilding the business. To make matters worse, their insurance policy covered only about half of the value of the shop鈥檚 inventory.

After hearing about the tragedy, Chesney Hoagland-Fuchs, an RN case manager in nearby Borrego Springs, stepped in and started a GoFundMe campaign on the Pavlocaks’ behalf.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a really beloved business,鈥� Hoagland-Fuchs said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a cultural attraction, a really welcome gathering place. And without that market, Ranchita would most definitely be a food desert.鈥�

Hoagland-Fuchs kicked off the fundraising campaign on April 20, first spreading the word among local groups. But word quickly reached beyond the tiny desert communities around Ranchita, thanks to hikers, cyclists, and desert explorers who鈥檇 already visited the market or who hoped to do so on future PCT thru-hikes.

鈥淧CT hikers want to give back,鈥� wrote one $50 donor on the GoFundMe campaign page.

鈥淎lways so happy to stop at the Montezuma Valley Market after struggling up the grade on my bicycle,鈥� wrote another, who gave $200.

Many donors, expressing support through the campaign, noted their desire to assist a Black-owned business. The campaign also saw a big influx of contributions after backpacking drag queen and climate activist Pattie Gonia promoted it on April 30.聽

鈥淲hat really touched us was that these people never met us,鈥� Kemi said of many of the donors contributing to keeping her store alive. 鈥淪ome people couldn鈥檛 give much, but said, 鈥榃e hope this helps.鈥� That gave us a little hope that maybe we could do this.鈥�

At press time, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $68,600 toward its $200,000 goal.聽

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In order for Camp Bespoke to bring glamping to northern Kentucky, its owners will have to lock down some significant funding.

鈥淔or us to be able to open with our twelve-unit footprint, we are fundraising for about $250,000,鈥� Camp Bespoke founder and CEO Nicole Brassington said this week. 鈥淚f we are able to obtain that money within the next month, then we will be able to have an April opening with the smaller footprint.鈥�

The twelve-unit operation will be a partial launch of the camping and recreation center, which aims to appeal to the nature-loving casual camper, according to Brassington. The compound will have 36 lodging units between its cabins, cottages and tipis, and for the more outdoorsy, 32 campsites where guests can pitch a tent. Camp Bespoke is situated on a 31-acre plot of land in Williamstown, Kentucky, about 50 minutes north of Lexington.

It鈥檚 been a long road for Brassington and her co-owners, who set out to create Camp Bespoke in 2019. The pandemic threw several wrenches in the group鈥檚 efforts, as important meetings were canceled, approval to move forward was delayed, and the cost of materials rose.

Trying to get a start-up off the ground as four Black women in the hospitality industry鈥攚here, as Brassington points out, less than 1 percent of owners and CEOs are Black鈥攈as also been challenging, especially in fundraising. The task of launching Camp Bespoke carries that additional weight in Brassington鈥檚 mind.

鈥淩epresentation matters,鈥� Brassington said. 鈥淭here are people that could never imagine seeing someone who looks like them doing a project like this.鈥�

While the ownership group is pursuing investors to cover the $250,000 general cost, they’ve set up a GoFundMe for a more urgent deadline (link below). The $65,000 that the GoFundMe seeks to raise by February 21 will cover the camp’s completed electrical work.

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“I was born by the river in a little tent, oh, and just like the river I’ve been running ever since.” The words seem to fill the vastness around us, floating over the crash of Looking Glass Falls just beyond. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long time, a long time coming, but I know a change gonna come…鈥�

Earl B. Hunter, Jr. is many things: entrepreneur, hiker, father. Add singer to that list鈥攐ne who isn鈥檛 afraid to launch into a powerful rendition of Sam Cooke鈥檚 鈥淎 Change is Gonna Come鈥� right there at a trailhead in the Great Smoky Mountains within an hour of meeting me.

