Pamela Slaughter

Pamela Slaughter is the founder and executive director of People of Color Outdoors, a nonprofit organization focused on providing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities with safe and affirming access to natural spaces and outdoor experiences. Drawing from her personal experiences with racial discrimination in outdoor settings, Slaughter established People of Color Outdoors to address the barriers that BIPOC individuals and families encounter when engaging with nature. She launched the organization as a grassroots initiative and transitioned it to nonprofit status, emphasizing sustainable, community-centered solutions in outdoor recreation and environmental justice.

Under Slaughter's leadership, People of Color Outdoors has developed a range of programming designed to deepen participants' connection with the natural world. The organization hosts regular outdoor activities, including hiking, paddling, and camping excursions, with a strategy of repeating outings to build participant confidence and familiarity with natural spaces. Additionally, People of Color Outdoors operates People of Color Outdoor Guardians, an environmental education program for elementary students, as well as specialized cohorts of kayak paddle leaders and sensory walk leaders. This multifaceted programming supports inclusive pathways into outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.

As an advocate for diversity in outdoor activities, Slaughter addresses systemic barriers to nature access and demonstrates expertise in community organizing, nonprofit management, and environmental equity. Through keynote speaking engagements and public advocacy, she highlights the importance of creating healing outdoor experiences that enable BIPOC communities to reclaim their relationship with nature and build the confidence to engage with natural spaces independently. Her work has established her as a credible voice on environmental equity and inclusive outdoor recreation.