The Outdoor Diversity Alliance (ODA) proudly announced its first Catalyst member: KEEN. As a Catalyst member, this 21-year-old, family-owned, values-led shoemaker will commit $25,000 to the ODA in 2025. With its support – along with that of other members – the ODA expects to be able to move forward in its efforts to further engage the outdoor industry and underrepresented communities in collaborative diversity, equity and inclusion work.
The ODA, which launched in late 2023, sits in a unique position to carry on the work of diversity within outdoor brands, organizations and foundations. This a group of outdoor industry businesses and organizations work together to build an “outdoor industry of the future.” It seeks to catalyze the outdoor industry by addressing systemic issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion, in particular through collective action and centering historically underrepresented communities across gender, race and ethnicity, physical ability and sexual orientation.
“The work can only be done with financial backing, and with the recent political pushback on diversity, equity and inclusion, we’re afraid that funding will be increasingly difficult to come by,” said the ODA in a statement. “We welcome other industry companies to join ODA as a Catalyst member. As a Catalyst member, your $25,000 tax deductible yearly membership dues will help continue funding for community advisors, co-directors and a part-time program manager. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and expect the work of diversity to remain relevant on its own. We must work diligently to ensure that it does.”
