Rue Mapp founded Outdoor Afro in 2008 to help connect the African American community to nature through outdoor recreational activities. It has since grown significantly, hosting over 80 events in 2013 and attracting over 1,250 African American participants. While Outdoor Afro has faced some barriers to inclusion, its core mission of bringing diverse populations together in outdoor spaces has proven widely popular. It focuses on building partnerships and taking a long view to ensure Outdoor Afro's continued relevance and impact.