Meet the heart of Color My Outdoors: Our Board of Directors of Co-Visionaries
From Staff Reports
Color My Outdoors is driven by a deep commitment to uplifting the stories of People of Color in outdoor spaces. At the heart of this mission is the organization’s Board of Directors – a powerhouse group of women of color who bring their wisdom, passion, and lived experiences to guide the brand forward. Yes, you read that right: Color My Outdoors’ board is currently an all-women, all-women of color team – an incredible coincidence, not by deliberate design. While the organization revels in the strength and synergy of this dynamic group, Color My Outdoors wholeheartedly welcome men and allies to join its ranks. But let’s pause for a moment to reflect on why this type of diversity is so powerful. Boards that truly reflect the communities they aim to serve can transform organizations. Diverse leadership brings fresh perspectives, deeper cultural understanding, and lived wisdom that translates into programs and strategies that resonate authentically. It’s not just about representation – it’s about effectiveness.
Color My Outdoors’ board diversity isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about embracing the rich cultural depth of the American South and amplifying the stories that connect everyone to the land. Each member brings lived experiences and nuanced perspectives that make the nonprofit’s mission more than a goal. It’s a movement. They are visionaries and changemakers who guide us as we reimagine what inclusion in the outdoors looks like. These leaders are more than advisors, they’re co-conspirators and co-visionaries helping Color My Outdoors tackle systemic discrepancies and build generational change. They’re partners in breaking down barriers and creating meaningful opportunities, ensuring our programs and partnerships reflect authenticity and equity. They remind us that outdoor stewardship isn’t new for local communities. It’s a reconnection to something deeply rooted in heritage.
For other organizations and brands, building diverse boards is more than a trend; it’s a necessity for growth and relevance. A diverse board challenges groupthink, drives innovation, and builds trust with communities by ensuring leadership reflects the people it serves. It’s an investment in not just better outcomes but in the kind of transformative change that leaves a legacy. Color My Outdoors is proud of this moment in its journey. This remarkable team drives the organization to move beyond token gestures toward genuine inclusivity, ensuring every voice is heard, every story is honored, and every community feels welcomed in natural spaces. Stay tuned as the nonprofit continues to expand its team and deepen our work. Meet Color My Outdoors’ 2024-2025 Board of Directors:
Simone Adams: Championing Equity in the Outdoors
Non-Voting Member | Founder & Executive Director, Color My Outdoors: Simone Adams is a nonprofit strategist and the founder of Color My Outdoors, an organization dedicated to celebrating the contributions of People of Color in outdoor spaces. Growing up near Atlanta, Simone spent her childhood exploring creeks, forests, and campsites, sparking a lifelong love for nature. As a solo Black adventurer, she’s experienced the hesitation and stereotypes that too often discourage People of Color from connecting with the outdoors. These moments inspired her to create a movement that dismantles those barriers and reshapes the narrative. Now living full-time in her RV, Simone hikes, camps, and kayaks her way through the Southeast – often with her adventure cat, Jumbo – while working to ensure the outdoors is a place where everyone belongs.
Leandra Taylor: Bridging Communities and Conservation
Board President | Program Manager, Children & Nature Network: Leandra is an artist, environmental scientist, and mountaineer dedicated to opening doors to conservation and nature careers for Black and Brown communities. Based in Marietta, Georgia, she blends her passions for environmental science and the arts to inspire equitable access to nature and wilderness. Leandra began her journey in conservation as a wildlife data management intern with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where she discovered her talent for making environmental science relatable and engaging. Since then, she’s dedicated herself to bridging the gap between communities and nature, blending her expertise in science and the arts to inspire change. When she’s not cultivating community connections, you’ll find Leandra journaling in nature, hiking scenic trails, or birdwatching—all while championing a future where conservation reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Stephanie Harper: Advocating for Inclusion in the Outdoors
Board Secretary | Outdoor Writer, Social Justice Advocate: Stephanie Harper is an outdoor enthusiast and advocate for inclusion, dedicated to breaking barriers in green spaces and uplifting Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. From hiking and running to exploring mountain bike trails, she turns her personal connection with nature into a platform for change. As a core founder of Western North Carolina’s AAPI group and a Girls on the Run WNC board member, Stephanie focuses on creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. Her passion for equity drives her work with Color My Outdoors, where she’s committed to building a more diverse and inclusive outdoor community. When she’s not advocating for change, Stephanie enjoys reading (she’s a big fan of Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World by Tyson Yunkaporta) and finding inspiration on the trails and roads she loves to explore.
Laura Blythe: Honoring Heritage and Inspiring Adventure
Board Treasurer | Program Director, Cherokee Historical Program Association: Laura Blythe brings Cherokee traditions to life by connecting culture with outdoor exploration. A tribal citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, she lives on the Qualla Boundary in the heart of her ancestral homelands in Western North Carolina. Whether she’s cycling mountain trails, paddleboarding pristine waters, or leading cultural programs, Laura creates opportunities for people to engage with nature while embracing Cherokee history. As Program Director for the Cherokee Historical Association, Laura oversees the Oconaluftee Indian Village, where education and tradition merge in immersive experiences. She’s passionate about preserving Cherokee culture and believes nature offers powerful tools for healing historical trauma. Through her work and adventures, Laura builds bridges between ancestral knowledge and outdoor recreation. Laura connects two worlds together, integrating Cherokee customs with cycling, demonstrating how the outdoors can serve as a space for both joy and cultural connection. Beyond her role with Color My Outdoors, she serves on several boards and committees, including the Atlanta Braves Cultural Committee and MadeXMtns Outdoor Equity Workgroup, championing equity and representation in the outdoors.
Alisha McKinney: Building Connections and Creating Opportunities
Board Member | Southeast Regional Marketing Manager, REI Co-op: Alisha McKinney is a marketing powerhouse with over 20 years of experience connecting communities and championing diversity in outdoor spaces. As the Southeast Regional Marketing Manager for REI Co-op, she leads dynamic partnerships and events that bring People of Color closer to the outdoors. Alisha’s expertise spans big-name collaborations with brands like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, and Georgia Organics, as well as grassroots efforts to foster inclusion and engagement. Before REI, she ran her own consultancy, Cave Marketing & Consulting, where she helped small businesses grow through strategic marketing and communications. A proud South Carolina native with degrees from the University of South Carolina and Emerson College, Alisha is as passionate about mentoring as she is about marketing. A former adjunct professor, she’s guided students in public speaking and business strategies. When she’s not cultivating connections through her work or her role on the Color My Outdoors board, Alisha can be found cycling, cooking, or enjoying adventures with her husband, Kevin, and their daughters, Sage and Yara. Check out more about our innovative board here and their connections to nature.
Join the Movement: Become a Board Member
Color My Outdoors is on the lookout for passionate, experienced board members located in the Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia) who share our mission of celebrating and uplifting People of Color in outdoor spaces. If you’re ready to help shape the future of equity in the outdoors – or know someone who is – we want to hear from you. We would love for you to contact us here and introduce yourself or nominate a qualified leader. Let’s work together to ensure the outdoors is a space where everyone belongs.
