Coming to y’all today with just a quick update on upcoming content releases so you know what to expect and what to look for.

I'd love to hear from my listeners about what topics or themes you'd like to see me discuss in Season 3 as well as guests you recommend I interview :)

TLDR:

• No new episodes until Monday, September 7th at 5pm
• New logo coming soon!
• Sign up for the Black in Wild newsletter/email list for updates
• Follow Black in Wild on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and/or Tik Tok for regular content
• Visit blackinwild.com for blogs, vlogs, and more!

This is the final episode of season 2! In this episode I chat with my friend Rizalyn whom I met 3 years ago at a BIPOC retreat. Ever since then I have been following along on her journey with plants. Rizalyn is studying horticulture right now but this was not always a clear path for her. Listen in to learn about Rizalyn’s first experiences from a young age connecting with plants in her family garden with her grandpa, to all kinds of varying plant related jobs and internships that have all contributed to the direction she continues to head in. For all of my plant nerds, green thumbs, and gardening heads this one’s for you! I do want to add in a quick note that ya girl was having almost every kind of technical issue during this recording but Rizalyn is so graceful and on point through it all. So just focus on her. Let’s get into the episode!

Rizalyn! Thank you so much for being a guest on Black in Wild the Podcast! It was so fun getting to know you better and hear about your journey with plants. Talking about your childhood reminded me so much of playing outside as a child and feeling like my backyard was its own little world. Your story is a reminder that taking an unconventional path that isn’t linear is okay. Because it's not just about the destination but the journey along the way. And it seems like no matter where all of the opportunities you’ve experienced have taken you, it has all led you to where you are today. Keep shining and sharing that infectious enthusiasm!

To check out Rizalyn’s artwork you can support her work on etsy at rizalynart and stay tuned on what she creates on her instagram at rizalynisbotanicals. 

As always, be sure to visit blackinwild.com to read my latest blogs, watch my previous vlogs, and listen to all of the episodes from season 1 and 2. I’ve got some great things cooking so you won’t want to miss out on how the Black in Wild community will be expanding. Thanks again for listening! Support this black educated queen by liking, subscribing, and sharing!

I’m back with an episode just in time to celebrate Juneteenth! In this episode I feature my friend and supposed doppleganger, Jameisha. Both Jamiesha and I moved to the Eastern Sierra in 2019 and have worked for federal land management agencies. Being that there isn’t much diversity in this area, we have been and continue to be mistaken for each other even after all of these years. Jamiesha is one badass lady! She is a self proclaimed tomboy who enjoys a variety of ways to move her body such as pilates, climbing, hiking/backpacking, skiing, and more. In this episode we talk about what it's like being a black woman living in rural/remote areas, the pressure placed on us from stereotypes, and ways we’ve learned to navigate a world that thinks they know how to define us by our appearance. If you’ve ever been frustrated by the idea that you have to accept the cultural narrative of an activity to be welcomed, then you’ll enjoy this conversation.

Jameisha! Thank you for being a guest on Black in Wild the podcast and for sharing your story! I hope that people can now tell we are not the same person, not even related lol. But for real, this conversation was extremely healing for me. I’ve always felt inspired knowing that you existed in similar spaces I’ve been in and to watch your journey more closely as your friend. I’m thankful that the universe finally brought us together so we can represent in wild spaces together taking up space melanin skin and all. So many themes we touched on in our conversation is why I created the podcast and why representation matters.

If you’d like to follow along with Jamiesha’s pilates journey be sure to follow her instagram account @move.with.jam. 

And don’t forget to visit the Black in Wild website at blackinwild.com where you can find all of the episodes from the podcast, blogs, and vlogs! And there is an option to connect with me using the contact form to share feedback, suggest guests and or themes/voices that are missing.

New episode out in two weeks! Episodes are released bi-weekly! Thanks for checking out this episode!

*Note: Opinions in this episode and on this podcast are not representative of any agency, organization, or business.*

In this episode I interview my brother from another, Martin. I first met Martin outside of Glacier National Park in 2020 through my sibling who was living in Montana at the time. Martin has always inspired me by the way he is unapologetically himself. When he sets his mind to something he sees it through. There doesn’t seem to be an adventure too big for him. It’s been awesome to see a Latino man participating in activities and living in places where brown voices are not usually advertised. This episode is a great reminder that it’s never too late to start over. Listen in to hear about Martin’s journey from growing up in another country to living in some of the most remote/rural places in the United States.

