Compost, Cotton & Cornrows

Picture this: You’ve got three young kids in Oakland, you're navigating a divorce, you're back in school—oh, and you're also launching a national movement. Sound impossible? Not for Rue Mapp as  the unstoppable force behind OUTDOOR AFRO, Rue didn’t just build an organization; she sparked a Renaissance that’s reconnecting Black communities with the great outdoors.

In this episode, we unpack the often untold history of Black people’s relationship with the land—one of refuge, resilience, and connection. We also tackle the modern barriers that persist and why true sustainability begins with taking care of yourself. Rue gets real about creating welcoming outdoor spaces, using technology as a bridge, and harnessing the power of community through experiences. Plus, we dive into her stunning coffee table book, Nature Swagger—a love letter to the intergenerational joy of Black folks thriving in the outdoors. But this conversation goes beyond hiking or camping. It’s about reclaiming space, rewriting narratives, and remembering that we are nature.

So lace up those boots (or just step outside your front door) and tap into what sustains you—because this episode is all about finding your way back to what’s always been yours. 

https://outdoorafro.org

Compost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!

@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows

What happens when the world’s top-selling Black woman nature photographer steps behind the lens? SUBLIMENESS! In this episode, we venture into the breathtaking world of Wild Gina, an intimate landscape photographer whose work isn’t just art—it’s a time capsule for the planet.

Gina takes us on a tour on how she got into nature photography, the deeply rooted ancestral connections guiding her work, and the real talk on being a Black woman in a space that too often overlooks voices like hers. We explore one of her powerful mutual aid initiatives, 'Gift a Black Person a Print,' a visionary program where white folks (often allies) sponsor artwork for Black individuals, fostering connection, representation, and community through art.

From lush forests to the raw beauty of fallow lands, we’re sharing a perspective on sustainability from the lens of Black artistry —rooted in ancestral wisdom, lived experience, and the images that literally keeps our world’s story alive. This isn’t just photography—it’s an reawakening of how we see nature, history, and ourselves.

Brace yourself—once you see the world through Gina’s lens, there’s no going back. 

https://www.wildgina.com/

Compost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!

@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows

Experience a beautiful ride into the world of sustainable RE-education with Mahdiyyah—aka the Fabric Alchemist—who’s here to prove that fabric upcycling is more than just a trend; it’s a catalyst for revolutionizing education! In this electric conversation, Mahdiyyah unravels her journey through the overwhelmingly white-dominated environmental scene, where she learned that “sustainability” was just another word for resourcefulness that Black folks BEEN adopting. With grit, warmth and heart, she shows us how inter-generational knowledge sharing (especially in garden classrooms) is the OG blueprint for sustainability.

But wait—there’s more! She dives deep into the parallels between the fashion world and the food apartheid system (yep, we’re going there) to unpack how Black and brown communities are being boxed out of accessing natural materials, all thanks to discriminatory urban planning.

And Mahdiyyah’s not just talking the talk—her groundbreaking research and relentless studies are connecting the dots, exposing the inequalities, and building a vibrant ecosystem of badass non-traditional educators and skill-sharers. This is more than a conversation; it’s a call to action wrapped in fierce creativity and unapologetic truth. Don’t sleep on this one!

Compost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!

@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows

In this episode, Nia Thomas enlightens us on shaking up the luxury fashion game—because, let’s be honest, the industry is drowning in poorly made fast fashion nonsense. As the mastermind behind her eponymous brand, Nia shares her journey from self-doubt to building a sustainable, high-end fashion house rooted in intention, integrity, and undeniable Black beauty. She and Dominique Drakeford dive into what it really takes to build and run an ethically operated independent brand with soul—the highs, the headaches, and everything in between. In an industry often driven by ego, they explore the power of collaboration as she manifests her dream of creating a full-fledged luxury house, the sting (and flattery?) of imitation, and why true sustainability is all about integrity, self-care, craftsmanship and creativity. Tune in for a joyous convo that’s both life affirming and insightful!

"So it was really important for me to work with artisans that I handpicked it and hand selected myself, who've been working on this weaving, knitting, crocheting, sewing techniques for multiple generations within their families. Because I knew that if the quality wasn't there, I didn't want to have the brand. It's like, WHAT'S THE POINT OF MAKING MORE POORLY MADE CLOTHING. THE WORLD HAS ENOUGH OF THAT."

" I think if you can't practice that intentionality in your own life, how are you supposed to bring that into your business?"

"With the homogenization of fashion, we're just so used to the same basic concepts of clothes and marketing. People want fashion to be able to dream."

Compost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!

@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows

DISCLAIMER - this episode features stories connected to self transitioning.

EPISODE 1:  Get ready for a lively and unapologetically real chat with Dr. Tiara Moore—a powerhouse marine ecologist and the no-nonsense founder of Black in Marine Science. With a mix of sass and science, Dr. Moore spills the tea on her journey, from diving into the deep blue to making waves for Black scientists in a field that desperately needs shaking up. She doesn’t hold back as she shares the challenges of breaking barriers, the importance of community, and why sustainability requires resources. 

The conversation also highlights the intense impact of 2020 and how it sparked an advocacy movement for Black marine scientists. Dr. Moore also serves up wisdom on joy-centered leadership (because, let’s face it, we could all use more joy) - a blueprint for saving community, culture and climate. This conversation is equal parts inspiring, hilarious, and a masterclass in staying authentic. Buckle up! 

"Imagine the scientists who are supposed to be saving the Black community, if you will, from climate change, sea level rise and nutrient pollution are about to no longer be in this world because white people are bullying them at work. Like, I can't even do my job of helping my community out with a sea-level rise because I'm in the bathroom crying. No, fuck that. No, we're not gonna do that anymore!" - Dr. Tiara Moore

Compost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!

@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows

Hello, my name is Dominique Drakeford and welcome to Compost, Cotton & Cornrows!

In this exciting trailer episode, we give you a sneak peek into what Compost, Cotton and Cornrows is all about. Here’s what you can expect:

• This space is where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling across a myriad of industries and interests including agriculture, fashion, art, maternal health, science, education, policy, marketing, wellness community building and so much more!
• I’m you’re host - Dominique Draekford -  a mother of 2, non-traditional environmental justice educator, published writer, independent researcher, content creator and creative storyteller that has been a leader in reimagining sustainability and social justice for the past 15+ years.
• This podcast is perfect for all audiences to learn and engage with a wide range of topics rooted in cultural sustainability and diving into environmental, social and ecological regenerative practices. 

Whether you’re here to learn, find new people to connect with or catch a vibe - you’re in the right place! 

Follow to join us on this journey, and don’t forget to share this trailer with your friends who are interested in the expansive and very nuanced conversations around sustainability. 

📩 Stay Connected

• Follow us on social media: @Compost_Cotton_Cornrows

💬 We’d Love to Hear from You!
Leave us a review or drop a comment about what you’re most excited to hear on the show.

Compost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!

@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows