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[close] Our third book discussion on The Joy Trip Reading Project was Eddy Harris author of South of Haunted Dreams. Held on March 24, 2021 over Zoom and moderated by journalist James Edward Mills, this teleconference explored the intersections of racial discrimination and adventure travel through the remarkable stories of a Black man who has solo-paddled the length of the Mississippi River twice! The author of other books including Mississippi Solo, Native Stranger and Still Life In Harlem, Harris plies his passion for travel in the creation of deeply compelling and insightful narratives. Throughout his long career his way of seeking out unique experiences will undoubtedly inspire new readers of his work to find new adventures of their own.

[close] An interview with Author Carolyn Finney Join The Joy Trip Reading Project for a rousing discussion of the book Black Faces White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors with author Dr. Carolyn Finney. Why are African Americans so underrepresented when it comes to interest in nature, outdoor recreation, and environmentalism? In this thought-provoking study, Carolyn Finney looks beyond the discourse of the environmental justice movement to examine how the natural environment has been understood, commodified, and represented by both white and black Americans. Bridging the fields of environmental history, cultural studies, critical race studies, and geography, Finney argues that the legacies of slavery, Jim Crow, and racial violence have shaped cultural understandings of the great outdoors and determined who should and can have access to natural spaces.

[close] In 1971 Francis witnessed a catastrophic oil spill in San Francisco Bay. The greasy black sludge that coated resident sea life and stained nearby beaches left an indelible impression him as well. As a young man at the dawn of the environmental movement he felt compelled to act. But what can one person do to change a society bent on its own destruction?�� Left with little do that would make a difference in world, Francis abandoned all forms of motorized transport. He started walking. But still hoping to make an impact on his community and himself Francis took his devotion a step future and swore a vow of silence. For 17 years he did not utter a word. And yet he still managed to earn college and graduate degrees in natural science and environmental studies.Francis went on to become the United Nation’s goodwill ambassador to the world’s grassroots communities and the U.S. Government hired him to help establish policies for the management of oil spills. Francis is a visiting associate professor a

[close] Join the Joy Trip Reading Project for our fourth writer conversation with Dr. J. Drew Lanham author of the Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature. As we continue to explore the Black American experience in the outdoors this title offers a first-hand account of one person’s sense of place as defined by nature. Moderated by James Edward Mills the discussion will delve into the living memory of a passionate ornithologist and avid bird watcher who often imagines himself the object of curiosity. How rare is it to see a Black birder? “In me, there is the red of miry clay, the brown of spring floods, the gold of ripening tobacco. I am, in the deepest sense, colored.�� J. Drew Lanham is a native of Edgefield, South Carolina, and an Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Master Teacher at Clemson University. Lanham is a birder, naturalist, and hunter-conservationist who has published essays and poetry in publications including Orion, Flycatcher, and Wilderness, an

[close] J. Robert “J.R.�� Harris has been exploring and backpacking long distance for more than 60 years in some of the most remote and inhospitable wilderness areas in the world, unsupported and mostly alone. He has written numerous articles about his experiences, as well as the book we will discuss in this video Way Out There Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker. J.R. is a frequent speaker at schools, universities, and outdoors organizations such as the American Mountain, Sierra Club, Adirondack Mountain Club , Audubon Society, the Explorers Club, L.L. Bean, and REI. His objective is to share his experiences to hopefully motivate others to pursue a healthy outdoor lifestyle. His trail name is School. Harris is also an advocate for more diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the outdoors. He is on the Board of Directors of 118-year-old Explorers Club, and he Chairs the Club’s DEI Committee. J.R. believes DEI will increase the number of people who will spend time in nature, and by getting out there,

[close] On June 30, 2021 at 5PM Central Time The Joy Trip Reading Project hosted our sixth online book discussion with Derick Lugo, author of the Unlikely Thru-Hiker. Prior to the experiences portrayed in his debut memoir, this young writer had never hiked, camped or pitched a tent a day in his life. However, this Brooklyn-born, New York City urbanite hopped a train to Georgia, grabbed a taxi to the beginning of the Appalachian Trail, and then he did as he has always done �� put one foot in front of the other and never looked back. After thru-hiking for 2,192 miles and several thousand more on various different trails, he now feels invincible and plans to cross the Sahara barefoot. (Not really, but when an ambitious spirit is successful, it will strive for even greater accomplishments.) Storytelling is Derick’s forte; he’s the author of The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, a memoir of his 6-month hike of the entire Appalachian Trail, he’s written several articles for outdoor magazines, and short stories for vari

