Everybody Outside: Finding Joy and Belonging in the Outdoors

Everybody Outside: Finding Joy and Belonging in the Outdoors

The University of Virginia Office for Sustainability, the UVA Equity Center, and Prolyfyck Run Creww are proud to co-host Everybody Outside: Finding Joy & Belonging in the Outdoors: A conversation with Alison Mariella Désir, Black Girls Hike RVA, and Prolyfyck Run Creww, a community event focused on inclusion in outdoor recreation as part of the 2025 Community MLK Celebration.

Event Information

Keynote speaker: Alison Mariella Désir, author of Running While Black.

Panel discussion with Nicole Boyd and Shara Cade, co-founders of Black Girls Hike RVA, and James “Littlez” Dowell, co-founder of Prolyfyck Run Creww.

9:30 AM: Join us for a community hike with Alison Mariella Désir, Black Girls Hike RVA, and Prolyfyck Run Creww at Riverview Park (1909 Chesapeake St, Charlottesville, VA 22902). All levels welcome and encouraged.

11:30 AM: The main event, Everybody Outside: Finding Joy & Belonging in the Outdoors: A conversation with Alison Mariella Désir, Black Girls Hike RVA, and Prolyfyck Run Creww, will be held at the Irving Theater (CODE Building). Lunch will be provided to all registrants. A book signing with Alison Mariella Désir will follow.

This is a free event but registration is required.

This event is co-hosted by the UVA Office for Sustainability, The Equity Center, and Prolyfyck Run Creww.

The event hosts are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. Please contact to request accommodations.

Registration indicates that you would be willing to appear in photos and/or videos taken in public areas of our events, and those photos may be used in later promotional materials. Please let us know via email if you prefer not to be photographed.

Host or Publisher UVA Sustainability