Outside Mind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering equitable recreation access and opportunity for underserved groups. Our core belief is that every individual should have easy and safe access to nature, benefiting their overall health, well-being and sense of joy.
Through advocacy efforts and the provision of year-round free outdoor recreational activities, we actively dismantle barriers that prevent people from fully experiencing and connecting with nature.
Creating an inclusive and welcoming community for people of color in nature is at the heart of our mission. We collaborate closely with community partners to explore innovative solutions and drive transformative change in the outdoors. Your valuable contribution and support is highly welcomed as we work to achieve our mission.
Currently, our services extend to the North Shore, Massachusetts region and select areas within Greater Boston. We invite you to join us in our pursuit of recreational equity and be a catalyst for positive change, empowering our communities to live happy, adventurous and healthy lives.
Jireh F. Ishaazi founded Outside Mind in 2021 driven by a vision to transform outdoor recreation through improved representation, access, and opportunity for underserved groups. Having experienced the challenges of being a person of color navigating outdoor spaces and encountering various barriers, Jireh embarked on a journey to make a difference.
As a dedicated community leader, Jireh is committed to empowering and enhancing the quality of life for black and brown communities. She actively engages in local initiatives focused on recreation equity & advocacy, conservation stewardship, philanthropy, and racial justice.
Jireh firmly believes that creating meaningful change requires courage, a willingness to learn from history, active listening and respect for one another across differences, building bridges to enable bold action for a better future for all.
To connect with Jireh, please reach out via email at jireh@outsidemind.org or find her on Instagram (@jirehishaazi) and LinkedIn (Jireh F. Ishaazi)