We were about to embark on an overnight backpacking trip on North Carolina鈥檚 Black Balsam Knob. Put simply, Earl鈥檚 job is to introduce others to the magic of the great outdoors, and though I鈥檇 hiked all over the U.S., this was my first camping trip. I鈥檇 grown accustomed to being the only Black thing besides a bear walking around in the wilderness; now, the best part about the experience was the prospect of camping with another Black person. I wasn鈥檛 nervous鈥攊nstead, I felt at ease. Even in nature, it鈥檚 important to feel seen.

The Business of Black Folks Camp Too

Every now and then as we hiked, I鈥檇 turn around and notice that Earl was not there. He was making friends everywhere we went, stopping to chat with each hiker we passed. Some already聽knew him: A woman came up to us and said, 鈥淚 follow your company on Instagram.鈥�

That company, North Carolina-based Black Folks Camp Too, is a marketing firm built around helping Black people feel at home outside. He works with outdoor adventure companies and brands to remove fear, educate, and invite Black folks outdoors. But unlike most other inclusivity efforts, it鈥檚 not a nonprofit鈥攊t鈥檚 a business. For Earl, it鈥檚 as much about closing an economic gap as it is about fulfilling a need.

鈥淓very company wants to advertise their product,鈥� Earl says. 鈥淚 get asked, 鈥楬ow do we market to Black people?鈥� all the time by clients. I say to them, by virtue of consumerism, you are marketing to them, regardless. The real question is, what intentional efforts are you taking in your marketing plan to get your message across in a way that is not offensive?鈥�

Public lands belong to everyone in this country, so everyone theoretically has access to outdoor recreation. But, as we all know by now, the outdoor adventure sector is overwhelmingly white. Earl鈥檚 approach centers around collaborating with brands and outdoor companies to acknowledge that. His clients reap an economic benefit by doing so鈥攁fter all, the more diverse a company鈥檚 consumer base is, the more likely it is to grow.

Client education is a major focus for BFCT. Earl and his five employees conduct surveys and collect data about Black folks in the outdoors, then put together marketing strategies that can help companies reach Black consumers. The firm also consults on聽content creation and promotion that鈥檚 not merely performative. For example, BFCT has partnered with South Carolina State Parks, helping create ads and organizing Black group outings in conjunction with South Carolina State University. Both efforts aim to catch the eye of people who otherwise wouldn鈥檛 visit the parks. The South is a tough market for diversity and equity campaigns, Earl notes, so this initiative by the parks was especially meaningful.

Overcoming Fear

I heard one of Earl鈥檚 favorite phrases over and over as we hiked through groves of balsam firs, sunlight dipping in and out of the trees: 鈥淵ou have to go through something to get to something.鈥� Our packs were loaded down with firewood and camp chairs, plus all the normal backpacking gear, and we were still hiking up the mountain when night fell and a chill set in. I could feel the muscles in my lower back and glutes tensing up. When we reached the top, I turned to hear, 鈥淗ey, you have to go through something.鈥� Earl paused. 鈥淭o get to something,鈥� I sang out.

Perhaps the most compelling thing about BFCT is the invitation part of its mission. Earl recalls telling his white friends that the number-one deterrent for Black folks when it comes to the outdoors is not lack of finances or fear of insects. It is fear of white people. That鈥檚 a reality that many outdoor companies and enthusiasts are not used to hearing, let alone confronting.

Historically in America, the outdoors have not been a safe space for Black people. 鈥淭he image of enslaved people running into the darkness of the woods and being hunted down by whites is not too distant of a memory here,鈥� Earl says. 鈥淚 grew up with my mother warning me not to go into the woods.鈥� Given that specter of racialized violence, it鈥檚 not surprising why a Black person might not be enticed to explore the outdoors. To Earl, this is a tragic missed opportunity.

I found myself nodding my head as Earl told me this. My family thinks I am fearless for venturing out into the woods and making my life in gateway towns filled with white people. In reality, though I love the outdoors, I carry a quiet fear with me each time I set foot on a trail.