[close] On May 26, 2021 at 5PM Central Time, I’m excited to invite you to join the Joy Trip Reading Project for our fifth online discussion with Michael Twitty author of the Cooking Gene. This remarkable book is the story of Michael’s personal mission to document the connection between food traditions and family history from Africa to America, from slavery to freedom. Begun in 2011, this writing project successfully garnered funding and significant media attention in 2012 to initiate a journey known as The Southern Discomfort Tour. The project and tour continue as Michael visits sites of cultural memory, does presentations on his journey, and visits places critical to his family history while conducting genealogical and genetic research to discover his roots and food heritage. Michael believes that Terroir is in Your Genes. Food is also extremely culturally connected and inherently economic and political. It is a proving ground for racial reconciliation and healing and dialogue. The Cooking Gene seek

[close] Lola Akinmade Åkerström is an award-winning visual storyteller, international bestselling author, and travel entrepreneur. She has dispatched from over 70 countries and her work has been featured in National Geographic, New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, CNN, Travel Channel, Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, Forbes, and many more. She has collaborated with commercial brands such as Dove, Mercedes Benz, Intrepid Travel, Electrolux, and National Geographic Channel, to name a few. Her book, Due North, received the Lowell Thomas Gold Award for Best Travel Book, and she is also the author of international bestselling “LAGOM: The Swedish Secret of Living Well�� available in 18 foreign language editions.  Her latest internationally-acclaimed novel, “In Every Mirror She’s Black��, is a Good Morning America (GMA) Buzz Pick, Amazon Editor’s Pick, an Independent UK “Best Thought-provoking Story��, was shortlisted for the Bad Form Review Book of the Year, and published as a lead hardcover around the world thro

[close] A discussion with Major Carter author of "Reclaiming Your Community: You Don't Have to Move Out of Your Neighborhood to Live in a Better One" Majora Carter is a real estate developer, urban revitalization strategy consultant, MacArthur Fellow and Peabody Award winning broadcaster. She’s responsible for the creation of numerous economic development, technology inclusion & green-infrastructure projects, policies and job training & placement systems. She is also a lecturer at Princeton University’s Keller Center. Majora is quoted on the walls of the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture in DC: “Nobody should have to move out of their neighborhood to live in a better one�� �� which is also the subtitle of her 2022 book, Reclaiming Your Community. Born and raised in the South Bronx, Majora continues to live in the community where she grew up. She is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science (1984), Wesleyan University (1988 BA, Distinguished Alum) and New York University

[close] On Thursday March 23, 2023, The Joy Trip Reading Project welcomed Audrey Peterman, author of "From My Jamaican Gully To The World and Back". Mrs. Peterman is Co-founder and President of Earthwise Productions. She is a nationally renowned author and advocate for the National Park System who is widely recognized as a leader in efforts to celebrate the diversity of Americans in the natural, cultural and historic treasures of our public lands. She speaks prolifically around the country on the benefits of our land and water resources and shares them widely through social media. Her work has been recognized with multiple national honors including the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Environmental Hero Award, 2000 and Black Meeting & Tourism Distinguished Service Award 2013. Mrs. Peterman has served on the boards of in multiple conservation-focused organizations including the National Parks Conservation Association (5 terms) the Association of Partners for Public Lands (2 terms) the

[close] A community discuss of the Joy Trip Reading Project with author Mirna Valerio On January 21, 2022 James Edward Mills spoke to this ultra marathon runner and educator. Mirna Valerio is no stranger to the important of education in personal growth and development. A native of Brooklyn, New York she worked as teacher, a choral director and cross-country coach. And among her personal achievements claims the roles ultra-distance, a relatively cyclist and skier, and author. Mirna's athletic story has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Runner’s World, on NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in the viral REI-produced documentary short, The Mirnavator. And I personally had the pleasure of profiling her in Outside Magazine in a piece call the New Faces of Adventure. Her own writing has been featured in Women’s Running Magazine, Self Magazine Online, Outside Online, and Runner's World Magazine. In 2018 she was chosen as a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, and in early 2020 appeared on the Kelly Cl

[close] On Thursday April 27, 2023, at 5PM Central Time The Joy Trip Reading Project was honored to host an online discussion with Leah Penniman, author of “Black Earth Wisdom ~ Soulful Conversations with Black Environmentalists�� Leah Penniman is a Black Kreyol farmer, mother, soil nerd, author, and food justice activist from Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, NY. She co-founded Soul Fire Farm in 2010 with the mission to end racism in the food system and reclaim our ancestral connection to land. As Co-ED and Farm Director, Leah is part of a team that facilitates powerful food sovereignty programs - including farmer training for Black & Brown people, a subsidized farm food distribution program for communities living under food apartheid, and domestic and international organizing toward equity in the food system. Leah has been farming since 1996, holds an MA in Science Education and a BA in Environmental Science and International Development from Clark University, and is a member of clergy in West African

