2025 Keynote Presenters & Panelists - BIPOC Outdoors at NMU

James Edward Mills is a 2014 Fellow of the Mountain & Wilderness Writing Program of the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada and the 2016 recipient of the Paul K. Petzoldt Award For Environmental Education. As a freelance journalist and an independent media producer in a career that spans more than 20 years, he specializes in sharing stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving and practices of sustainable living.

James has worked in the outdoor industry since 1989, when he worked as a guide, outfitter, independent sales representative, writer, and photographer. He is the author of The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors, which was named by Outside Magazine as one of the 10 “Outdoor Books that Shaped the Last Decade.” James is also the co-writer/co-producer of the documentary film “An American Ascent.”

His next project is titled The Black American Traveler’s Guide to Our National Parks, an illustrated tour through America’s historic sites and monuments, highlighting the role that people of color have always played in the formation of the United States. With skills in audio storytelling, James’ radio production credits include Wisconsin Public Radio, the Public Radio Exchange, American Public Media’s Marketplace, and the Public Radio International programs To The Best of Our Knowledge and The Tavis Smiley Show. In recognition for his work in sharing the important history and legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers and their efforts at the dawn of the National Park Service James was named a Yosemite National Park Centennial Ambassador in 2016.

As a faculty assistant at the University of Wisconsin Nelson Institute For Environmental Studies, James teaches a summer course for undergraduate students on diversity, equity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and public land management called Outdoors For All. James lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife and two lovable dogs.

Kyle T. Mays (he/him) is an Afro-Indigenous (Saginaw Chippewa) writer and scholar of Afro-Indigenous history, urban studies, and contemporary popular culture. He is a Professor of African American Studies, American Indian Studies, and History at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of four books, including Hip Hop Beats, Indigenous Rhymes: Modernity and Hip Hop in Indigenous North America (SUNY Press, 2018); An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States (2021); City of Dispossessions: Indigenous Peoples, African Americans, and the Creation of Modern Detroit (2022); Rethinking the Red Power Movement with Sam Hitchmough (2024). He has a forthcoming (Spring 2026) book to be published by Haymarket tentatively titled, "Braiding Kinship: Histories and Futures of Afro-Indigenous Solidarity."

Garrett Dempsey is the lead Sierra Club staff with Detroit Outdoors. His experiences growing up in San Francisco and organizing with communities in Oakland, California have shaped his passion for connecting urban youth with the outdoors and nature. Garrett is passionate about equitable access to nature and expanding the definition of what makes people conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts. Garrett is also the volunteer chair of the Sierra Club Detroit Inspiring Connections Outdoors program and he serves on the Executive Committee for the Sierra Club Southeast Michigan Group.

Tiawanna Ezell is a dedicated Grand Rapidian passionate about serving her community. In her current role as the , she works tirelessly to enhance the lives of residents through meaningful initiatives.

A proud mother of three beautiful daughters, Tiawanna cherishes her roots in Grand Rapids and is committed to making the city a vibrant and inclusive place for everyone. Her involvement in outdoor spaces began four years ago, when she started creating inclusive environments and leading kayaking adventures on the Grand River for Black and Brown communities.

This will be Tiawanna's second year partnering with the national organization Outdoor Afro as a volunteer leader. She will continue to guide local community members on monthly outdoor adventures and experiences, fostering a deeper connection with nature and promoting diversity in outdoor activities.

Alice Jasper (she/they) is a sustainability professional and outdoor enthusiast. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Alice relocated to Michigan, where she attended college at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula before putting down roots in Grand Rapids, MI. Today, Alice is the creator, producer, and host of “Color Out Here”, a media platform and community organizing project intended to explore the opportunities and barriers to inclusion faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. Color Out Here works to build access and belonging in Nature for BIPOC through public learning, amplifying representation and examining the braided narratives of ‘place’.

Asha (she/her) is a queer trans-racial adoptee residing on the stolen homelands of the Dakota people, presently known as Saint Paul, Minnesota.

As an outdoor educator and founding organizer of BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities, Asha facilitates safe and empowering outdoor programs by listening to community, leveraging resources, and centering the wisdom, experience, and joy of those who are most marginalized.

Asha loves to be on the water or in the woods and is a self-proclaimed sunset chaser. She is the cat mom of Slay (short for Mouse Slayer), and the proud auntie of three nephews, whom she affectionately refers to as her Lil’ Homies.

Vanessa Yvette is an Afro-Cubana Earth Ceremonialist and founder of Forest Bath Miami, a nature-based wellness organization rooted in ancestral healing, eco-therapy, and outdoor reclamation. She creates immersive, culturally grounded experiences that honor the land, restore BIPOC presence in nature, and nurture collective care. Through ritual, storytelling, and deep communion with the Earth, Vanessa guides others back to the sacred truth that nature has always been our original healer and home.

Lorena Aguayo-Márquez is the Community Impact Manager at WGVU Public Media, where she leads initiatives that amplify diverse voices, foster community impact, and address critical issues through storytelling, partnerships, and outreach. Her work centers on Color Out Here, Mutually Inclusive, and Living West Michigan, segments that strengthen belonging through engaging storytelling. Outside of WGVU, Lorena leads Latino Outdoors GR, creating inclusive outdoor experiences that celebrate culture and community. Passionate about equity, social impact, and connection, she builds bridges between media, nature, and underrepresented voices across Michigan.

Grant Gliniecki (He/They) is the founder and President of Giitigan, an Anishinaabe community garden in Nkwejong // Lansing, MI (“Where Rivers Meet”). Through Giitigan, Grant cultivates Anishinaabe food, language, nature engagement, and science in an urban setting. Complementing this work, Grant serves as the Outdoor Policy Coordinator for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, where he supports state legislators working on outdoor recreation, education, access, and equity as well as state/Tribal relationships.

Holding degrees in Anthropology (B.S., University of Rochester) and Community Sustainability (M.S., Michigan State University), Grant's expertise lies in Indigenous science, outdoor engagement, and public land relationships. He champions outdoor recreation as a tool for fostering shared values on complex environmental issues, while advancing equity, opportunity, and health for all."