Earl sees his partnerships with the outdoor industry as a crucial way to help Black people feel safe outdoors. 鈥淲e want to represent our clients鈥� brands in a delightful, accessible way,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he industry has already invested so much money in the gear and resources, it鈥檚 time to put some focus on education and reaching out.鈥�

He knows firsthand how important that outreach can be. Though he鈥檇 been working in the RV industry and had been RV camping since 2014, Earl鈥檚 first backpacking trip didn鈥檛 come until years later, thanks to a chance encounter with two professors from Western Carolina University (WCU). After Earl struck up a conversation with Wes Stone and Andy Coburn, outdoor industry faculty liaisons for WCU, at a 2019 conference in Colorado, they invited him to emcee the upcoming Outdoor Economy Conference in Asheville. That鈥檚 where he took the stage and made the business case for outreach to Black people, wrapping up with an electrifying rendition of his anthem, 鈥淎 Change is Gonna Come.鈥�

鈥淭he tone of the conference changed,鈥� says Wes. 鈥淲hen Earl spoke about economic inclusion in the outdoors, we knew we wanted to be a part of the vision. We asked, 鈥淲hat can we do?鈥� Earl鈥檚 answer was simple: 鈥淚nvite me along to do an outing with you.鈥� In May of 2020, seven months after officially launching BFCT, Earl found himself on a multiday excursion in Panthertown Valley in North Carolina.

鈥淚t was my first time hiking, let alone camping,鈥� Earl says. 鈥淭he soles of my sneakers came off and we had to tape them with duct tape. We trekked for ten miles after we set up camp.鈥� But he loved every minute. 鈥淲es and Andy did everything right,鈥� Earl says. 鈥淭hey removed my fear, shared knowledge, and invited me. It showed me the BFCT model of overtly inviting people works.鈥�

From Good Times to the Huxtables

Earl grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, one of six kids raised by his single mother. He struggled to make good grades at his majority-white schools, but excelled at football and baseball. And his boisterous personality helped with his earliest business ventures. 鈥淚 always like to have fun,鈥� he says. 鈥淓ven when I was a kid selling candy to my peers at school to financially help out at home, I was having fun.鈥� After attending Georgia Military College on a football scholar- ship, Earl later graduated from Appalachian State, then took his first job as an account manager at Nokia. After a decade there,聽he moved on to various VP of sales roles, ultimately ending up at the RV company SylvanSport. 鈥淚 am a Good Times kid living the Huxtable lifestyle,鈥� he jokes.

But while he was used to being the only Black executive in the room at work, he didn鈥檛 fully appreciate how white the outdoor recreation world was until 2017, when he took his then-7-year-old son along on a road trip. They embarked on a three-month cross-country RV adventure, camping all over the U.S. and Canada and visiting 49 KOA campgrounds. Still, they saw only one other Black family with an RV during the whole trip. That experience, coupled with his extensive knowledge of the outdoor industry and his love for the outdoors, planted the seed for Black Folks Camp Too. Two years later, he left his full-time career as a sales executive to launch his own firm.

A little after 10 p.m., we noticed that the setting copper moon was about to make its way below the wide-open summit. Headlamps on, we walked closer to the edge of the bald to marvel at the North Carolina night sky. I didn鈥檛 climb into my sleeping bag until midnight. I tossed and turned, simultaneously uncomfortable (never could get used to the blow-up pillow) yet content to be sleeping in the wilderness. As I drifted off, I thought about all the mountains, woods, and national parks I now wanted to visit. I couldn鈥檛 wait to start camping on my own.

Unity Around the Campfire

Before I knew it, it was sunrise. We sat around the fire, watching the city of Asheville wake up far below. It was in the 20s, but our early-morning blaze conspired with the sun to produce a fleeting warmth.

We stared into the fire as Earl described creating the logo for Black Folks Camp Too: a simple image of two intersecting logs with a fire on top. He modeled it after two things: the blazes used as trail markers for hikers, and this feeling of sitting around a fire and connecting with others. BFCT makes stickers and patches with this logo, and they鈥檙e meant to send a strong message. If you see it in a store window, the logo communicates a store is committed to inclusivity in the outdoors. If you see it on a tent or someone鈥檚 backpack, you know that person is safe and friendly to everyone. (Granite Gear got on board last December with the release of the Unity Blaze Scurry Daypack, the first piece of gear to come with the logo.)

