Louisville-based Black Azz Camping is introducing the outdoors to Black adults and children. Postindustrial talks to its founder about reconnecting Black communities to the land.
Brittiney Griffin is a community leader, program developer, and advocate for Black liberation through nature, education, and sustainability. As the founder of Black Azz Camping, she creates culturally immersive outdoor experiences—group hikes, wellness retreats, and an annual camping trip.
Griffin also leads Junior Black Campers, a youth mentorship program teaching outdoor survival skills, leadership, and emotional wellness.
Her work is deeply rooted in restoring the Black relationship to nature, especially within the urban ecosystem, where she champions green spaces, environmental education, and sustainable living practices.
Through Custom Designs Academy, Griffin empowers youth with digital tools and creative skills, bridging the tech divide in underserved communities. From trail to tech, Brittiney is committed to building a sustainable future where Black people thrive—mind, body, and soul—while reclaiming our rightful place as stewards of the Earth and innovators of tomorrow.
Check out an excerpt from our recent conversation.
Postindustrial: So, how many camping excursions have you been on?
Griffin: Since we started in 2024, we have done four camps – three with hikes and one kayaking. So far, it’s been a very busy year for camping and creating new partnerships.
Postindustrial: Who have you partnered with so far?
Brittiney: We are partners with Bernheim Forest, Kentucky Ag Development Association, Jefferson Memorial Forest, Black Roots Farm, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Change Today Change Tomorrow, as well as the Kentucky Black Farmers Association. I know I’m missing some others. But yeah, we’ve been pedal to the metal.
We also have our Junior Black Campers program the mission is to cultivate a sense of belonging in nature, self, and conservation particularly for black youth ages 6-16, who have historically been underrepresented in outdoor spaces., which is a similar concept that incorporates a social emotional learning component and we meet twice a week.
Postindustrial: Are you planning to do any winter camping?
Griffin: So we did one last well this past January and we were camping out in the snow. It was super cold – it was crazy but it was crazy good too. The ultimate learning experience is this was by choice one of the campers explained. Other people don’t have these choices. Talk about a fireside chat! Perhaps we will do another winter activity.
Postindustrial: How about camping trips outside of Kentucky, say in neighboring West Virginia?
Griffin: I don’t want it to be just a Kentucky thing, right? I want Black Azz Camping to be nationwide. Let me put a scope on it. So, I get very few people from Louisville. But people from here do come, along with those from surrounding areas in Kentucky, and people from all over the nation come out to these events. People have flown in from California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan,, Oklahoma, Texas – they fly just to do these events.
The focal point and intent is getting Black people outside to be and feel safe while in nature. Few white organizations don’t know how to reach Black people. Simply because they don’t understand the type of trauma, stigmas, and access that has been bestowed upon the black community; however, some do understand, they also understand we all breathe the same air at the end of the day. These would be considered BAC Allies. It’s very important to have allies so we can come together for that one common goal, and that’s just to take care of Earth as long as we have it.
Postindustrial: How can folks learn more about you?
Griffin: We can be found at Blackazzcamping.org. I highly encourage people to reach out, donate monetarily or in-kind (we get a lot of first timer who do not have equipment), sponsor a camper, and subscribe to our website to stay in the know.
