Brown Girls Climb INC

About

Brown Girls Climb (BGC) is a transformative national organization dedicated to cultivating mentorship, access, leadership, and representation for People of the Global Majority in climbing and outdoor spaces. Founded to address systemic inequities and the underrepresentation of women of color in these areas, BGC fosters an inclusive, celebratory community where mentorship, education, and resources meet to create equitable opportunities for all participants.

Categories Program BIPOC Community & Advocacy LGBTQIA+

Program Details

Brown Girls Climb (BGC) is a national organization dedicated to empowering and amplifying the voices of the People of the Global Majority in climbing and outdoor spaces. With a focus on mentorship, education, and community building, BGC creates opportunities for women and non-binary individuals of color to connect, learn, and thrive in climbing. From indoor gym meetups to outdoor climbing workshops, BGC prioritizes representation, safety, and sustainability in outdoor recreation. Through partnerships with industry leaders, grassroots initiatives, and community-driven projects, BGC fosters a supportive environment where climbers of all levels can explore and expand their potential.

Our program is rooted in the belief that climbing should be accessible, equitable, and inclusive for all. BGC addresses significant community needs by bridging the gap in representation and providing resources like climbing scholarships, gear libraries, and educational workshops. We have earned recognition from notable publications such as Essence Magazine and The Washington Post for our efforts to diversify the climbing community. Our work extends beyond recreation and highlights connections to land stewardship, equity, and holistic education.

A few highlights for 2024:

Hosted over 65 meetups across the nation
Hosted our First Education Retreat in partnership with RiseOutside
Partnered with Arc'teryx for the Summer of Climb Campaign, which features teaching in-store workshops on Outdoor First Aid, Leave No Trace, and Outdoor Essentials
Hosted 5 Outdoor Climb Days with Arc'teryx
Host the second BGC/Backpackers Wilderness First Responder course in Colorado, where we supported 17 women/femmes folks of color nationwide

We have also launched our Youth Outdoor Program, which supports 41 Girl Scouts ages 8-18 in getting their High Adventure Badge in Climbing.

Future Plans
Looking ahead, BGC is committed to scaling its impact through innovative programs like the Gym to Crag initiative, Farm to Crag events, and collaborative gear libraries in urban spaces like New York City. We also aim to deepen partnerships with brands and organizations to expand our reach and offer more workshops, mentorship programs, and opportunities for leadership development. As we celebrate eight years of growth, our vision is to continue creating safe, empowering spaces where community members can learn, climb, and lead with confidence and purpose.

Services Offered
Brown Girls Climb (BGC) offers a variety of services aimed at fostering an inclusive and supportive climbing community for People of the Global Majority. These services include:

Membership Programs: BGC provides both free and premium membership options, granting access to resources, discounted or free day passes at partner gyms, introductory climbing classes, community events, and exclusive discounts on gear and guiding services.

Community Meetups: Regular indoor and outdoor climbing meetups are organized to build community, enhance skills, and provide mentorship opportunities.

Educational Workshops: BGC conducts workshops covering topics such as the "10 Essentials" for outdoor adventures, first aid basics, and Leave No Trace principles; these aim to equip members with the knowledge needed for safe and responsible climbing.

Mentorship Programs: Through structured mentorship, BGC connects experienced climbers with newcomers to offer guidance, support, and encouragement in their climbing journeys.

Resource Sharing: BGC facilitates access to climbing gear rentals during meetups and provides information on scholarship and employment opportunities within the climbing and outdoor industries.

Advocacy and Representation: By collaborating with industry partners and participating in media initiatives, BGC works to increase visibility and representation of climbers from diverse backgrounds and promote a more inclusive climbing culture.

Contact Brittany Leavitt ( Executive Director) brittany@browngirlsclimb.com (410) 960-4390 Brown Girls Climb

Population(s) Served
Historically, we have focused on Women of Color in climbing, but recognize that our work goes beyond women, as our hope is to have a wider impact for all climbers — specifically those impacted by patriarchal systems.

We serve 10 regional chapters across the country:
California (LA, San Diego)
Maryland
Washington DC
Virginia
New York
New Jersey

Age of Participants: average 18-50

Staff Composition
We have a small staff of an Executive Director, a Social Media Director, and Regional Leaders.