[close] On Thursday September 21, 2023, at 5PM Central Time The Joy Trip Reading Project hosted an online discussion with Baratunde Thurston, author of “How To Be Black�� Thurston tells a better story of us, weaving together threads of race, technology, democracy and climate through his work as an Emmy-nominated host, producer, writer, and public speaker. He is the host and executive producer of the PBS television series America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston, creator and host of How To Citizen with Baratunde which Apple named one of its favorite podcasts of 2020, and a founding partner of the new media startup Puck. His comedic memoir, How To Be Black, is a New York Times best-seller. In 2019, he delivered what MSNBC’s Brian Williams called “one of the greatest TED talks of all time.�� Thurston is unique in his ability to integrate and synthesize different and difficult topics in a style that’s intelligent, compassionate, and humorous. Baratunde serves on the boards of Civics Unplugged and the Brooklyn

[close] On Thursday November 30, 2023, The Joy Trip Reading Project hosted an online discussion with Amber Wendler co-editor of the anthology “Been Outside ~ Adventures of Black Women, Nonbinary and Gender Nonconforming People in Nature��. AMBER WENDLER is a PhD candidate in biological sciences at Virginia Tech and earned a BA in biology from Boston University. She has studied organism and plants in Latin America and across the US. Wendler is passionate about making STEM and the outdoors more inclusive. DR. SHAZ ZAMORE is a teaching assistant professor and STEAM coordinator at Colorado University–Boulder. They apply their background in neuroscience and STEAM communication to their company, Craniate, which makes culturally responsive neuroscience comics and experiment kits for marginalized learners. Zamore is a seasoned snowboarder, runner, and fire performer. Author discussions on the Joy Trip Reading Project are made possible thanks to the support of the Schlecht Family Foundation, the National Ge

[close] On Thursday August 24, 2023 The Joy Trip Reading Project hosted on online discussion with retired National Park Ranger Betty Reid Soskin, author of “Sign My Name to Freedom. In addition to her career with the National Park Service Ranger Soskin is American civil rights activist, historian, and author best known for her contributions at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California. Born on September 22, 1921, her transformative journey with the Park Service began in her 80s when she took on the role of a ranger, a position she held until her retirement at 100 years old. Captivating audiences with her storytelling prowess, Betty illuminated the complexities of American history, shedding light on untold stories and marginalized voices, often by speaking about her own personal life experiences. Her legacy as a trailblazer, educator, and activist continues to inspire generations to strive for a more just and equitable society, where everyone's story is

[close] Welcome to the latest edition of the Joy Trip Reading Project book discussion. I’m your host James Edward Mills. Today I am pleased to introduce to you this month’s author Alison Mariella Desire We’re going to discuss her book "Running While Black". This discussion is particularly important today as it is February 23rd the Three-year anniversary of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate his life that was sadly taken from the world far too soon. I look forward to a great discussion. But before we dive into today’s conversation I’d like to acknowledge that I am screening in to you from Madison, Wisconsin which is the ancestral homeland of the Ho Chunk People, a place they called for time immemorial DeJope. Please, wherever you are in North or South America take a moment to recognize the native people who once called the place where you now live home. I’d like to also thank the Nelson Institute For Environmental Studies at the University of Wis

[close] On Thursday May 18th, 2023, at 5PM Central Time the Joy Trip Reading Project hosted an online discussion with Dave and Ilyssa Kyu, editors of "Campfire Stories Vol. II Inspired by America’s beloved national parks, Campfire Stories Volume II is a collection of modern prose, poetry, and folklore, featuring commissioned, new, and existing works from a diverse group of writers who share a deep appreciation of the natural world. While the original Campfire Stories captured many historic tales reflecting the first 100 years of the National Park Service, this completely new collection depicts the parks as we know and experience them today, featuring stories from Grand Canyon, Everglades, Olympic, Glacier, and Joshua Tree National Parks and the Appalachian and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails. Contributors to this anthology of stories represent a wide range of voices with different backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences, including from the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Award winners suc

[close] Rue is the founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, a nonprofit organization and social community reconnecting Black Americans with natural spaces through outdoor recreational activities. She oversees a volunteer leadership team of 80 men and women who represent 30 of the United States. Through Outdoor Afro, Rue shares opportunities to build a broader community and leadership in nature. Since starting Outdoor Afro in 2009 as a blog, Mapp has captured the attention and imagination of millions through a multimedia approach grounded in personal connections and community organizing. Growing from its grassroots beginning, Outdoor Afro now enjoys national sponsorship and is recognized by major organizations for promoting the importance of diversity in the outdoors. In this online discussion we talk about her book Nature Swagger - Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors. Thanks to the Nelson Institute For Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin Madison and to the financial support

[close] On Thursday July 22, 2023, at 5PM Central Time the Joy Trip Reading Project hosted a conversation with former acting National Park Service Director David Vela, author of “Hola Ranger: My Journey Through the National Parks.�� David Vela is the former superintendent of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. He has also worked as the National Park Service's director for workforce and inclusion; director of the National Park Service Southeast region; and superintendent of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site and Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Vela has held other positions at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in Texas, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park in Virginia; Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nominated as director of the National Park Service in 2018, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance Vela's nomination, but he was never confirmed by the Sen