Sun Outdoors Partners with Outdoor Afro to Amplify Black Leadership and Connections in Nature

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - [February 21, 2022] - Sun Outdoors, a leader in outdoor hospitality with more than 175 resorts and campgrounds across the United States and Canada, today announced a partnership with Outdoor Afro, a national not-for-profit organization that encourages and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Joining forces in a long-term partnership to amplify Black joy in the outdoors, Outdoor Afro is bringing together its volunteer leaders and community for a variety of year-round experiential activities, events and opportunities paired with and supported by Sun Outdoors' transformative outdoor offerings.

The Sun Outdoors and Outdoor Afro partnership will provide inspirational experiences that embrace and grow inclusion in outdoor recreation, nature and conservation. It will include leadership conferences, immersive Q&As and fundraising events. The partnership will officially kick off with Outdoor Afro's 2022 Leadership Training at Sun Outdoors River Run RV Resort in Granby, Colorado in April.

"Our Outdoor Afro Leadership Training is even more special this year because we're gathering in person after two years of virtual workshops," said Chaya Harris, Outdoor Afro's National Program Director. "River Run RV Resort will provide us with that family reunion feel."

Beginning April 14, the Leadership Training brings together Outdoor Afro's 100 volunteer leaders from 56 cities across the country for three days to experience a conference like no other. Volunteer leaders, staff, board members and longtime partners will participate in interactive workshops - from risk management to multigenerational activities in nature to understanding Outdoor Afro's mission goals and strengthening network connections.

"We're proud and excited to have cultivated a connection with Outdoor Afro," said Nate Philippsen, VP/Marketing with Sun Communities, Inc. "With aligned missions, our organizations strive to promote outdoor exploration by encouraging special connections to nature. In addition to our diverse experience offerings such as RV sites, camping, glamping and vacation rentals, we pride ourselves on being inclusive to all and celebrate bringing friends, families and groups together in nature.  We look forward to working in conjunction with Outdoor Afro to offer transformative outdoor experiences, highlighting the many benefits of spending quality time outdoors."

Following the leadership conference, Sun Outdoors and Outdoor Afro will continue to activate initiatives and opportunities throughout the country that further inspire Black connections in nature and provide interactive outdoor experiences.

"As an organization who set out to be a leader in inspiring Black connections to the outdoors, we have found a partner perfectly in alignment with our mission and values," said Outdoor Afro Founder and CEO Rue Mapp. "I've always found freedom and a sense of peace being outdoors. With the help of Sun Outdoors, we can bring even more outdoor experiences to life and connect in nature with a wider community."

"This partnership with Outdoor Afro is an important element in our overall goal as a company, creating a path towards fostering a more diverse society," said Sun Communities, Inc. CFO Karen Dearing, who serves as Executive sponsor of the company's IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) Council.   "Sun is striving to be an informed leader for transformation in the diversity, equity and inclusion space, and this initiative affords us the opportunity to provide the resources to help build a foundation for change.  Through its many programs which focus on the outdoors, Outdoor Afro has the ability to mold our future leaders, and we are extremely proud to be a part of that critical effort."

Outdoor Afro is the nation's leading, cutting-edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. With more than 100 leaders in 56 cities around the country, Outdoor Afro provides safe spaces for generations of Black people to experience and enjoy nature while changing the face of conservation along the way.

For more information on Sun Outdoors, please visit www.sunoutdoors.com and join the community on Instagram @sunoutdoors. For more information on Outdoor Afro, visit www.outdoorafro.com and follow the network on social @outdoorafro.