Mentors and Alumni

Born the 5th child of a schizophrenic mother in an impoverished community, there was little hope for my future. Growing up in foster care, feeling uncertain about my life's possibilities, and fearful that I would inherit my birth mother's disease, I still finished high school. I attempted college, but was without the skills and support to be successful; I dropped out after a short time, I got married, started a family, and thought I would never finish my undergraduate studies. With a Bachelor's Degree from UC Berkeley, I've gone on to create a national organization called Outdoor Afro which brings Black people to the outdoors and currently has over 40 sites around the country. Most recently, I was appointed to the National Parks Advisory Committee. I now also give back to my community as Program Officer at the Stewardship Council, where I oversee funding youth programs to help underserved California young people connect to the outdoors.