Think Out Loud

Broadcast: Wednesday, June 26

In this photo provided by People of Color Outdoors, group members stand in front of the Tillamook Forest Center exhibit "Roots: We Been Here," on June 15, 2024. The exhibit includes a film that features Pamela Slaughter, the group's founder.

In this photo provided by People of Color Outdoors, group members stand in front of the Tillamook Forest Center exhibit "Roots: We Been Here," on June 15, 2024. The exhibit includes a film that features Pamela Slaughter, the group's founder.

Courtesy of Pamela Slaughter

Summer is here, and people are kicking it off by getting out into nature. But those in communities of color can often feel excluded from natural spaces and from participating in activities like hiking and camping.

People of Color Outdoors is a local nonprofit that works to build community in the Portland area through outdoor excursions. It’s recently received multiple grants to continue this work and is kicking off birding programs with the Bird Alliance of Oregon. POCO is also featured in a film that’s part of an exhibit at the Tillamook Forest Center and an upcoming Oregon Field Guide piece.

Pamela Slaughter is the executive director and founder of POCO. She joins us to talk more about the organization’s mission and recent initiatives.

Contact “Think Out Loud®”

If you’d like to comment on any of the topics in this show or suggest a topic of your own, please get in touch with us on Facebook, send an email to thinkoutloud@opb.org, or you can leave a voicemail for us at 503-293-1983. The call-in phone number during the noon hour is 888-665-5865.