We were lucky to catch up with Tanya Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanya , thanks for joining us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

That’s a great question! Honestly, I would’ve taken some 1 on 1 courses on how to start a successful nonprofit business. This would’ve saved me time and money when it came to doing somethings that I did backwards. I would’ve taken more leadership courses. Because, I feel becoming a great leader isn’t something that’s developed naturally. You’ve to be able to learn how to adapt to so many personalities. You’ve to agree to disagree. You’ve to learn to look at the big picture and not go tunnel vision. Even though, I can think of things that I would’ve done differently. This I know, is true, everything happens for a reason. I know, that I am where I am today, because it was already written. Because, maybe if all of those things that I mentioned where done prior. I wouldn’t be where I am now. I had to learn by trail and error because of to many reasons to count. But, God never said, my purpose would be easy. I was able to turn my passion of kayaking into my purpose; by being an advocate for my community and other’s!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

To start off (BWWK+) started in 2018 with the general purpose of getting more ladies who look like me exploring and connecting with nature.

But I didn’t see many of us doing those things….

Which took me on a journey back to my childhood. As a kid, I wanted to do what I saw kids of different ethnic backgrounds on TV doing, like kayaking, swimming lessons, hiking, skiing, rockwall climbing, spelunking, wakeboard Surfing, longboarding, just to name a few.

But my mother, being a single parent whose income was very limited, coupled with the fact that typically, in our culture, people of color didn’t have the exposure to those type of activities, the proper knowledge of it, and some parents of color didn’t feel safe allowing their child to join in those type of activities. Which led to my mom prohibiting me from participating.

But that all changed when I met a youth leader during my 11th-grade year who plucked me out of my sheltered environment and encouraged me to attend summer camp, and from that point on I was exposed and hooked on new possibilities the outdoors presented.

With the help of social media, I created the BWWK+ group and events on kayaking and other activities to see who would come, and the response was overwhelming! I realized that I had an opportunity to use the Black Women Who Kayak+ as a platform to create a movement that would break down barriers, defy the myths of what people of color will and will not do, to educate and empower women of color to not only step outside their comfort zone, and to face their fears but to gain more confidence to where they will get their kids and family members involved as well. – So, there will be no more kids, like I was, who missed out. Additionally, this was an opportunity to educate more people on why it’s so important for us to protect our land and water and what it takes to do so. Because, it’s going to take everyone, if we want to continue enjoying the beauty the universe holds. .

That’s why Black Women Who Kayak+ stands to create a safe space that welcomes people to color and gives them an amazing opportunity to do something that you typically don’t see us doing, whether you can afford it or not. So that’s where the plus+ comes into BWWK, it gives our members the opportunity to choose what they have always wanted to do but didn’t have the resources to do so.

What sets BWWK+ aside from other groups, we truly serve women and their kids of all economic backgrounds. We want all women and their family to be able to experience the outdoors in a way that you typically don’t see us doing. That’s why we’ve created the Black Women Who Kayak+ Scholarship Fund with the assistance of our partners we’ve black and brown ladies and their kids continually holding space in their new found adventures with memberships.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

It was never intended for Black Women Who Kayak+, LLC to become a business. When I started it, I simply wanted to see if I could get women who look like me to join me in doing the things that I enjoyed. Basically, I was looking for friends who loved the water and nature. When I created these events, one lady always showed up. My plan was to close down the group. Because I told that lady I could call you and we could meet up. When she told me not to, I created an event for spelunking. Having everyone who RSVPed show up even though we didn’t know each other. Because it was everyone’s first time venturing into the Whirlpool Caverns, they had no idea what to expect. Through tight spaces they had to depend on each other after descending 30+ feet. After a long journey, we finally reached the end. It was then that I knew. There was a much bigger purpose for which I needed to use this platform. Adding the + at the end of Black Women Who Kayak was the first step I decided to take. In addition, I knew I had to form an LLC. I used my savings to fund this and the initial events. I tell people that I have been helped along the way by a higher power. It would be an understatement to say that. To keep our movement moving forward, I’ve been fortunate to partner with companies like R.E.I, Texas Hill Country Alliance and Grape Nuts Cereal, which have donated funds. Currently, we have 10 chapters across the country. Without grants, donations, and the partnership with business, this movement would be much more challenging to maintain.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first started Black Women Who Kayak+ I would create events and my numbers of participants was very low. I only had one chapter and that was in Austin Texas. I had a couple of volunteers that was helping me plan events and host them. We were just getting started with planning more events. I created a website and than COVID hits. Everything was shut down with no light at the end of the tunnel. After several months went back and we were still told to not be around anyone. I was thinking that the business would fold. Because, it’s main mission is to place black and brown people in spaces that you typically don’t see them in. Most of those spaces, were closed. We had to regroup and plan events around COVID and we started virtual events, cooking, movie night, yoga and more. Once we were able to go back outside and connect in small groups. I think everyone had a new appreciation on life and being outdoors. At one point we had to pivot and think outside the box to keep our members active to keep Black Women Who Kayak+ movement going and it worked.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blackwomenwhokayak.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomenwhokayak/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomenwhokayak
• Youtube: BWWK+ Feature News Story on KXAN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPvjehUo8W4 / BWWK+ Feature News Story on KVUE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6fGRY1oVqE