MELANIN BASE CAMP

In a perfect world, access to affordable, healthy food would be a basic human right. Unfortunately, across America, food security depends on your zip code. Not all of us live in leafy suburbs close to big-box retailers and grocery stores. Some of us live in food deserts.

Food waste makes up one-quarter of U.S. landfills and nearly three-fifths of their methane emissions. But don’t worry; we’ve got practical steps to help you convert your food scraps into nutrient rich soil—all from the comfort of your home—no backyard required! Save your food scraps, save the world!

Nature knows no size; so why are most outdoor models and athletes below a U.S. size 16? Historically, the face of outdoor recreation has been limited to white, straight-size people, but this is changing—thanks to the hard work of diverse plus-size influencers.

I’ve decided to share some of her tips, along with advice from professionals, on how to maintain a garden inside your apartment— including the benefits of living with a garden, the best plants to grow in different corners of your home, and budget-friendly plants that stay alive with very little effort!

White American families responded to the desegregation of public pools and urban amusement parks in the exact same way—by collecting their children and going home, for good. White flight wasn’t just a “personal choice”, it was economic warfare.

You look up to see street signs in Chinese characters and a beautiful decorative arch. It’s time to do a quick Google Maps check or to text your friends to let them know you’ve arrived in Chinatown—one of the unique immigrant enclaves found in cities across the United States.

How far would you go for a new hobby? Would you step off a cliff, dive into the ocean, or fly a canopy off a mountainside? If you’ve said “yes” to any of the above, you might be an adventurous Black woman. Daring, playful, curious, and connected to the natural world—we get it!—you are determined to live life to the fullest.

It’s time to ditch the “scary lesbian” trope in favor of queer community, friendship and love. No queer dating experience? No problem. Follow these nine simple steps to find your first girlfriend.

Digital nomads aren’t assimilating into the cities and cultures they reside in. Instead they are reshaping them in their own image.

Now, I’m nearly four months post-op from lower back spinal fusion surgery. Sneezing stills hurt a ton, but I’ve started climbing again and taking small falls. And of course, I’m still on that rehab train!! One of the best exercise progressions I’ve done so far are squats. Here are five variations of squats that have proven useful for my recovery.

Something unexpected happens while I am on the trail…my parents became my supporters and advocates. They make dua for me, send me care packages, and shoo away anyone who questions why I’m walking from Mexico to Canada.

Within the South Asian community, more and more women are redefining what it means to be outdoorsy. They are breaking records, challenging stereotypes, and writing their own narratives — all while centering community.

When legally required to share public pools with Black children, many white families decided they’d rather not go at all. This summer, when you’re stuck at home with no way to cool off, remember that.

Efforts to erase BIPOC history aren’t new; they’re just getting more media attention. Here are four historical events that we should never forget—and that you most likely never learned about in school.

Financially, it makes much more sense for me to stay home and consume my phone—social media, subscriptions, streaming services and all. If this describes your life, you are not alone. But you shouldn’t give up just yet either. Here are ten affordable third places left in your city in 2024.

The lives of Hazel M. Johnson, Haunani-Kay Trask, and JoAnn Tall teach us that environmental justice starts with acknowledging the deep ties between land, water and people. You can't claim to care about one and not the others.

Sophia, 26, is a Guyanese figure skating content creator who gives her viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the life of an adult learner—from first competition jitters to one-foot spins on the ice. And her millions of likes prove that we are all on this journey along with her.

The outdoors, like any other social system we’ve built, runs on ideas of scarcity. Internalizing the narrative that there is not enough for everyone inherently makes BIPOC individuals compete against one another. 

Try reaching out first to Black hikers. You don’t have to comment directly on our race, ask us if we’re new, or tell us we’re doing a good job. Just say ‘hello’.

Wait, so why don’t outdoor communities do more to accommodate beginners? Some do, but others are indifferent or downright hostile towards newcomers who haven’t “proven themselves.”