YOGA
ROOTS Film & Portraits
Poster created by Chad Brown, Chado Creative.
“If we don’t create advocates, the outdoors doesn’t have a voice.”
~Brian Chou, Signature Fly Tier & Certified Health Coach
In my role as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Recreation, Education, and Interpretation Program, I had the honor of producing and project managing a multimedia outdoor film and photo series – from concept to launch – in partnership with Chad Brown, a Nonprofit Leader, Film Director, Cinematographer, Creative Director, & Photographer. Our shared vision was to advance the narrative and recognize outdoor recreation leaders of color with connections to Oregon’s State Forests. The result was a film and large-format portrait exhibit highlighting three BIPOC leaders in the outdoor recreation industry. In the films, they shared their stories about connections to state forests (in particular, the Tillamook State Forest) racism and adversity they’ve faced while recreating, and how they work to create a sense of belonging in outdoor spaces for BIPOC communities.
Chad shares that, “Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) have enjoyed outdoor recreation throughout the history of the United States and the creation of the National Parks and before colonization amongst Indigenous groups native to this continent. And yes, this does not cancel the negative of history. We’ve been here! This information, however, should be considered and addressed when learning about the history of outdoor recreation in the United States and today’s recreation amongst BIPOC communities who do recreate and find healing in the outdoors in their unique approach to green outdoor spaces. The ROOTS exhibit focuses on past and present outdoor recreationists who find joy, like BIPOC folks who have accomplished milestones in pursuing the outdoor recreationist community. Their stories deserve more recognition and exposure.”
Meet the story keepers here.
Chad Brown is an accomplished documentary-style portrait and adventure photographer, outdoor enthusiast and Navy veteran. Read more about him here.
Marketing Plan, Channels, & Media
I developed the plan, interview, and some of the copy, in collaboration with staff from Oregon Department of Forestry/Tillamook Forest Center, State Forests Trust of Oregon, Chad Brown, Mercy M’fon, Pam Slaughter, and Brian Chou.
Marketing Channels & Plan
Promote the Opening & Panel Discussion up until June 15th, then promote exhibit in general after that
Media Coverage
•The Astorian is featuring an article about the exhibit
•KTIL TV out of Bay City will live broadcast the panel discussion
•Other TV news and print news outlets have been invited to attend the openings and panel discussion
•ODF is putting out a Press Release
Marketing Channels
•TFC Website
•TFC Lookout E-newsletter
•Facebook page
•Flyers posted at the TFC and forest kiosks
•ODF GovDelivery e-news
•State Forests Trust of Oregon e-newsletter
•Chad Brown’s social media channels and e-news
•Brian Chou’s social media and networks
•Pam Slaughter’s social media channels and networks, People of Color Outdoor •Facebook page and social media
•Mercy M’fon’s social media channels and networks, Wild Diversity’s social media channels, e-news
•Announcements made at TFC on June 15th to visit exhibit and then join us for panel discussion
TFC Marketing Timeline
•May 6 – 12th – Exhibit info posted on website with the poster.
•First teaser video is published on the TFC YouTube channel
•Second video published soon
•Week of May 13th, TFC will show the “official trailer – vertical”
•Week of May 20th – TFC will run the alternate video
•Week of May 27th – TFC will continue to rotate the official trailer and alternate videos
Marketing Assets
•ROOTS Teaser videos – 2 different verticals for social media, 2 different horizontals for e-news, websites
•ROOTS poster
•ROOTS description copy
•TFC e-news copy
•Chad’s Bio, Brian, Pam, Mercy’s bios
ROOTS Exhibit Panel Interview Questions & Format
Panelists
Chad Brown – Nonprofit Leader / Film Director / Cinematographer / Creative Director / Photographer; Chado Creative, Love Is King, Soul River, Inc.,
Pamela Slaughter – Founder & Executive Director, People of Color Outdoors
Brian Chou – Instructor & Photographer, Soul River, Inc.; Board Member, Love Is King
Facilitator & Writer: Clarissa Parker, Community Engagement Coordinator, ODF’s REI Program
Intro (5 minutes):
Welcome everyone, thanks for coming! To echo Kelly, I want to give a special shout out to Pam’s group from People of Color Outdoors for being here in the audience today.
I’m also delighted to welcome each of these phenomenal panelists and talk about the Roots Exhibit! Today we have the ROOTS Creative Director, Cinematographer, and Photographer, Chad Brown, and 2 of the 3 featured talent: Pam Slaughter and Brian Chou. The third participant, Mercy M’fon, sadly couldn’t join us today, but they are representing their organization Wild Diversity at a Juneteenth event, so we are glad they are there.