Martin! Thank you so much for being a guest on black in Wild! It was a pleasure getting to know you better. It was fun to reminisce on both of our experiences being POC’s living in National Parks. Our conversation reminded me that community can be found even in the most unlikely of places if you’re willing to say yes. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become and can’t wait to see what other adventures you get up to. 

Be sure to check out BlackInWild.com for all things black in Wild. I have a new blog post up where I share about my journey to hiking upper Yosemite falls. And be on the look out for a new vlog coming soon. If you have ideas of stories that are missing on this show or people I should feature please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can send me a message through the website under contact me. 

Happy pride month! Although I do not have any pride themed discussions this month, just know I’m sending love to my queer community.

*Note: the opinions and perspectives on this podcast are not representative of any agency, business, company or organization.

We're back after a short and unexpected hiatus! In this episode I chat with my friend Hannah Ashby about the lessons she's learned along the way in the outdoors both professionally and recreationally. Hannah is a climber, outdoor enthusiast, a guide, and a naturalist. Listen in to hear about her experience in outdoor spaces as a a queer woman of color. This conversation will leave you feeling inspired to be a kinder human both to yourself and others. As well as being reminder to not only enjoy those big adventures but also the little moments too.

Thanks Hannah for being an awesome badass human and sharing your story on Black in Wild! Keep doing the good work!

Be sure to check out blackinwild.com for all things Black in Wild!

New episode bi-weekly!

*Note the opinions and perspectives featured on this podcast are not representative of any agency, organization, or business.

In this week’s conversation I have another talk with a new friend, Mr. Justin Campbell aka Mr.JayCam of Equalized Outdoors. Justin shares his experience as a hunter who grew up in Virginia and how hunting is an important part of his life for many reasons. The biggest being his mental health. He describes his journey to creating equalized outdoors and how being outside can benefit everybody. Whether you are a hunter, know someone who hunts, or is curious about the ethics of hunting, you’ll find this conversation enlightening and interesting.

Justin! Thank you for being a guest on black in Wild! This was a fun and thought provoking conversation to be a part of. I’m so excited about our plans to collaborate in the future. Stay tuned for some more content coming out from us in the near future. But really I’m appreciative of the way you patiently and humbly share your story and information on hunting. Equalized outdoors is a great platform to connect anybody with more information on hunting. Thanks for making easily digestible and entertaining content.

Follow Justin on instagram @equalizedoutdoors and check

out their website equalizedoutdoors.com for more information regarding hunting, cooking, etc.

Thanks for checking out this episode! Don't forget to visit blackinwild.com for all things Black in Wild and stay connected to the community!

Welcome back! I took a short hiatus for some birthday travels in late March. Shout out to all of my Pisces! 

I’m back in the month of April with two new episodes featuring new friends of mine. The theme that kept coming up in this months conversations is mental health. In this episode I chat with the homie Joseph Bogorad, also known as yourmammothagent on social media. Joseph is a realtor, content creator and someone who likes to recreate in the seasonal sports that are available to him at any given time. We talk about how he ended up living in Mammoth Lakes, influences from his upbringing, and reflect on how all of our yes’ have led us to where we are today. If you’ve ever experienced a time in your life where you’ve asked yourself what younger you would think about where you are now, you’ll enjoy this episode. Enjoy this conversation that was recorded in Joseph's office/studio earlier this winter.

Joseph! Thanks so much for being a guest on Black in Wild! This was a fun conversation for me because not only did I get to know you better but I also got to reflect on my own experience in real time. Which I don’t have the opportunity to do on this show very often. One of my favorite parts was hearing you describe what it feels like to ice skate or snowboard. Because I can definitely relate and I have heard so many other people describe that same feeling when they’re doing an activity that brings them joy. Thanks for sharing your story. 

Be sure to check out Joseph’s social media where he not only highlights upcoming homes for sale in Mammoth Lakes but also shares exciting news going on in the town as well. Instagram @yourmammothagent.

And don't forget to visit the Black in Wild website for all things Black in Wild. Blog posts will be coming soon!

Lately I have been reminded of the goal I set for my younger self. College aged Deja who studied History and Anthropology but wasn’t sure quite what to do with those majors other than teaching. And I remember coming to the conclusion that whatever I did, I wanted to be a voice for people/places/things that could not speak for themselves. I recently realized that that idea has subconsciously led me to work that involves me advocating for people and places. To be honest, I strongly believe that is what led me to creating Black in Wild. There are voices and stories that some people want to silence or erase altogether. Now more than ever, I am thankful to have created this space where I and others from underrepresented backgrounds can take up space.