A girl, equipped with climbing gear, glances down and beams with pride as she scales a rocky slope that is completely vertical. Her body, which boasts a straight and confident posture, is supported by a harness that leads to the top of the slope. The sky above is a muted blue color, with wisps of clouds trailing by.

A group of climbers gather around a forest clearing to listen to a speaker, who is sitting on a large, sloped boulder. The woods around everyone are full of crisp orange and yellow leaves, and the ground itself is carpeted with fallen, brittle leaves—all of which spell the season of autumn.

A large group of participants stand close under the dappled shade of a forest, which serves as a verdant background while they pose for a picture. Tall tree trunks jut from the ground behind the group, with leaves bursting from every angle that make up the dense foliage.

Three BGC participants pose together for a picture with bright smiles on their faces. Behind them is dense foliage and deep green trees, with beams of sunlight filtering through the tree canopy. Climbing equipment is set up behind them, though their bodies hide it from clear view of the camera.

A climber in an orange helmet is in the middle of scaling a cliff and grips onto an edge in the rock surface. Though in the middle of climbing, she throws a bright smile at the camera. In the distance are the tops of bright green trees and a bright blue sky stretching overhead.

Cost to Participate

BGC offers several membership options to accommodate various needs and budgets:

BGC Community Entry Level Membership (Free):

Access to the private BGC Community App Resources (affinity space for People of the Global Majority) to support your journey as an accomplice
Discounted or free day passes for meet-ups at partner gyms
Free Intro to Climbing classes
Free community events
Free climbing gear rentals during BGC meetups at partner gyms

BGC Community Premium Level Membership:

Monthly Subscription: $5 per month
Annual Subscription: $50 per year

Includes all benefits of the Entry Level Membership, plus:

Reduced memberships at partner gyms
Exclusive scholarship and employment opportunities
Discounts on gear, guiding services, and more with BGC Corporate and Marketplace Partners

For those seeking financial assistance, BGC offers scholarships and grants to support members in their climbing journey. For example, the Brown Girls Climb Grant provides up to $1,000 for continuing education opportunities, such as Wilderness First Aid or Single Pitch Instructor courses. To be eligible, applicants must be BGC Premium Members.

Additionally, BGC Premium Members can access discounted memberships at partner gyms. For instance, Central Rock Gym offers BGC Premium Members a discounted rate of $60 per month, with first-time CRG members eligible for a locked-in rate of $29 per month for the first six months upon presenting their BGC Membership letter.

These options aim to make climbing more accessible and affordable for individuals interested in joining the BGC community.

Brown Girls Climb in the Media

BIPoC Outside
Listen: S4 E8 Brittany Leavitt – Mindfully Taking Up Space

The Guardian
Read: ‘I don’t have to code-switch’: how Black and brown rock climbers are revamping the sport

Curbed
Read: Climbing Rat Rock

Essence Magazine
Read: Why Brown Girls Climb Is Encouraging Marginalized Women To Embrace Rock Climbing

Recent Case Studies

Program

Brown Girls Climb INC

With a focus on mentorship, education, and community building, Brown Girls Climb creates opportunities for women and non-binary individuals of color to connect, learn, and thrive in climbing through indoor gym meetups, outdoor climbing workshops, and more.

A group of volunteers hike in a line along a thin trail as they make their way to their work site, where they will be doing trail work for the day. Thin trees cover the trail ahead of them, and in the distance are the silhouettes of vast mountains. The clear blue sky overhead promises a sunny day.

Program

Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation helps volunteers of all ages to develop a land ethic and give back to the wilderness by opening trails, restoring heavily used areas, maintaining historic structures, and fighting weeds in Montana’s 1.6 million acre Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

An aerial view of the garden, with the multi-story Unicare Bakke hospital in the background. Groves of mature, leafy trees flank the vertical axes of the rehabilitation garden.

Place

Unicare Bakke Hospital Rehabilitation Garden

The 6000 square meter Unicare Bakke Rehabilitation Garden was designed to create a more accessible and useful outdoor environment for therapists and their patients receiving physical rehabilitation based on evidence collected from survey research.