President’s Perch
Black Birders Week
I didn’t think I was doing anything weird or different when I fell in love with birds. My father, Papi, was just telling me the names of the birds around us. For me, being outdoors was just part of our existence, especially growing up in Takoma Park, Maryland, where there was every excuse to be outside. I also didn’t think it was strange the bird lovers around me all looked like me. Fast forward and I learned quickly that I am a rare bird indeed. Extralimital, even!
And, sadly, I still am.
Fast forward again and BlackAFinSTEM, a passionate group of Black-identifying birders, founded Black Birders Week after a Black birding enthusiast was racially harassed while birding. Black Birders Week highlights Black birders, scientists, and nature enthusiasts in a world that still counts us as extralimital in many places.
Join DC Bird Alliance with a lineup of activities led by and centering Black nature enthusiasts and Black professionals in the natural sciences during Black Birders Week. Then join us to normalize Black nature enthusiasts everywhere, serving at all capacities to share the joy of nature, without barriers of any kind.
We all win when a Black birder, a Black female President of the local birding chapter isn’t an extralimital sighting.
See you outside!