There are ample ways to show up. Folks all over the country are doing the work to make the outdoors more inclusive. As a diversity and equity consultant myself, I know this work intimately. Still, sitting by the fire with just a few hours left in our trip, the experience felt surreal. I鈥檇 come so far in such a short time.

I know we need more than just our willpower to hike up a mountain. Black Folks Camp Too wants to turn that will into action in a real, measurable way. As the sun beamed on us, glistening on our dark skin, I kept thinking about my own relationship with the outdoors and how Earl鈥檚 company affirmed it.

After breakfast, back at the trailhead, Earl put the Black Folks Camp Too sticker on my Subaru. He thought it made me official. In a way, it did. But little did he know, it also made me feel safe.

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Earl B. Hunter Jr. is a guy who likes to talk. Go on a hike with Earl, and you better adjust your mileage expectations, because he stops to chat with virtually every single hiker he passes.

He is a born connector of people鈥攁 human bridge鈥攚hich makes him well-poised to make waves in the outdoor industry with his marketing and consulting firm, Black Folks Camp Too.

In this episode of Straight Talk, Hunter talks with our editorial director, Kristin Hostetter, about how and why he founded his company and why it has him so energized. Hunter shares about his recent battle with Covid-19, the power of the “Unity Blaze,” and he even dazzles us with his soulful rendition of “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.

Listen to the full conversation on this episode of the Straight Talk Podcast.

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Being an ally to Black-owned outdoor businesses isn鈥檛 something that should be limited to Black History Month. It鈥檚 a year-round commitment to learning and action. Here are some ways to do that:

Learn More About Systemic Racism

Educate yourself on the experiences of Black people (especially in the outdoors) and systemic racism. Subscribe to newsletters like Anti-Racism Daily and read stories by Black outdoor enthusiasts like The 国产吃瓜黑料 Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors by James Edward Mills.

Financially Invest in Black-Owned Businesses

Black-owned businesses have a harder time securing capital, so look for ways in which you can help Black-owned outdoor businesses, entrepreneurs, or start-ups secure loans, funding, and financially grow to be successful.

Recommend Them, Too

For sales reps, recommending Black-owned outdoor businesses might be easy. For others, this may require some creative thinking — like recommending them for awards, media coverage, investment opportunities, collaborations, etc.

And Also Partner with Them

Make a personal connection with the owners of Black-owned outdoor businesses and come up with ways to collaborate or partner on projects.

Understand How the Pandemic Affected Black-Owned Businesses

Black-owned businesses were the hardest hit in the pandemic. Find ways to help them survive and thrive, and if they have an outstanding payment, work with them on payment plans.

Share Opportunities

When you hear about exciting opportunities, share them with Black owners of outdoor businesses you鈥檝e created personal connections with. If those opportunities require reference letters or introductions, step up.

Highlight Through Your Network

Authentically highlight Black-owned outdoor businesses on your social media and website. Remember, this shouldn鈥檛 be a one-time action to substitute for the hard work it takes to make our industry anti-racist. Think how you can make the post authentic and mindful.

Guide a Small Business into Wholesale

In our search for Black-owned outdoor businesses to spotlight, we noticed two things. First, there are many small Black-owned brands who do not sell wholesale because they don鈥檛 have the necessary connections to specialty outdoor shops. Second, there are many Black-owned businesses that toe the line between 鈥渓ifestyle鈥� and 鈥渙utdoor.鈥� Reach out and help these businesses see the benefit of operating in the outdoor sphere and help to facilitate small Black-owned businesses into the world of wholesale.

Discover Ways to Provide Mentorship

Mentorship can be an eye-opening and invaluable experience especially for Black entrepreneurs looking to make a name for themselves in the outdoor space. Share your advice and experience freely.

Advocate for Policy Change

Use your voice to affect change on the policy level so that entrepreneurship can become a more equitable arena for all business owners regardless of race.

