Nature swagger : stories and visions of Black joy in the outdoors / Rue Mapp.

Foreword / by Shelton Johnson -- Introduction: a standing invitation -- Homecoming -- Places of purpose -- Hands on the land -- In the name of joy.

"Nature Swagger presents thirty life-changing stories of self-discovery, courage, and healing in the natural world. Told through first-person narratives, essays, and poems, this uplifting collection celebrates the many ways that outdoor spaces offer Black people opportunities for personal empowerment, connection, and rejuvenation. Readers will immerse themselves in stories told from mountains, redwood forests, city parks, and far-off beaches: joining a woman on her courageous journey up Kilimanjaro, meeting a couple teaching the art of beekeeping in urban Detroit, and following a long-distance swim alongside a pod of dolphins-plus so much more. Interspersed are essays by author and celebrated outdoor leader, Rue Mapp, honoring the rich history and traditions surrounding Black people's relationship to the outdoors....[T]his boundary-breaking collection offers moments of profound beauty and insight, inviting every reader to forge their own meaningful and joyful relationship with the natural world." --back cover.