Black to The Outdoors II: A Black History Month Symposium Celebrating Joy, Belonging, and the Responsibility to Act
Join us at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for an evening celebrating Black joy, belonging, and connection to the outdoors in Colorado.
The event features a screening of the award-winning short documentary Wood Hood, followed by a panel discussion with Colorado-based leaders shaping outdoor culture, history, workforce development, and access.
Enjoy exclusive swag and 1-year free coupon codes for AllTrails Plus accounts, while engaging in meaningful discussions on the evolving landscape of outdoor access.
Light food, and snacks will be provided. Beverages will be available for purchase.
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Panel Discussion:
As Colorado approaches its 150th anniversary and the U.S. nears 250 years, this gathering invites the community to reflect on whose stories and leadership will shape the future of parks, public lands, and outdoor access. Come for the film, stay for the conversation, and leave with community and a call to action.
Jason Swann, Moderator
Jason Swann is the Founder and Executive Director of Rising Routes Alliance and serves as the Intermountain West Conservation Finance Director at Trust for Public Land. Based in Denver, he leads efforts to design and advance sustainable public funding systems for parks, trails, schoolyards, outdoor recreation, and public lands through policy, legislation, and ballot initiatives. Through his work, Jason has helped generate more than half a billion dollars in public funding to expand outdoor access and community-centered investment. His focus is on strengthening the systems that govern public investment—ensuring they expand opportunity, elevate community voices, and advance equity across the outdoors.
Guest Panelists:
Angel Massie - Wanderland Outdoors
Angel Massie is a visionary entrepreneur, storyteller, and media personality whose work sits at the intersection of culture, wellness, and the natural world. She is the CEO and co-founder of Wanderland Outdoors, curating outdoor experiences rooted in stewardship, mindfulness, and representation. A certified Mindful Outdoor Guide through Kripalu, Angel is a leading advocate for outdoor equity and environmental justice. Her background in journalism and media continues to shape her commitment to expanding belonging, representation, and joy in nature.
Benilda “Benny” Samuels - CEO, Imaginable, Inc.
Benny is a Denver-based social impact executive, creative strategist, and community builder working at the intersection of leadership, culture, and access. She is the founder of Imaginable, Inc., where she partners with nonprofits and small businesses on fundraising, storytelling, and strategic growth, and she serves on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Equity Advisory Board. A multicultural, multilingual Afro-Latina of Caribbean descent, Benny is known for translating big vision into grounded action and centering people in systems designed to serve people first.
Phil Henderson - Full Circle Expeditions
Phil Henderson is a veteran outdoor leader, mountaineer, and mentor whose career spans more than two decades in the outdoor industry. Phil has led expeditions and trained high-altitude workers across Nepal, Kenya, and Tanzania. He has summited Denali, Kilimanjaro, and Mount Everest multiple times, including leading the first all-Black expedition team to summit Everest in 2022. Now based in Cortez, Colorado, Phil is the Executive Director of Full Circle Expeditions and serves on the boards of Protect Our Winters and the ALZAR School.
Terri Gentry - History Colorado
Terri Gentry is a third-generation Denver native and Engagement Manager for Black Communities at History Colorado, where she collaborates with community members to chronicle and share Black history. She holds degrees in African/African American Studies and Humanities with a focus on Public History and Museum Studies. Terri serves as a board member and docent at the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center and leads museum tours, walking histories, and educational presentations throughout the Denver metro area and Front Range.
Be Part of the Conversation
Your voice matters. Help shape the future of outdoor access and participation by joining us for this engaging evening.
Let’s stand together to ensure the outdoors remain a space for everyone.
Official Partners
Denver Museum of Nature & Science aims to ignite our community’s passion for nature and science by sharing new discoveries, preserving scientific treasures, and creating meaningful experiences at the Museum and in the places where people live, work, learn and play.
Rising Routes is a 501(c)(3) backbone organization that stewards the outdoor access ecosystem by building and maintaining the systems that enable coordinated, statewide impact.
Official Sponsors
Adventurer Level
Explorer Level
About Camping to Connect
Camping to Connect uses outdoor recreation and nature immersion to address the diverse issues faced by young in America’s cities; from mental health to healthy masculinity. We provide a safe space for meaningful conversations, connecting youth ages 12+ with nature, their peers, and dedicated mentors. who reflect the backgrounds of our young participants, fostering a vital paradigm shift in their self-perception and place in the world.