Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Walker.
Hi Tanya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Tanya Walker! I’m an Austin native, mother of two adult men, and the creator and owner behind Black Women Who Kayak+, LLC, which was started in 2018. Additionally, we now have six BWWK+ Chapters including in Houston Texas with Austin Texas as our hub. I’ve never felt that activities were only for a certain race. Even when I was the only person holding spaces in spaces that you typically didn’t see people of color in. It’s that reason I’ve always stood out of the pack. What some would call crazy, or abnormal, I called it being adventurous and free. I was plucked from an environment that was very limited to what people of color did do, due to barriers and myths. My Christian youth leader exposed me to the things our members are doing now, like kayaking, hiking, spelunking, wakeboard surfing, and more. I became hooked.
Being an avid kayaker and sports enthusiast. I wanted to get more ladies who looked like me to join me in doing the things that I loved doing. However, this notion soon became a passion and a purpose. When I saw the opportunity to educate businesses on the need to include diversity and inclusion into their organization. Not only was this a mission and vision. It became clear that my platform would also, break down barriers, defy myths, and educate while providing access to women of color to all possibilities.
According to the United States Census Bureau, there are more than 2 million Black-owned businesses in the United States. This is beyond amazing. With Black Women Who Kayak+, LLC, I’m offering a twist and opportunity to continue the movement to disassemble the myth that has been rooted in African American generations for centuries. Which is, all sports or spaces are not for “us” to participate in. I don’t want to provide a one-event experience for our members. I want to provide an opportunity for ladies and their families to continually hold space in their newfound experiences. Given the proper educational knowledge, financial assistance if need be, provide a safe and welcome environment, and with the assurance, our members aren’t doing this alone. But, they’re also stepping out of their comfort zone with someone who can relate to them and understand why the barriers were placed and why we need to collectively work together to break them down.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While I was growing up, I would see commercials with only one race featuring families participating in outdoor activities and because I never saw people of color doing those things on TV, I didn’t see myself doing them either. Since then, things have changed dramatically for people of color to take advantage of rare and new opportunities. There is more business that is now seeing that they need to implement more diversity, inclusiveness, and equality in their environment.
So, I decided to share my story, my struggles to encourage members that they weren’t alone and that together, with people who look like them we can face those fears of the unknown spaces. We were all handed down fears and barriers one generation to the next, that inhibited us from truly experiencing unknown territory and being vulnerable to what lay ahead of the other side. Today, although it’s still a challenge for people of
color, feel welcome, safe, and try to introduce something new and off the beaten path. Black Women Who Kayak+, LLC, continues to break down those barriers that are legitimately a concern.
It’s imperative that all people of color are made to feel welcomed and have access to the world of the outdoors.
Although I strongly believe that this is my purpose, I didn’t expect it to be easy and it’s not. However, it’s very rewarding seeing ladies learn to swim for the very first time. Seeing ladies and their kids joining the rowing community, and so much more. To continue in our movement we’re always looking for more sponsors, businesses to partner with, and ladies, who feel led to either start a Black Women Who Kayak+ Chapter in their area or join an existing one.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Aside from running a successful non-profit business. I’m also, an IT Analyst Sr, for the City of Austin.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Black Women Who Kayak+, LLC wouldn’t be at the level that’s without the assistance from my team. This is only highlighting a few. But, I give thanks to all of my Admins and Moderators. All of the businesses that we’ve partnered with so far to keep the BWWK+ movement going strong.
Missy Wilson – is the Admin in our Houston, Texas Chapter.
Kerri Brown – is the Admin in our Dallas, Texas Chapter.
Christina Mays- is the Admin in our Austin, Texas Chapter.
Arnika Brown – is the Admin in our Cincinnati, OH Chapter.
Tanya Walker – is the Admin in our Little Rock, Arkansas Chapter.
Dawn Runyon and Kristie Middleton are the Admins in our Kentucky Chapter.
Additionally, we’ve several chapters that are in the development stages as well.
Contact Info:
- Email: bwwk-atx@bwwk.org
- Website: www.blackwomenwhokayak.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomenwhokayak/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomenwhokayak
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6fGRY1oVqE
- Other: https://www.meetup.com/black-women-who-kayak-llc-houston/
