Backbone Supports Outdoor Afro Founder and CEO, Rue Mapp
February 7, 2024 (Carbondale, CO) – Backbone, a leading public relations and marketing agency specializing in outdoor and active lifestyle brands, is thrilled to begin working with Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro and published author. Backbone will oversee PR on behalf of Rue and her network.
Backbone has long been at the forefront of promoting brands that align with a commitment to the outdoors and sustainable living. With the addition of Mapp to its client roster, the agency solidifies its dedication to supporting influential voices in the environmental and outdoor communities.
Mapp is widely recognized for her groundbreaking work in connecting Black American communities to the outdoors. As the visionary founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, a national not-for-profit organization, Mapp has been instrumental in fostering welcoming and leadership for Black individuals in outdoor spaces. Her advocacy for outdoor recreation, education, and conservation aligns seamlessly with Backbone's mission to amplify voices that drive positive change.
"We’ve known Rue for many years and have always been inspired by her work," said Ian Anderson, VP Public Relations at Backbone. "It's an honor to support Rue and we are excited to amplify her invaluable work in the outdoor industry and beyond."
"I am thrilled to join forces with Backbone, a company I’ve long admired that shares my commitment to meaningfully connect more people with nature,” said Rue Mapp. “Together, we will create lasting, positive impacts in the outdoor community and beyond."
Backbone will leverage its expertise in public relations, strategic communications, and brand development to elevate Mapp's profile and amplify her message on a broader scale. Outdoor Afro Inc. will continue to be represented by We Are Unicorns and Outdoor Afro Org. will continue to be represented by its award-winning, in-house Marketing & Communications Department.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrea Braff
Backbone Media
About Rue Mapp
An awarded speaker, leader, and public lands champion, Rue Mapp transformed her social enterprise into a national nature business and movement called Outdoor Afro. For the past 15 years now, the national not-for-profit organization has connected and reconnected Black communities to the outdoors. In 2021, she founded for-profit venture Outdoor Afro Inc. to bring universal fit, fashion, and functionality to outdoor apparel. She’s also a published author of “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors” with Chronicle Books. Mapp became a National Geographic 2019 Fellow, Heinz Awards Honoree, and National Wildlife Federation Communication Award recipient. Her work has earned international media attention from Oprah Winfrey, Essence Magazine, The New York Times, Good Morning America, NPR, NBC’s TODAY, and Forbes. Follow her adventures @RueMapp across social platforms and ruemapp.com today.
About Outdoor Afro Org
Outdoor Afro is a national not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. What started as a kitchen table blog by Founder and CEO Rue Mapp in 2009 has since grown into a cutting-edge nationwide organization. Outdoor Afro’s U.S. networks include nearly 100-plus volunteer leaders who guide nature activities in up to 60 cities with network participation reaching 60,000 people annually. Outdoor Afro reconnects Black people to the outdoors through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Connect with @outdoorafro on social, and visit outdoorafro.org to follow our year-round nature narratives.