Sticking to the theme of the month, this episode features another badass woman, one of my first friends in Mammoth, Rachel. Rachel taught herself how to snowboard, has hiked the JMT, and is an advocate for outdoor education for all. She herself has experienced the benefits of nature and music, both things that she has sought to provide for others. This episode will make you laugh, cry, and think about your own why. This episode is for all women, but especially trans women who don’t always see themselves represented in outdoor spaces.

Rachel! Thank you for being a guest on Black in Wild! Thank you for sharing the journey you have been on of self discovery. One of the parts of your story that resonated with me the most was how nature has really shaped the trajectory of your life. In moments when the rest of the world feels scary, unwelcoming, and uncertain nature provides the greatest escape where the true life lessons lie. Like you, I too do not see much representation of people like me in the outdoors. But regardless we are out here girl! And we deserve to be here and represent just as much as anyone else. This conversation was so healing for me, I hope it was for Rachel and those of you listening. If you take anything away from this episode is that we should lean into the people, the places, and the things that brings us peace.

I would share her social media with you but her account is set to private. However, you can check out the Black in Wild website for all things black in wild. And be sure to check back bi-weekly for more stories from underrepresented communities in relation to the outdoors.

*Note: The opinions and perspectives represented in this conversation are not representative of any agency, company, business, or organization.

Happy Women’s history month! In honor of that I will be highlighting women’s stories, experiences, and voices this month. To kick things off this episode features a close friend and an all around badass woman in her own right. I’ve had so many conversations with my female friends about the pressures from society to look and/or act a certain way. Those pressures are heightened in the outdoor community where if you do not have a certain appearance then you may not be taken as seriously. In this conversation with Nikki, we talk about topics such as body positivity, ADHD, mental health, and overall well being. Nikki is an adult educator, outdoor enthusiast aka dirt bag, and a true ally to all. Like with many of my guests, I’m sure there will be parts of Nikki’s story that resonates with you too. Get ready to laugh, to smile hard, and be inspired to love yourself fiercely.

Nikki! Thank you so much for being a guest on Black in Wild! I truly appreciate your vulnerability and transparency with what your experience has been like in life. Some take-aways I have from our conversation are to place an emphasis on my mental health and overall well being by listening to my body rather than focusing on my “size” or weight. To be more intentional about loving my body and all of its parts because the world is already placing enough pressure on me. And through that, I will find people who really love me and accept me as I am because I’ve set that standard. For the listeners I hope out of all of Nikki’s advice and tips, that there is a part of her story that resonated with you too. The world is harsh enough, please take care of yourselves. Do the things that make you feel good and bring you joy. Because we all deserve it. 

To find more content from Nikki follow her instagram Harts and Crafts. @harts.and.crafts2025 where she focuses on selling potted plants and her many crafty creations. 

Don’t forget to also check out Black in Wild .com for all things Black in Wild. 

Thank you for listening to this episode! Hope you enjoy the additional hours of daylight!

*Note: The opinions and perspectives from this podcast are not representative of any agency, business, or organization.

To continue with the themes of the month, Winter and Black History (because lets be honest, black history is created everyday and should be celebrated all the time!). This episode features a local Mammoth celebrity, Maurice Cooper. Maurice is a former ski instructor, avid adventurer, an actor, and the most sought out MC in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. He is another long time friend of mine that is always bringing high energy.

In this conversation with Maurice, we talk about Maurice’s passion for traveling and seeking out new experiences. I hope this conversation inspires you to say yes more! Let’s get into the episode!

Maurice, thank you for such an inspiring and thought provoking conversation! It was a pleasure getting to know your story better. You reminded me that leaning into the things that bring you joy will attract your people. Community really can influence your experience. However, the way you stand in your truth does not go unnoticed as well. One of the messages that Maurice ends with is to encourage folks with melanin skin to not be afraid to try something new because it may change your life for the better.

If you want to follow along with Maurice’s adventures you can follow him on instagram at mcooper.entertainment. Maurice often hosts events such as Trivia, Karaoke, and more in various locations around the Eastern Sierra!

Make sure to check out his podcast called the Sheridan Tapes where he plays the character Jerry Price. During the episode Maurice references the play he was in called Driving Miss Daisy. This episode was recorded on January 5th.
I hope that in these trying times the stories and voices amplified on Black in Wild make you feel less alone. Because we are out here and we ain’t going nowhere. See you in two weeks with another episode. The month of March will focus on women’s stories in the outdoors for Women’s History Month. Don’t forget to check out the new Black in Wild website at blackinwild.com for all things Black in Wild.

*Note: The perspective and opinions on Black in Wild are not representative of any agency, organization, or company.