I was introduced to camping by my best friends, both of whom are guys and both who don’t mind roughing it in the woods. Ask me about my first night camping, and I’ll tell you how I wasn’t warned about needing a sleeping pad… let’s just say it was a lesson learned the hard way… lol! But even with that rocky start, I wasn’t deterred. Instead, I fell in love with the serenity of being out in nature.

As I began camping more frequently, I noticed that there were very few people who looked like me in these spaces. I wanted to change that, to create an environment where Black queer women and our allies could feel truly welcomed and included. That’s how Melanin & Moss came to be, a collective where we can explore the outdoors, connect, and build community together.

Melanin & Moss isn’t just about camping; it’s about carving out a space for ourselves in nature, where we can share our stories and experiences around the campfire. It’s a place to embrace nature without sacrificing our sense of belonging.

Through our Journeys and culinary experiences, I hope to provide a space where everyone feels welcome around. What began as my personal journey has grown into a thriving collective, and I’m excited to continue creating experiences where we can embrace nature and celebrate who we are together.