Denver writer, speaker, and producer, Kriste Peoples is a Renaissance woman who’s passionate about making nature not the getaway, but to the go-to. The good energy ambassador and sunshine enthusiast is the co-founder of the Black Women’s Alliance of Denver, a group that hosts frequent workshops introducing women of color to the benefits of enjoying nature.

The “outdoorist” recently completed a 50K in Breckenridge and was invited to speak at the 2017 Women’s March in Denver. Keep reading to learn about her black in Denver experience.

How long have you lived in Denver?

I moved to Boulder in 2009 after living in major cities like New York, Chicago, and Phoenix. Today I live near Washington Park.

What does it mean to you to be Black in Denver?

For me, being Black in Denver is about creating community and that community to me is a safe space where we can bear witness to one another. The weight of being the only one in a place is heavy here, that’s why there’s a real need to have spaces to connect. However, being Black in Denver also provides a unique opportunity to remove the mask, show up as ourselves and evolve into the people we want to be.

What do you love most about living in Denver?

Denver is like a new canvas. I can choose my colors, the tools I want to use, and paint what I want. In other places I’ve lived, things always felt laid out for me and pre-determined. But in Denver, it’s more critical to create. This is a city of makers, and if I can’t find it, I can collaborate with others to create it, or I can found it. Here, I feel like all the tools I need to make something lasting and meaningful, not just for me, but for the vibrant community I’m so proud to belong to.

Tell me about your business. Do you have any upcoming events or new products?

Black women have a natural inclination to lift one another up, so I reached out to various women and leveraged the community for knowledge. The Black Women’s Alliance of Denver started as a Meetup for Black women seeking new experiences and new adventures – inside and out. The members have a collection of different interests, and today, the group focuses on our overall wellness by creating events that support our healing in body, mind, and spirit.

For example, we hosted a successful backpacking and camping series this summer, as well as multiple dance and movement clinics, yoga, and healing workshops. Our team is currently confirming the final details of the winter workshop series to take place in and out of doors.

Want to feel empowered and go deeper into your wellness adventure with like-minded women? Like the Black Women’s Alliance Facebook page to keep up with the growing community and upcoming events.