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From Richmond to Yosemite: Meet Teresa Baker, Founder of the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge
We are honored to feature Teresa Baker for Great Outdoors Month. A lifelong nature enthusiast, she is the founder of the African American Nature & Parks Experience and the creator of Hike Like a Girl and the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge.
Tell us about your early connection to nature.
I grew up in Richmond, California, the only girl among eight brothers. We spent our childhood outdoors — “go outside and don’t come back till the streetlights,” my parents would say. That early spark never dimmed; I refused to be outdone and fell in love with hiking, exploring, and connecting with the land.
In 2015 or 2016, I spent a week in Yosemite and didn’t see a single person of color. That absence stayed with me. I reached out to the Department of the Interior, asking, “You have an inclusion issue here.” They responded that they needed help—and from there, I embarked on this work.
I founded the African American National Park Events about 10 years ago, and the Hike Like a Girl campaign in 2016. The Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge was created in 2017 with help from Chris Perkins. All the campaigns I create are in place to encourage people from untapped communities, to get outdoors and "Love on Nature", and to better understand the important role we all play in protecting these spaces.
How has the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge evolved?
Launched at Outdoor Retailer, the Pledge grew from just a few companies to over 180 brands, pledging more than words—we insist on real action. We’ve paused new sign-ons to focus on meaningful collaborations with current partners. Ultimately, we want to phase out the Pledge; the goal is for diversity to become standard practice .
What are the outdoor industry’s biggest challenges ahead?
We need more women in leadership and Indigenous voices leading land management. Men must make space; women must demand it. Native communities know how to care for the land best—it's time we all sit down and listen.
What do you hope the future of the outdoors looks like?
A space where everyone feels welcome—regardless of race, gender, or background. Where heritage and lived experience shape stewardship efforts. Where the next generation sees themselves reflected in outdoor spaces and are recognized as natural leaders and are given the opportunity to rise in leadership roles within conservation orgs.
How can GlobalMindED support the mission of outdoor equity?
Tell the stories. Lift up the work that’s already happening. Highlight the people and organizations doing this every day. When we tell more stories, we build more awareness—and that’s how the movement grows.
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