Black History Month: Making Space, Finding Belonging

For Black History Month, SheJumps is honoring Black women who are helping reshape what the outdoors looks and feels like, by taking up space in places that have not always made that belonging visible or accessible.

This month, we are stepping back and using our platform to center voices that reflect both the joy and the complexity of finding connection outdoors.

Alexandria M., Kianna S.G., and Jaylynn M. are participants in the SheJumps Ikon Pass Mountain Access Program, which supports women and girls in accessing winter recreation through mentorship, community, and opportunity. Their stories reflect different paths into the outdoors, but both speak to what it means to build a relationship with outdoor spaces on their own terms.

“It started with an invite, a simple ‘want to go hiking?’. I had never been hiking and wasn’t sure if it was for me. I didn’t grow up hearing of other Black women spending much time outdoors and I didn’t know how it would even feel to be a Black woman in outdoor spaces. Would I feel uncomfortable? Would I look out of place? I did what I usually do when it comes to challenges and said yes to this opportunity.

Dirt paths, fish speckled rivers, and deep canyons guided me along as I experienced true joy. The warm beam of the sun and the sound of the rushing river called my name and comforted me. I wasn’t just enjoying the outdoors, I belonged there.”

— Alexandria M.

For Kianna, the outdoors became a place to return to again and again, despite not always seeing herself reflected there. Her story speaks to persistence, visibility, and what it means to keep choosing these spaces.

“Growing up, I rarely saw Black faces on trails or ski hills, but I refused to let that absence stop me. I keep showing up anyway. The outdoors has become where I feel most myself—whether navigating increasingly challenging terrain at ski resorts, hiking through the mountains, or working my way up technical climbs.

This Black History Month, my joy is in moments like the one captured in this photo—standing in front of those towering cliffs, feeling small in the best way, and knowing I earned my place there. My challenge is continuing to show up even when I'm the only one who looks like me. And my hope is that the next generation of Black outdoor enthusiasts won't have to wonder if they belong—they'll see people like me out there and just know.

I've learned that I don't need permission to take up space in the outdoors. I just need to keep showing up and bring others along with me.”

— Kianna S.G.

Jaylynn’s experience reflects a different entry point into the outdoors, one shaped by survival, growth, and the gradual shift toward possibility. As a participant in the SheJumps Ikon Pass Mountain Access Program, she shares how the outdoors has become a space for healing, confidence, and expression.

“Growing up, my focus was on survival, leaving little room to dream of what I thought was totally impossible. Now that I'm in my early 20s, I'm able to shift my focus towards my dreams of welcoming the outdoors into my soul. Being in the outdoors clears my mind and helps me build confidence in my body, helping me show up better for myself and others. This Black History Month, I take pride in preparing to fully express who I am and to inspire other Black people like me: Black girls who never thought they would be on a mountain, Black femmes who never thought they would see others like themselves, Black neurodivergent people who thought they couldn’t navigate the mountain, and Black people with mental health issues who are still struggling to show up for themselves. Every time I spend time on the mountain, my excitement grows and it inspires me to stay strong and put in the effort to share this feeling with others.”

— Jaylynn M.

Black history is woven throughout the story of this country, shaping its culture, resilience, and sense of possibility. That history also lives in moments of presence and joy outdoors on trails, on snow, and in the quiet confidence of knowing you belong.

At SheJumps, we believe outdoor spaces should feel open to everyone, not as guests, but as participants, leaders, and community members. This Black History Month, we celebrate Black women who are expanding what belonging looks like in the outdoors through their experiences, their voices, and their continued presence.

We are grateful to Alexandria, Kianna, and Jaylynn for trusting us with their words and their stories, and for reminding us that connection to the outdoors is not something to be earned, but something we all can return to.