My name is Clarissa Parker and I’m the Community Engagement Coordinator for Oregon Department of Forestry’s Recreation, Education & Interpretation program. I’m here today leading this discussion because I played a small role in serving as the liaison to foster connections that helped this exhibit happen.
Why the impetus for this exhibit and partnership? – Chad and I met back in November 2022 based on a suggestion from my predecessor. We got to chatting and as we learned more about each other, our work, mission/goals, and we found common ground, Chad pitched the idea to use his talents and expertise to create a platform for outdoor recreation community leaders of Color who also have a personal connection with the Tillamook State Forest or Tillamook Forest Center, and could share about their identities and experiences through art and the outdoors. The exhibit focuses on how their identities are interwoven with nature and their recreation disciplines, how they’ve experienced racism in the outdoors yet continue to find and create solace outside, how they facilitate safe spaces for People of Color.
The idea is unique and holistically captures the REI program values, and Chad has the unique talent and ability to carry out this work.
So, now that I’ve shared a bit about the partnership and sparks that ignited this exhibit, let’s get started with the questions.
We have 6 questions with one possible bonus question, and want to leave about 15 minutes for audience Q&A, so we have about 30 minutes for the formal portion, roughly 4 minutes a question.
Questions (~30 minutes total, 3-4 minutes each)
We’ll start by having you each introduce yourselves, your professions and/or recreation disciplines, and your nonprofit(s) or business you represent.
Note: Mercy M’fon also founded their nonprofit Wild Diversity, with the mission is to help create personal connection to the outdoors for Black, Indigenous, all People of Color (BIPOC) & the LGBTQ2S+ communities, through outdoor adventures and education.
Question for Chad: This exhibit started as an idea with my predecessor a few years ago because of your shared love of fly fishing, and your professional work as a conservationist and wilderness-focused cinematographer, creative director, and photographer. We’d love to hear more about your vision and the purpose behind this exhibit. What does it mean to you? How does it support and mutually reinforce your work as an artist, nonprofit leader, and advocate?
Brian and Pam, in the Roots film, you both talk about your backgrounds, recreation disciplines, and connections to nature, and Chad, your identity as a photographer, film and creative director, and outdoor nonprofit leader are inextricably intertwined. Can you all talk to us more about your backgrounds, what led you to committing both your personal and professional lives to the outdoors, and the nonprofits you founded or represent?
Another important part of this exhibit was that we wanted to feature BIPOC leaders who have a personal connection to the Tillamook State Forest or Tillamook Forest Center, specifically through recreation or education experiences. Brian and Pam, what are some of the places here that you personally connect with, what have your experiences been, and what do they mean to you?
We’ve talked about spending time outside, and this is sadly not new, but there has been emerging social dialogue about how outdoor spaces don’t feel safe for everyone, particularly people of color, due to targeted racism you encounter while hiking, fishing etc., and this is something you all touch on in the film. I recently heard a quote by physician and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté (Gah-bore Mah-tay) that I think somewhat encapsulates part of the purpose behind the work you all do: “Safety is not the absence of threat, it’s the presence of connection.” Can you talk to us more about how those experiences have helped to light a fire in you all to create safe, welcoming spaces for BIPOC folks outdoors? What can everyone and anyone doto help foster safe environments outside, help everyone feel safe, and help remove barriers for folks?
How can people here and at home help champion and support these shared goals, your nonprofits, and this work?
Turn it over to the audience first, then end on the Bonus Question: What’s one thing you want to share, could be a piece of advice, an idea, a quote, etc. that you haven’t already?
Notes/References
Juneteenth Weekend & Father’s Day
Chad, you founded Soul River, Inc. And Love Is King, which Brian serves on the board for and is a fly-fishing instructor and photographer for Soul River, and Pam, you founded People of Color Outdoors which just recently earned your 501c3 nonprofit status (Congrats!). These are all different nonprofits, but they all share a common ground: to create safe outdoor experiences for people of color, to spark personal connections to and stewardship of nature, to nurture a lasting feeling of belonging in nature, and champions for the environment.
Closing (2 minutes)
•Thank everyone for coming
•Invite attendees to stay and enjoy refreshments in the Pavillion only (no outside food in the main Exhibit Hall), talk to the panelists, or visit the Roots exhibit
•Directions for accessing the Roots Exhibit – walking around to the front of the building. If you have some mobility challenges, let me know.
•Reminder that the Exhibit will be here through September 15th, so feel free to come back with friends, let people know about it!
•If you are interested in support this work or want to know more about it, we have materials here from Love Is King, Soul River, Inc. and People of Color Outdoors, Wild Diversity, and The Trust, or you can talk to the panelists or Kelly to learn more.
•If you’re interested in attending some more programs and events here, head to TFC’s website.
Thanks again!
Featured in the Tillamook County Pioneer.
Roots Exhibit Tillamook Forest Center website post.