Outdoor Besties: BIWOC Healing & Adventure App

The needs of BIPOC have not historically been served by the outdoor industry:

• Inclusion: The desegregation of national parks was mandated in 1945 (NPS), but since then, little efforts have been taken to support more inclusion of historically marginalized groups.
• Accessibility: Communities of color are three times more likely than white communities to live in "nature deprived" areas (The Nature Gap) 
• Racism: BIPOC don't feel safe or welcome in outdoor spaces; from microaggressions while birdwatching to fatal attacks while jogging, these experiences are prevalent for people of color. 

The barriers marginalized people, particularly those that black women face in outdoor spaces reflects the barriers they face in health and wellness.

Studies have proven that people who spend time outdoors are healthier and happier

Getting outdoors for just 10 minutes can help to:

• Lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation
• Improve immune system functions and fight infections
• Reduce stress and anxiety; help the body regulate cortisol levels

Outdoor Besties App is the multi-faceted solution our community acutely needs and deserves.

Outdoor Besties App provides immediate impact in two core ways:

1. entrepreneurial outdoor enthusiasts can easily share and monetize their passions for outdoor activity

2. women of color can discover and explore diverse healing, and adventurous outdoor activities 

Our communities don’t feel safe, represented, or welcome in the outdoors and are also affected by the high prevalence of chronic diseases like diagnosed diabetes, heart disease and chronic stress. 

Outdoor Besties tackles both issues head-on by fueling the growing passion economy in a way that helps historically marginalized groups make money, be healthier, and connect in meaningful ways.

Key numbers to know: 

• The global wellness tourism market size was valued at $801.6 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $1,592.6 billion by 2030.  
• Black women contributed to raising the total Black Spending Power to $1.5 Trillion in 2021
• The passion economy is $38bn globally according to 2020 research, with fitness apps accounting for $4.4 billion of that in 2020

With your support, I will be able to:

• Improve the user and onboarding experience of the Outdoor Besties App
• Compensate wellness practitioners and healthcare professionals to share their expertise and facilitate workshops
• Hire key personnel to expand our digital and flagship events
• Create a reserve fund for wellness bursaries for women facing financial difficulties
• Pay for payment processing fees from Stripe, PayPal and IFW 

After nearly losing my mom to a heart attack over a decade ago, I became committed to her recovery and lowering my own risks for heart disease too.  Staying active and managing stress were top priorities for us so we began walking together. 

While on these strolls, I faced the undeniable reality that we (BIPOC) were the minority on trails and parks but the majority in statistics for chronic illnesses.  I wanted a solution where others like us could easily find local outdoor activities, engage in meaningful ways and prioritize wellness. 

I know first-hand the benefits that outdoor activity can have on mental and physical health and am deeply motivated to build Outdoor Besties as a tool for collective healing.

Thank you for being an ally, supporter and bestie!

Chasma