Season 2, Episode 3: Hiking, Healing, and Adornment with Kenya and Michelle

Full episode transcript available in our attempt to make this an accessible experience for all.

This is the third episode of our #AmplifyBlackStories season, which exclusively features Black voices. This particular episode was hosted and co-produced by CJ Goulding, as part of our partnership with The Avarna Group.

Outdoor Journal Tour is a haven, a space for those who identify as women to overcome mental and emotional mountains while climbing physical mountains. We talked with Michelle and Kenya Jackson-Saulters about how this organization and its purpose align with their personalities, how it is needed even more in 2020, and about the intersectionality of being Black women in the outdoor industry.

Follow Outdoor Journal Tour on Instagram @outdoorjournaltour

This episode was co-edited and mixed by our Sound Editor, Jeff Alvarez.

Episode partners:

The Avarna Group is dedicated to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and believe storytelling plays an integral role in changing the narrative about the outdoors and the environmental sector. We’re honored to link arms with them as we host meaningful conversations about the intersections of these important topics. The Avarna Group also generously donated their podcast ad space to community groups like Backyard Basecamp. Be sure to learn more about the work they’re doing to (re)connect Black, Indigenous, People of Color to land and nature.

Merrell believes in sharing the simple power of being outside. They provide innovative, thoughtfully designed footwear and apparel products that enable anybody to pick up their gear and feel adventurous, confident, and ready to enjoy the outdoors. Merrell believes that no matter who you are, where you come from, who you love or how you move — Everyone should be welcome in the outdoors and wherever life takes us.

PHOTOS:

All photos taken in and around Muscogee (Creek) land, Atlanta, Georgia

Photo descriptions from top left to top right:
Photo of Michelle outside wearing a bright blue puffy jacket laughing and smiling at the camera. Taken by Alonso Tal.

Candid photo of Kenya outside wearing a purple puffy jacket and looking off to the side, standing in a group of people. Taken by Alonso Tal.

Photo of Kenya outside smiling at the camera, a group of people sitting in a circle on the ground behind her. Taken by Alonso Tal.

Photo descriptions from bottom left to bottom right:
Photo of Michelle hiking up a hill, with a smile on her face. She is wearing a black shirt with white text that reads, “I am women everywhere” and a yellow beanie.

Photo of Michelle and Kenya hiking, eyes on the ground and smiling. Two hiking participants follow close behind. Taken by Alonso Tal.

Photo of Michelle and Kenya smiling at the camera, a fence and mural behind them. Michelle’s shirt is olive green with white text that says, “Kamala: first, but not last” and Kenya’s shirt is black with white text that says, “Trust Black women.”