Rue Mapp
Keynote Speaker: Award-Winning Founder & CEO of Outdoor Afro; Public Lands Champion, Outdoor Gear Designer & Author of "Nature Swagger"
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Rue Mapp Biography
Rue Mapp is a trailblazing leader in outdoor recreation and conservation, best known as the Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, the nation’s foremost not-for-profit organization celebrating and inspiring Black leadership and connections in nature. With decades of leadership experience, Mapp has transformed a personal blog into a national movement operating in over 70 markets across the United States. Under her vision, Outdoor Afro has connected tens of thousands of participants annually through guided nature experiences, championing joy and welcoming, and the historic representation of black people recreating in outdoor spaces. Her unique blend of inspiration, hospitality, and cultural insight has redefined what it means to live well in nature, with beauty, warmth, and purpose.
Mapp’s influence extends beyond the nonprofit world. In 2021, she launched Outdoor Afro Inc., a for-profit enterprise that designs culturally relevant outdoor apparel in collaboration with brands like REI Co-op. Her passion for nature and people has also shaped national conversations, from water safety access through the Making Waves initiative, to storytelling through her critically acclaimed book, Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors (Chronicle Books, 2022), which was featured in Oprah’s Book Club and named a Library Journal Best Book of 2022.
In addition to her work with Outdoor Afro, Mapp spearheads Black Heritage Hunt, an initiative designed to welcome and introduce more people to wild game cuisine’s delicious variety and the cultural legacy of hunting. This unique program weaves together food, history, and outdoor experience to reconnect participants with traditional practices and flavors rooted in Black heritage.
An array of distinguished honors has recognized Mapp’s leadership. She is a 2019 National Geographic Fellow, a recipient of the prestigious Heinz Award in the Environment category, and was appointed by Governors Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom to the California State Parks Commission, where she served as Chair until 2023. In 2024, she was awarded the Mountaineers’ inaugural Adventure with Purpose Award and was honored by Congress through a resolution marking Outdoor Afro’s 15th anniversary. Mapp is also a sought-after speaker, delivering keynotes at forums such as the Yale School of the Environment Leadership Council and the Public Lands Alliance.
Her voice and vision have been featured widely in national media, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, Good Morning America, Essence, Forbes, and NPR’s Code Switch. In 2025, Mapp will appear on the Assembly Required podcast and be interviewed by The Oregonian.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Mapp lives a grounded, joy-filled life in Northern California. She is a devoted wife, mother of three adult children, grandmother, and early riser who cherishes her garden, daily walks with her dog Boogie, riding horses, choir practice, caring for her backyard chickens, and time with loved ones. A tractor-trained driver since age nine and a cornbread contest ribbon winner, Mapp brings authenticity, humor, and heart to everything she does.
Mapp holds a BA in History of Art with a minor in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley and a Women in Leadership Certificate from Mills College’s Institute for Civic Leadership. She serves on the boards of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and The Wilderness Society and continues to influence public policy and outdoor access through numerous national and local platforms.
Her guiding philosophy, inspired by Paulo Coelho, is that life’s magic moments come to those willing to take bold risks. Mapp took that leap in 2012, leaving a secure job to devote herself fully to Outdoor Afro. Since then, she’s remained a joyful bridge-builder, connecting people across differences through the universal beauty of nature.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Rue Mapp and other top speakers and celebrities.
Rue Mapp Videos
How do I book Rue Mapp to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Rue Mapp for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Rue Mapp, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Rue Mapp or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Rue Mapp for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Rue Mapp, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Rue Mapp are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Rue Mapp, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Rue Mapp speak about?
Rue Mapp is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Extreme Sports, Female Leadership, Influential Women, Women's Health, Inspirational, Adventure, Non-Profit, Author, Executive Leadership, Environment, Environmental Activism, Earth Day, Conservation, Animals & Wildlife, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Black Heritage and Black History Month.
Where does Rue Mapp travel from?
Rue Mapp generally travels from San Francisco, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Rue Mapp?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Rue Mapp for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Rue Mapp for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Rue Mapp or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Rue Mapp is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Extreme Sports, Female Leadership and Influential Women. The estimated speaking fee range to book Rue Mapp for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Rue Mapp generally travels from San Francisco, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jasmine Crowe-Houston, Meg Lowman and Silvia Vasquez-Lavado. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Rue Mapp for an upcoming event.
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Rue Mapp Videos
REVIEWS
Rue Mapp Reviews
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Rue was incredible and sparked a lot of conversations after her presentation.
Public Lands Alliance - Mar 18 2024
NEWS
Rue Mapp News
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THE WESTRN: Rue Mapp Wants to Connect
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WAVERLY STREET FOUNDATION: Can teaching kids to swim heal our planet - and ourselves?
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ESSENCE: Happy Earth Day - Here Are 5 Black Women Conservationists You Need to Know
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TRAVEL PULSE: 2025's Most Influential Women in Travel
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EBONY: Sustainability Power Player: Outdoor Afro's Rue Mapp on the Connection Between Healing and Nature
FAQS
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How do I book Rue Mapp to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Rue Mapp for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Rue Mapp, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Rue Mapp or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Rue Mapp for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Rue Mapp, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Rue Mapp are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Rue Mapp, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Rue Mapp speak about?
Rue Mapp is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Extreme Sports, Female Leadership, Influential Women, Women's Health, Inspirational, Adventure, Non-Profit, Author, Executive Leadership, Environment, Environmental Activism, Earth Day, Conservation, Animals & Wildlife, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Black Heritage and Black History Month. -
Where does Rue Mapp travel from?
Rue Mapp generally travels from San Francisco, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Rue Mapp?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Rue Mapp for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Rue Mapp for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Rue Mapp or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
BOOK RUE MAPP
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