I am Jil Littlejohn Bostick, and Outdoor Afro has reshaped how I experience the outdoors as a space for belonging, healing, and leadership. Serving on the board, I have seen firsthand how creating welcoming outdoor spaces empowers Black families to connect with nature, build confidence, and lead with joy. This mission is deeply personal to me.

I carry a personal motivation that fuels this work. I once hoped to teach my mom how to swim before she passed, and I never had that chance. That memory stays with me and reminds me how important it is that families have access to life-saving water skills and the chance to make memories together. Outdoor Afro’s Making Waves program has already provided thousands of swim scholarships, opening doors to safety and possibility for children and caregivers.

Since 2019, Making Waves has brought more than 7,000 swim scholarships to communities that need them. Your support helps fund swim lessons, water safety education, and other Outdoor Afro programs that connect Black people to our lands, water, and wildlife through recreation, education, and stewardship. These experiences create confidence, strengthen community ties, and give younger generations the tools to enjoy nature safely.

Please join me in supporting Making Waves and Outdoor Afro’s work. Your donation helps ensure more families can learn life-saving skills, create lasting memories, and find belonging in the outdoors.

Give today and help open doors to safety, leadership, and joy for Black children and their families.