MEET THE CREW
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MEET THE CREW •
MELAE
co-founder + executive director
she/her
Melanie, a dynamic entrepreneur, devoted mother, and social justice activist, was born and (mostly) raised in Allentown, PA, with a childhood enriched by summers spent in the Dominican Republic. She passionately crafts culturally important bread and pastries for her community through her business, Made by Lino.
The inspiration to launch Afros in Nature struck her in the summer of 2020, amid a wave of civil unrest. Motivated by a deep commitment to better serve her community, she envisioned a space that fosters accessibility to outdoor recreation for People of Color. In these challenging times, Melanie believes in the importance of collective uplifting and care.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Melanie shares, "Growing up, I was always told to stay away from outdoor spaces in this country because that's where bad things happen to people like 'us' - if we travel alone. For me, it was hard to go into the woods for the first time, but I chose to shift my thought process in my early 20s and really take in all of the benefits of nature. Once you find your rhythm in nature, you'll want to keep giving yourself the space to connect with Mother Earth and find healing within yourself while building a better relationship with the planet. We live in an area full of beautiful trails and sights to see, and we should all have the right to enjoy it without fearing for our lives. This space provides a community that allows us all to build confidence existing in nature here in the Lehigh Valley."
Melanie's journey is a testament to resilience and transformation, where her roles as an entrepreneur, mother, and activist seamlessly converge. Her favorite outdoor activities include gardening, foraging for edible treasures, paddle boarding, long walks, and being surrounded by a body of water whenever possible.
MARV
creative lead + secretary
he/any
Marvin (he/any pronouns) is a blooming creative who loves to heal through laughter.
Born a Jersey boy, Marvin grew up in the suburbs of Whitehall, PA, and earned his B.S. in Kinesiology at Temple University in 2020 before returning to the Lehigh Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having never taken advantage of the lush landscape of the Lehigh Valley and its surrounding ecosystems before moving to Philadelphia for his undergrad, Marvin bashfully attended one of AiN’s earliest events. There, he met a thriving collective of BIPOC individuals who taught him about the importance of solidarity in spaces seldom welcoming to melanated and marginalized individuals. From then on, he’s leveraged his public health educational background and newfound adoration for nature in tandem.
With a penchant for challenging his body to all kinds of movement, Marvin enjoys weightlifting, paddleboarding bouldering, rollerskating and leisurely bike rides (when he remembers he has a bike). He devotes his reconnection to nature to AiN and plans to continue honoring his passion for equitable recreation for as long as he has the pleasure of experiencing life.
Marvin supports AiN’s efforts by expanding its digital creative presence and welcoming old and new faces at over 40 meetups with his signature jaunty energy. He can’t wait to meet you!
ELZABETH
outdoor rec coordinator + chair
she/her
Elizabeth Allen (she/her) is a leader, mentor, student, teacher, guide, helper and healer.
Born in New York City, and raised in a more rural part of PA, Elizabeth has loved the outdoors since childhood. Growing up in predominantly white spaces, Elizabeth is keenly aware of the lack of known diversity outdoors and has been advocating for, and creating opportunities for BIPOC and other under-represented humans in nature. She was often one of the few, if not the only person of color attending mountain bike races, going hiking, and exploring nature spaces like national parks.
In 2021, Elizabeth discovered Afros in Nature and as they say, the rest is history. She quickly bonded with the people and the mission of Afros and joined on as one of the Outdoor Recreation Coordinators.
Elizabeth is responsible for scheduling the majority of AiN’s outdoor activities each season and creating the event calendar. Her favorite thing is assisting in hosting events and helping create fun, safe experiences for people of color in the outdoors. Elizabeth also serves as the Core Crew Chair (AiN’s Board of Directors). When outside, Elizabeth enjoys walking in local parks, hiking, bike riding, paddleboarding, photography, and creating videos.
DGHT
outdoor rec coordinator + core crew member
he/him
Dwight (he/him) was born in Germany but raised in Georgia. Due to his time in the military, he has lived in several different locations over the years.
Professionally, he is an Environmental Scientist. Being an environmentalist is his way of being a representative for others who look like him in a field where fellow Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) might feel like they don't belong. It's his way of teaching about nature and helping others form a connection with the natural world around them, helping create a better understanding of the impact being in nature has on us mentally and physically. His military experience brings a plethora of outdoor knowledge to the collective. Being around fellow Black and Brown people who share similar interests and a deep love for the outdoors makes him feel a sense of belonging.
Dwight is one of two Outdoor Recreation Coordinators and assists in organizing and setting up outdoor recreation events. He also serves on the Core Crew (AiN’s Board of Directors).
Dwight has tons of experience hiking, snowshoeing, camping, backpacking, biking, and other outdoor activities! He also enjoys photography and searching for wildlife. Being in nature brings him joy, a sense of freedom, and peace.