In brief
Rhiane Fatinikun, driven by a lack of representation on trails, founded Black Girls Hike in 2019 to make Britain's countryside welcoming and inclusive for Black women.
As the sun lingered behind clouds on a brisk summer day in the Yorkshire Dales, a group of 15 women climbed towards the misty summit of Ingleborough. Among them was Rhiane Fatinikun, urging her fellow hikers forward as she led her organization, Black Girls Hike, through this challenging terrain. Founded in 2019, Fatinikun's initiative sought to address the racial imbalances present in outdoor activities across Britain. Seeing the vast English landscape dominated by white hikers, she decided to build a community where Black women would feel visible and valued in natural spaces often perceived as the domain of the white middle and upper classes. "To find a space where you can be yourself is powerful," Fatinikun reflected, emphasizing the importance of inclusion. Her group was about more than conquering summits; it was a step towards ensuring everyone felt welcome to explore the beautiful expanses of Britain.
