Building Bridges Across Generations
People of African ancestry in the western hemisphere have a rich and dynamic history with the land. Black folx connect with and learn from the earth in ways that have proven to promote the well-being of our spirits, minds, and bodies. Black land-based education, then, is a vehicle towards fostering more connection and well-being for ourselves and our youth, tapping into ancestral African traditions, and moving in solidarity with other peoples in the Americas who embody and honor land-based sustenance, culture, and self-determination.
Oakland Outside Youth Leadership Program
Oakland Outside is an intergenerational outdoor leadership program created through the Land-Based Education Initiative of the Brotherhood of Elders Network
This program creates a safe, joyful, and culturally grounded space where Black and Brown young men can build confidence in the outdoors, strengthen relationships, and develop leadership skills that extend far beyond the trail.
Participants engage in hands-on learning that combines outdoor excursions with personal and professional development. Youth gain practical skills in group facilitation, risk assessment, and community care while also reconnecting with ancestral and cultural relationships to land and nature. The program utilizes a “train the trainer” model where the 12 interns (ages 16-22) design and lead outdoor experiences for local middle and high school students. Together, they build a peer network that makes nature feel accessible and empowers youth and their families to explore, enjoy, and advocate for themselves and the natural world.
What Participants Gain:
Outdoor leadership and group management skills
Foundational natural history, wilderness survival, and first aid skills
Strong peer connections and mentorship from elders
Cultural grounding in African-descended relationships to nature
Transferable skills for careers in environmental fields and beyond
At its core, Oakland Outside is about belonging: ensuring that Black and Brown youth not only feel confident, connected, and capable in the natural world — but see and experience themselves as leaders within it.
Collaboration with Golden Trout Wilderness School
Collaboration with The Golden Trout Wilderness School (GTWS) has been a foundational part of The Brotherhood’s Land-Based-Education (LBE) work since its inception in 2024. GTWS has supported LBE’s fundraising efforts, sponsored our Wilderness First Aid certification courses, and hosted our annual “Blackpacking” trip in the Sierra Nevada mountains. These culminating expeditions are led by outdoor educators from The Brotherhood and supported by GTWS staff, and include a multi-night backcountry experience as well as facilitated group and individual reflective sessions exploring personal development and the natural and cultural history of the Sierra range.
