Return to flip book view
Message Annual Report 2025
2025Black Azz Camping (BAC) is a Black-led outdoor and culturalinitiative rooted in wellness, environmental justice, and culturalreclamation. BAC creates affirming outdoor experiences thatreconnect Black communities to land, history, and collectivecare through camping, hiking, paddling, sustainability, andcultural gatherings.One Year Down, Many More To Go! The Blind Leading The BlindCan you imagine starting a movement with a destinationunknown? Figuring it out as you go. Knowing the want but notunderstanding the need. Having imposture syndrome along theway. Carrying the weight of non-conforming, untraditionalradicalism, and being black in non black environmental settings,and Named Black Azz Camping... Whew welcome to our RealityProviding The Need300+ documented participants10+ events hosted20+ U.S. states represented75% first-time outdoor participantsRegional → national reach4 award Nomination10+ PartnershipsIntro to Environment andSustainability realms Our Partners Change Today ChangeTomorrow Kentucky WaterwaysAlliance Bernheim Forest Level up FitnessBlack Roots Farm Kentucky AgDevelopmentAdvocacyLouisvilleenvironmentalJustice NetworkEnvironmentalResponseNetworkOur Findings
2025EventsWinter Campout Hike For HistorySpring HikeCommonwealth Splash andFamily AdventureThe Commonwealth Splash Family AdventurePaddle is a family-centered outdoor experiencedesigned to expand equitable access to Kentucky’swaterways while fostering confidence, connection,and environmental awareness among Black families.We partnered with Kentucky Waterways Alliance andLee Payne Jr (The Owl Whisperer) to make this eventpossible. During this paddle we had:49 attendeesAges 18-6476% First timers4 States RepresentedCultural Component: Merriweather HouseEnvironmental Component: Natural HabitatHike for History is a guided community hike thatconnects Black history, land, and wellnessthrough intentional movement and storytelling.This experience reclaims outdoor spaces asplaces where Black narratives, resilience, andpresence are centered and honored.45 attendeesages 18-6450% First time hikers3 States RepresentedCultural Component: York and MuhammadAliEnvironmental Component: Paw PawinfluenceDistributed 46 mealsThe Winter Campout Experience taughtessential cold-weather survival skills, whileraising awareness of how extreme temperaturesimpact the Black unhoused community.Participants learn preparedness alongsideunderstanding the systemic and environmentalfactors that increase winter risks for thosewithout access to safe shelter.10 attendeesages 13-50100% First time winter camp2 States RepresentedCultural Component: Black survival Skillsand our historyEnvironmental Component: Black unhousedCommunity and emergency preparednessThe Spring Hike is a guided outdoor experiencedesigned to promote wellness, environmentalawareness, and collective reflection, whiledrawing direct connections between access togreen space and environmental inequities facedby Black communities. We held it at Red RiverGorge, were participants were also servedhealthy meals40 attendeesages 13-4564% never been to Red River Gorge4 States RepresentedCultural Component: Redlining and urbanheat islandsEnvironmental Component: How to planttrees, backyard farming, implement raisedbeds
2025Hike For HistoryWinter CampSpring Hike Commonwealth Splashand Family AdventureEvents
The Annual Black Azz Camping Trip is signature multi-day outdoor gathering thatbrought together Black campers, outdoor enthusiasts, cultural makers, folksfrom surrounding states, and first-time adventurers for collective reconnectionwith land, community, and wellness.Held over a long weekend on Black Roots Farm — a Black-owned farm inWinchester, KY — the event elevated outdoor space as a site of healing,community, culture, and connection. Participants from across Kentucky andbeyond came together for immersive experiences rooted in nature, culturalexpression, sustainability, and collective care. 2 Annual Black Azz Camping TripndOctober 10-12, 20251. CommunityIntentional spaces forintergenerational connectionShared experiences that buildtrust, solidarity, and belonging2. CultureBlack stories, expressions, andland narratives centeredReclamation of nature as a safespace, not exclusion, ordiscriminationAt The 2nd Annual Black Azz Camping Trip each day wasCentered around Black Azz Camping’s Core Values:3 ConnectionDeepening relationships withself, others, and the landMindful outdoor practice thatsupports mental, emotional,and physical well-being4. Environmental JusticeLand-based discussion onstewardship and accessHighlighting regenerative foodsystems and Black farming
Day One of the Annual Black Azz Camping Trip wasintentionally designed as Community Day, setting the tonefor connection, collaboration, and collective carethroughout the weekend. As campers arrived at BlackRoots Farm, the focus was on building community beforeprogramming—ensuring everyone felt supported,welcomed, and grounded in the shared experience.2 Annual Black Azz Camping TripndDay 1 CommunityCommunityIntentional spaces for connection, acquaintanceship,Shared experiences, solidarity, and belongingCampers worked together to set up tents and campsites,with experienced campers assisting first-timers. Thiscooperative setup created immediate opportunities formentorship, trust-building, and shared problem-solving,reinforcing the idea that no one camps alone. The processhelped reduce anxiety for new campers while fostering asense of ownership and belonging within the space.70 campers6 states/ 15 citiesAges: 21-6525% First Time CampersEnvironmental Component:Land Stewardship Cultural Component: Each one teach one
The morning began with a group hike, offering participantsan opportunity to move their bodies, reconnect with theland, and experience nature as a space for grounding andreflection. The hike was accessible to varying fitness levelsand encouraged participants to move at a communal pace,reinforcing the importance of wellness without pressure orcompetition.2 Annual Black Azz Camping TripndDay 2 Culture CultureBlack stories, expressions, and land narratives centered.Reclamation of nature as a safe space, not exclusion, or discriminationAs the day transitioned, the campsite transformed into avibrant cultural hub with the Black Azz Music Festival—acelebration of Black artistry, storytelling, and connection. Thefestival created space for people to gather, relax, and engagewith one another through music and conversation.We celebrated and supported our culture mentally with ourMen’s mental health panel, Physically with our morning hike,financially with our black own food trucks and vendors119 Music Festival AttendeesAges: 21-65First Black Azz Music FestivalEnvironmental Component: Bio CharCultural Component: Black Liberation and Mental Health
ConnectionDeepening relationships with self, others, and the landMindful outdoor practice that supports mental, emotional, and physical well-beingDay Three of the Annual Black Azz Camping Trip was centered onconnection, gratitude, and collective responsibility, grounding theweekend in shared nourishment and care for both community andland. The morning began with a Yoga and Meditation inpartnership with first year campout attendee Shalonda Smith. We then began our Black Azz Farmers Market, featuring growers,makers, and food producers from across the region. The marketcreated space for economic support, relationship-building, anddirect connection between campers and Black farmers—reinforcing the importance of food sovereignty and land-basedeconomies within Black communities.2 Annual Black Azz Camping TripndDay 3 ConnectionCampers gathered for a Farm-to-Table Brunch hosted by KentuckyBlack Farmers Alliance and Alfalfa. All food served during thebreakfast was sourced exclusively from Black-owned farms andfarmers, ensuring that the meal reflected the values of equity,sustainability, and intentional investment in Black agriculturalsystems.Before eating, the community paused to pray together,acknowledging gratitude for the land, the food, the hands that grewit, and the relationships formed throughout the weekend. Sharing ameal became more than nourishment—it became unity, respect, andcultural grounding.48 Farm to Table brunch attendees7 Farmers Market VendorsAll food came from Black Farmers and FarmsEnvironmental Component: Leave No TraceCultural Component: Pray, Eat, and Connect
Black Azz Camping: Making outdoor activities more inclusiveBY Tyler O'Neill KentuckyPUBLISHED 5:00 PM ET Feb. 28, 2025Louisville group aims to get more Black people campingLouisville Public Media | By Michelle Tyrene JohnsonPublished October 9, 2025 at 6:20 PM EDT2025MEDIAMeet Brittiney Griffin: Founder of Black Azz Camping By Susan Griffin WardNominations/AwardsToday’s Woman 25HerStory 25 : AwardedYPAL Award 24Youth Violence PreventionClick The Pics
2025PARTNERSHIPSLEJN: Louisville Environmental JusticeERN: Environmental Response NetworkEarth Fest 2025Midwest Sustainability SummitEnvironmental Groups/EventsBlackazzcamping@gmail.comBlackazzcamping.orgContact: Brittiney GriffinBecome a Partner
2025SPONSORSSpecial Thanks To our Sponsors:Change Today Change Tomorrow Kentucky Waterway AllianceTNG MULTIMEDIAKADA: Kentucky Ag Development AgencyBlack Root FarmHeine Brothers CoffeeAnti-Violence CoalitionLetter to our SponsorsOn behalf of Black Azz Camping, thank you. Your support meansmore to us than words can fully express. Because of you, Blackpeople were able to gather on land where we felt safe, seen, andwelcomed. We shared meals under open skies, first-timecampers pitched tents with confidence, elders rested, andcommunity was built in places where it hasn’t always feltaccessible to us. Your investment helped transform outdoorspaces into places of belonging, healing, and joy.Black Azz Camping is rooted in the belief that access to nature isnot a luxury—it is essential to our wellness, our culture, and ourfuture. Your partnership made it possible for us to removebarriers, center Black stories, support Black farmers andvendors, and create experiences that honor both people andland.We do not take your support lightly. You are not just sponsors—you are part of the village that makes this work possible.Because of you, our community continues to grow stronger,more connected, and more grounded.Thank you for believing in this vision and walking alongside us.With deep gratitude,Brittiney GriffinFounder, Black Azz Campingblackazzcamping@gmail.comBecome a SponsorBlackazzcamping@gmail.comBlackazzcamping.orgContact: Brittiney Griffin