A conversation with Earl B. Hunter Jr. is guaranteed to leave you energized and with a big smile pasted on your face.

Earl B. Hunter Jr. is a guy who likes to talk. Go on a hike with Earl, and you better adjust your mileage expectations, because he stops to chat with virtually every single hiker he passes.

He is a born connector of people—a human bridge—which makes him well-poised to make waves in the outdoor industry with his marketing and consulting firm, Black Folks Camp Too.

In this episode of Straight Talk, Hunter talks with our editorial director, Kristin Hostetter, about how and why he founded his company and why it has him so energized. Hunter shares about his recent battle with Covid-19, the power of the "Unity Blaze," and he even dazzles us with his soulful rendition of "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers.

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Earl B. Hunter, Jr. wants to make Black folks feel safe outdoors, and level the economic playing field in the process.

This story originally appeared in the Winter 2021 issue of The Voice. Read the full digital issue here. I was born by the river in a little tent, oh, and just like the river I've been running ever since." The words seem to fill the vastness around us, floating over the crash of ...read more

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The founder of Black Folks Camp Too discusses the business potential of inclusion

Before Earl B. Hunter Jr. founded his marketing and consulting company Black Folks Camp Too, he was vice president of sales at SylvanSport—a business based in Brevard, North Carolina, known for its ultralight trailers. He was often on the road for his job, traveling all over the ...read more

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Straight Talk with Teresa Baker

In this edition of Straight Talk, Editor-in-Chief Kristin Hostetter sits down with Teresa Baker, co-founder of the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge to discuss how recent events have created an overwhelming surge in interest in the pledge. Here are some soundbites from Baker: We do ...read more

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Straight Talk: Video interview with Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert

Cant see the video above? Click here In this edition of Straight Talk, Editorial Director Kristin Hostetter sits down for a candid Zoom conversation with Ryan Gellert, the new CEO of Patagonia. It's his first U.S. interview since taking the helm. Key takeaways include: ...read more

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Industry Buzz: Boy Scouts embrace DEI, "Black Folks Camp Too," Emerald outlines safety plan, an outdoor industry grad degree

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web DEI-focused merit badge: The Boy Scouts of America announced that a newly created Diversity Merit Badge will be required to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. [The New York Times] Black Folks Camp Too: A new startup is on a ...read more

Talking diversity with Latino Outdoors founder José González

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Video: Straight Talk with Jeremy Jones

In this edition of Straight Talk, Editorial Director Kristin Hostetter sits down for a free-wheeling Zoom conversation with Jeremy Jones, pro snowboarder and founder of Protect Our Winters and Jones Snowboards. The two, who are first cousins, talk about how Jones’ new ...read more

Oboz launches partnership with Black Folks Camp Too

Bozeman, Mont., (February 16, 2021) — Oboz Footwear has partnered with North Carolina-based Black Folks Camp Too (BFCT) in support of its mission to introduce and educate more Black folks, as well as other uninitiated campers and hikers, on the basics and joys of getting into the ...read more

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Straight talk with Rich Hill

In this edition of Straight Talk, Editor-in-Chief Kristin Hostetter sits down for a free-wheeling conversation with Rich Hill, president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. Hill, known as one of the straightest shooters in the outdoor industry, gives us insights on which outdoor ...read more