Pamela Slaughter

Pamela Slaughter is the Founder and Executive Director of People of Color Outdoors. People of Color Outdoors (POCO) is a non-profit with a mission to help Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) gain access to natural spaces, outdoor skills, education, as well as health and wellness practices.

POCO also hosts an environmental educational program for K-5th graders called People of Color Outdoor Guardians, a cohort of kayak paddle leaders, and a cohort of sensory walk leaders. When Pamela Slaughter was a single parent years ago, hiking with her young children, her family experienced being harassed by racist skinheads on two different occasions. It was traumatic for her and her young children.

As a result, Slaughter felt safer limiting their time outdoors to experiencing nature in city parks, or in planned groups even though Slaughter and her children were always the only Black family present. Slaughter and her children were reluctant to spend time in nature out without the security of a group, even if the group wasn’t always welcoming. The family never ventured out as “explorers” on their own again.

Years later, Slaughter was present when her young grandson, the only Black child at summer day camp, experienced racism in what was supposed to be a safe, group setting. That prompted Slaughter to look for a way to enjoy safely enjoy nature. She found Outdoor Afro, and was excited to start a chapter in Portland that she led for 2½ years before stepping away from the role.

Slaughter had become increasingly aware that all BIPOC were regularly experiencing racism while in natural spaces in Oregon while leading Outdoor Afro Portland. In 2017, Slaughter started what is now the non-profit People of Color Outdoors (POCO), which is open to all BIPOC. POCO is making a powerful, positive impact in the Portland, Oregon area. Slaughter was a Portland Parks Champion nominee in 2021. Slaughter and People of Color Outdoors were both nominated for the Portland Parks Foundation’s first annual Joey Pope Award in 2022. Slaughter was honored to be the first winner of the Joey Pope Award and the $10,000 prize.

POCO has hosted over 300 outings since 2017. Slaughter’s goal is to see members become enthusiastic “outdoors people” that spend regular time in nature, introduce family and friends to favorite spots and outdoor activities, and learn to be loving caretakers and advocates of natural spaces.

Slaughter’s long-term goal for POCO is to build a retreat and education center on an acreage. The center will be inclusive and will offer environmental and cultural education in addition to being a venue for conferences, retreats, trainings, gatherings, community events and more.

Slaughter is the author of the children’s book "Hi! My Name is Robin!" She has been featured numerous media outlets such as The New York Times, ESSENCE.com, Blavity.com, Oregon Live, Blackpackers, Travel Portland, the Willamette Week Give Guide, KGW News, Fox News, The Portland Audubon Society’s Wild Arts Festival, Terradrift, Oregon Metro, Travel Portland, Uproxx, one37pm, The Oregonian, AAA Oregon, Audubon Society of Portland, Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Oregon Humanities, High Country News, and Newport, Oregon’s News-Times between 2021 and 2023.

Slaughter has been a keynote speaker, speaker, facilitator, or workshop instructor for Metro Portland, Bureau of Land Management, NW Landcamp 2022, Oregon Trails Coalition, NAACP Eugene, Multnomah County Library, Oregon Trails Coalition, Trail Keepers of Oregon, Wild Diversity, Facebook, Oregon Humanities, and The Street Trust.

Slaughter lives in Portland, Oregon. When she’s not speaking to groups, giving workshops, hosting outdoor adventures or teaching children, she loves curling up with a good book in front of a roaring fire, writing, redecorating rooms, having great conversations and meals with friends and family, and traveling.