Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2021 - 9

photo-courtesy of Outdoor Afro

and recognized for addressing the need
to support and encourage diversity in the
outdoors and in outdoor sports.
In 2010, Mapp was invited to the White
House during the Obama administration to
participate in the America's Great Outdoor
Conference. She was also appointed to be
an officer of the Stewardship Council's
Foundation for Youth Investment to oversee
its grant-making program from 2010-2012.
Mapp was actively involved in First Lady
Michelle Obama's " Let's Move " initiative.
Twice she was chosen by The Root 100 as one
of the most influential African Americans
in the country (2012 and 2016), and Family
Circle Magazine named Mapp as one of
America's Most Influential Moms. But, these
are just the tip of the list of accomplishments
and accolades for Mapp and for Outdoor
Afro. To learn more about Mapp, visit
www.ruemapp.com.
	

Outdoor Afro Pittsburgh whitewater rafting the Youghiogheny River.

Read all about it

photo-Kimberly Refosco

Outdoor Afro has progressively used social media
to encourage people of color to organize, promote,
and participate in outdoor activities. In a time when
many of the more traditional outdoor groups eschew
the use of technology, Outdoor Afro embraces this
technology. This effective use of technology has
drawn national attention. In a December 5, 2014
article in the Wall Street Journal, writer Hannah
Bloch writes of Mapp who was " ...a Girl Scout who
loved spending time on her family's ranch...there
she learned to hunt and fish, went on long bike rides,

watched tadpoles turn into frogs, and spent hours
exploring the woods. " The article goes on to say how
as a young girl she enjoyed sharing nature with her
cousins and family friends. It seems like she is still
sharing her love of all things outdoors. Outdoor Afro
has also been featured in Backpacker Magazine, Seattle
Times, Los Angeles Times, Ebony Magazine, NPR, and
now Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, among others.

Outdoor Afro-Pittsburgh

In western Pennsylvania, the Outdoor Afro chapter
is headed by Kimberly Refosco. Refosco grew up with
a love for the outdoors. As the leader of the Pittsburgh
Outdoor Afro community, she helps others explore
and enjoy nature through a variety of organized
events. These events may include hikes, kayaking,
camping, and fishing trips. Outdoor Afro Pittsburgh
tries to schedule at least one activity per month. Here
is the link to a podcast, The Slaw, which is part of
https://pittsburgh.verylocal.com. In the interview,
Refosco talks about Outdoor Afro Pittsburgh, what the
organization does, and how to get involved. " You can
enjoy outside where ever you are, " said Refosco.

Connect with Outdoor Afro
Kimberly Refosco's daughter caught this fish on Keystone Lake,
Armstrong County.
www.fishandboat.com 		

www.outdoorafro.com
Outdoor Afro can also be found on Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * May/June 2021

9
http://www.ruemapp.com https://pittsburgh.verylocal.com http://www.outdoorafro.com http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2021

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