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In 2009, Jahmicah Dawes and his college friend embarked on a road trip from their home in Texas to California in a 1986 Datsun truck. His friend’s only rule was that they couldn’t stay in hotels. Dawes thought he meant they’d be staying at friends’ houses鈥攏ot camping. Sleeping in a tent didn’t exactly excite Dawes, who had sworn off the outdoors after a negative experience years ago in Boy Scouts. On the first night in El Paso, Dawes’ pillow blew away and coyotes howled all night. The next morning, Dawes was ready to board a bus home. But his friend convinced him to try one more night. The second night camping聽in Arizona’s Organ Pipe Cactus park聽rerouted Dawes’ life.

“I had never experienced anything like it,” Dawes said. “It was so quiet and so beautiful. That’s how I got [into the outdoors].”

Dawes is a Jamaican-American man and the co-owner of outdoor specialty store SlimPickins Outfitters in Stephenville, Texas鈥攖he Cowboy Capital of the World.聽The adventure gear shop opened in a renovated Rexall Drug building in March 2017 to encourage college students and the greater community to adventure outside in Texas, using the hashtag #国产吃瓜黑料OutTX. Brands featured include Columbia, Chaco, Patagonia, and an array of Texan and local outdoor companies.

Dawes is one of a few minority business owners in his town and in the greater outdoor industry, and he has been trying to confirm whether he’s the first or only black-owned outdoor store. (SlimPickins is the first black-owned #CoolShop OBJ has featured.) He views the representation as a responsibility and an uplifting opportunity.

“I鈥檓 in a town where there鈥檚 not a lot of people like me. I鈥檓 in an industry that has even fewer people like me,” Dawes said. “With it, there is responsibility there and a weightiness to it. What if we don鈥檛 survive? We might be the first, but we definitely don鈥檛 want to be the last.”

‘Outfitting the Saints’

The three pillars of SlimPickins are act justly, love kindly, and serve humbly鈥攊nspired by Dawes’ Christian beliefs and the teachings from the Bible. His faith is front and center.

The store’s calendar is full of all sorts of events like “Saturday Pedal” bike rides and “The Sessions” live music nights. But events also appeal to other believers: at “Coffee and Missions,” Christian missionaries share about their experiences in other countries. And a new program called “Outfitting the Saints” helps outfit missionaries who would otherwise shop at big-box stores for their gear. Dawes has provided bags, apparel, footwear, and other outdoor gear built to last to someone who spent six months in Africa this summer and another person who served in Cambodia by cleaning a village鈥檚 water building filters.

“You don鈥檛 have to believe what I believe,” Dawes said. “In fact we have a lot of customers that don鈥檛. But what I believe still causes me to love people.”

A Quick Scan of the Shop鈥檚 Interior

Community Space First, Gear Shop Second

Amid the mix of familiar outdoor brands, Dawes stocks his shop with Texas-based inventory and products from companies prioritizing. That includes Austin’s Howler Bros and Kammok, Waco’s Sendero Provisions, a local fly company called Fatties on the Fly, and his brother-in-law’s hat brand, Slim-N-Harry’s.

“We really try to focus on our local natives,” Dawes said. “We intentionally partner with brands in Texas or surrounding states. Bigger brands have a broader reach and I think with that there are some limitations [in creativity]. If you鈥檙e a smaller brand, your creativity is a little big uninhibited.”

Selling gear is Dawes’ cover for having a space that’s relevant to the community and the creative outdoor enthusiast. He doesn’t define what that community is鈥攊t could be yogis, cyclists, fly-fishermen, travelers, someone just looking for friends, or a music lover drawn inside by the sound of throwback tunes on “Vinyl Wednesdays.” Everyone is welcome.

“That was the focus when we opened,” Dawes said. “At the time, I was a part of this community, I was known, but I didn鈥檛 really feel like I had a place. I want people to feel like they have a place when they walk in. We use the shop for a lot of things besides buying clothes. We consider ourselves a ministry that just so happens to be selling clothes.”

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