Black in Wild

This is the final episode of season 2! In this episode I chat with my friend Rizalyn whom I met 3 years ago at a BIPOC retreat. Ever since then I have been following along on her journey with plants. Rizalyn is studying horticulture right now but this was not always a clear path for her. Listen in to learn about Rizalyn’s first experiences from a young age connecting with plants in her family gard...

I’m back with an episode just in time to celebrate Juneteenth! In this episode I feature my friend and supposed doppleganger, Jameisha. Both Jamiesha and I moved to the Eastern Sierra in 2019 and have worked for federal land management agencies. Being that there isn’t much diversity in this area, we have been and continue to be mistaken for each other even after all of these years. Jamiesha is one...

In this episode I interview my brother from another, Martin. I first met Martin outside of Glacier National Park in 2020 through my sibling who was living in Montana at the time. Martin has always inspired me by the way he is unapologetically himself. When he sets his mind to something he sees it through. There doesn’t seem to be an adventure too big for him. It’s been awesome to see a Latino man...

We're back after a short and unexpected hiatus! In this episode I chat with my friend Hannah Ashby about the lessons she's learned along the way in the outdoors both professionally and recreationally. Hannah is a climber, outdoor enthusiast, a guide, and a naturalist. Listen in to hear about her experience in outdoor spaces as a a queer woman of color. This conversation will leave you feeling insp...

In this week’s conversation I have another talk with a new friend, Mr. Justin Campbell aka Mr. JayCam of Equalized Outdoors. Justin shares his experience as a hunter who grew up in Virginia and how hunting is an important part of his life for many reasons. The biggest being his mental health. He describes his journey to creating equalized outdoors and how being outside can benefit everybody. Wheth...

Welcome back! I took a short hiatus for some birthday travels in late March. Shout out to all of my Pisces!  I’m back in the month of April with two new episodes featuring new friends of mine. The theme that kept coming up in this months conversations is mental health. In this episode I chat with the homie Joseph Bogorad, also known as yourmammothagent on social media. Joseph is a realtor, content...

Lately I have been reminded of the goal I set for my younger self. College aged Deja who studied History and Anthropology but wasn’t sure quite what to do with those majors other than teaching. And I remember coming to the conclusion that whatever I did, I wanted to be a voice for people/places/things that could not speak for themselves. I recently realized that that idea has subconsciously led me...

Happy Women’s history month! In honor of that I will be highlighting women’s stories, experiences, and voices this month. To kick things off this episode features a close friend and an all around badass woman in her own right. I’ve had so many conversations with my female friends about the pressures from society to look and/or act a certain way. Those pressures are heightened in the outdoor commun...

To continue with the themes of the month, Winter and Black History (because lets be honest, black history is created everyday and should be celebrated all the time!). This episode features a local Mammoth celebrity, Maurice Cooper. Maurice is a former ski instructor, avid adventurer, an actor, and the most sought out MC in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. He is another long time friend of mine that is a...

This first episode of season two is setting things off in the best way with all the good vibes. At the beginning of this season I want to highlight snow sports because we are in winter right now, so that feels most relevant. The theme for this month is going to honor Black History Month.  Today’s episode features my friend, my brother from another, local Mammoth legend, Lawrence Bowie. Snowboardin...

This episode of black in wild the podcast is the follow up episode to the previous one where I shared about my experience of my work being affected by the executive orders. This episode will focus on two individuals who have also been affected by the executive orders and are from underrepresented communities. One would like to keep their identity anonymous for safety reasons and the other I will a...

In this episode I touch on what executive orders are and share about how the executive orders impacted my work. This episode will be followed by another that will focus on highlighting how people from underrepresented communities who work in conservation have been affected by the executive orders of the Trump Administration. *Note: the opinions in this episode and on this podcast are not represent...

In this episode of Black in Wild, I chat with a long time friend from my time working and living in Yosemite Valley, Justin Elkins. A self proclaimed lady of leisure and someone who likes to just exist in a space.  Justin emphasizes that in the end it’s all about accessibility and the images that are perpetuated for given activities or places. Park accessibility goes beyond race, gender, or sexual...

In this episode of Black in Wild, I share about my experiences with hiking and how that has evolved into backpacking. If it was not for trial and erroring, plus the kindness and patience of loved ones I would not be where I am today. Hiking has been a gateway to new opportunities and beginnings. Stay tuned for more episodes where I share about my experiences in outdoor recreation and the field of...

In this episode of Black in Wild, I pop in with a quick life update and message to let you know I and this podcast have not gone anywhere. This is the first of more new episodes to come. Have ideas on what topics you'd like to hear covered on the podcast? Want to be a guest or know someone you recommend I feature? Reach out via email or on instagram! Podcast email address: blk.in.wild@gmail.com In...

In this episode of Black in Wild, I speak with my friend Khang who lives with a disability called osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. I learn more about how Khang's community has shaped the way he views himself in the world and what he is capable of despite his condition. The people we surround ourselves with can truly impact what our experience is like. People with disabi...

In this episode I connect with a new yet dear friend Steve. And although we met through work, our friendship and bond has transcended that. Steve share about his ethnic heritage and what it has been like growing up in America as the child of Vietnamese immigrants. This episode is a reminder to live your truth. Show up authentically and unapologetically as someone who carries with them the intersec...

In this episode of Black in Wild, I have a conversation with my friends Brittney and Jamaal about how their family got involved in recreating in the outdoors. During the pandemic Brittney encouraged her family to get outside. For both Brittney and Jamaal this was somewhat uncharted waters for them and their family. Representation really does matter. It can change your experience and perspective wh...

In this episode of Black in Wild, I have a conversation with my friend Karla that I met through my work on the non-profit side of conservation. During our discussion we highlight the ways people can connect with the outdoors, how the culture in these spaces can feel exclusive at times, and what her experience has been like as a first generation Mexican American.  Leave no trace aka LNT is mentione...

In this episode of Black in Wild, I connect with my sibling on our shared and similar experiences living/working/playing in the outdoors. For us it is rare to find bipoc folks in the outdoors, let alone other black siblings. Listen in as we reminisce on what brought us to working and living in National Parks, our thoughts on the lack of diversity in the outdoors, and more!

Representation matters! Which is why I decided to create this channel/show or whatever this ends up turning into. This will be the first of many videos focusing on topics related to underrepresented voices in outdoor spaces, conservation, and/or in public lands.