Brittany Leavitt

Introduce yourself and the epic communities you're involved with.

Hi! I'm Brittany Leavitt—a climber, educator, community organizer, and advocate for equity and representation in outdoor spaces. I've spent over a decade creating opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and connection in the climbing and outdoor industries. As the co-founder and Executive Director of Brown Girls Climb, I help foster a community that uplifts and supports women and queer people of color in the outdoors. Through mentorship, meetups, and education, we're breaking barriers and celebrating representation.

I'm proud to serve as a Wilderness Medicine Instructor for Backcountry Pulse, where I help empower people with the medical knowledge and skills to feel confident and safe in outdoor spaces. Teaching wilderness medicine aligns with my mission to create accessible and inclusive outdoor education for all.

I'm also part of the vibrant Cooper Street Garden in Brooklyn, NY, an intergenerational, queer, and BIPOC-led space where we connect through food, mutual aid, and education while celebrating the arts. This garden serves as a reflection of how urban spaces can be tied to larger land and community-building efforts.

Beyond this, I've contributed to projects like Color the Crag, United in Yosemite, and All in Ice Fest, creating festivals and programs that center historically excluded voices in climbing and the outdoors. Whether it's climbing mountains like Kilimanjaro, hosting first-aid workshops. I'm passionate about bridging the gap between people and the natural world.

Brown Girls Climb! We'd love to know how it came to be and what inspired you to create this amazing community and club.

Brown Girls Climb started as a simple yet powerful idea. It was founded by Bety, who created an Instagram account to connect with other women of color in climbing—a space where representation was sorely lacking. Through this platform, Bety sparked conversations and built a community that resonated with so many.

As the momentum grew, eight additional folks, including myself, joined the team to take this vision to the next level. Together, we built Brown Girls Climb into a national organization with programs, resources, and storytelling at its heart. We created climbing workshops, meetups, and beyond—offering tools not just for connection but for empowerment.

Our mission is to show that women of color not only belong in climbing but can thrive as athletes, instructors, guides, and even founders of their own organizations. By providing mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and a supportive community, we aim to redefine what representation looks like in the outdoor industry. Brown Girls Climb continues to grow as a space where women and queer folks of color can dream big and break barriers.

How has the organization evolved since its start?

Since its start in 2016, Brown Girls Climb has grown from a simple Instagram account into a thriving national organization supporting and empowering women and queer folks of color in climbing and outdoor spaces.

What began as a platform for connection and community quickly expanded into meetups, workshops, and events. With a growing team and mission, we became a non-profit in 2023, solidifying our commitment to long-term advocacy and community building. Today, we're active in 10 locations nationwide, offering mentorship, skill-building, and leadership opportunities while fostering connections to the land and promoting equity in outdoor spaces.

From grassroots beginnings to a national movement, Brown Girls Climb continues to inspire and empower, showing that everyone has a place to thrive in climbing and beyond.

What's your advice for those looking into getting into climbing and into the outdoors?

Getting into climbing and the outdoors can be transformative! Here's my advice for making the journey meaningful, enjoyable, and sustainable:

1. Start Small and Be Curious
Climbing You can start indoors at a gym or connect with a local guiding company to take you for the day. They're great for learning techniques and building confidence in a controlled environment. With getting connected to the outdoors in general, Explore local parks, trails, or beginner-friendly climbing spots.

2. Seek Community
Look for groups that align with your identity or values, like Brown Girls Climb or other affinity-based outdoor communities. These spaces offer support, mentorship, and a sense of belonging. Joining local meetups, climbing gyms, or outdoor workshops is a great way to connect with like-minded people and build skills together. Climbing can feel overwhelming, but just note that there are many groups that support you in taking up space!

3. Gear Doesn't Have to Break the Bank
Borrow or rent gear before making big purchases. Some climbing gyms, local gear shops, or outdoor programs offer rentals, and you can also check gear libraries and digital gear libraries like the Gear Fund.

4. Invest in Learning
Take a beginner climbing or outdoor safety class. Many gyms offer introductory lessons. You can also find local guiding companies that offer group or solo workshops, such as the NY-based guiding company Rise Outside. Also, take a look at your local outdoor or gear stores. Many have low-cost or free classes. This past year, BGC hosted a few workshops on Outdoor First Aid, Ten Essentials, and Leave No Trace.

5. Learn how to connect with the land and understand History
Understand the land you're exploring, its history, and the Indigenous communities who stewarded it. Practicing Leave No Trace principles is essential, but consider how your presence impacts the environment and local communities.

6. Embrace the Process
Climbing and outdoor skills take time to build. Celebrate the small victories and don't be discouraged by challenges. Growth happens step by step.

7. Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
The climbing and outdoor communities are filled with people who are eager to share knowledge. Ask questions, seek mentorship, and remember—it's okay to be a beginner.

8. Have Fun!
The outdoors is about finding your connection to nature, movement, and yourself. Whether you're climbing a wall, hiking a trail, or just enjoying the view, make sure you're doing it in a way that brings you joy.

From the looks of it you're also spending a lot of time in gardens and within social causes - tell us how you find these two avenues mix together?

Gardens and social causes blend seamlessly because they both root us in community and connection. In gardens, we nurture the land, grow food, and create spaces for learning and healing. Similarly, social causes aim to cultivate equity and support for communities. Whether it's hosting events in a garden or organizing mutual aid efforts, both spaces foster growth—of people, relationships, and ideas.

What's your day to day look like as someone with so many beautiful projects and communities going on?

I giggle at this question because my day feels like it's never the same! Some days, I'm at the office or a coffee shop, deep in meetings and working on operations for Brown Girls Climb. Other days, I'm connecting with the land, working in the community garden, or organizing events that bring people together. Then there are the days when I'm catching flights to teach, speak, or explore new outdoor spaces. It's a mix of planning, creating, and staying rooted in community—no two days are alike, but each one feels meaningful!

We're stoked that Nocs are in your toolkit. In what situations do you find yourself grabbing your Nocs? How are they helping your craft?

I'm so stoked to have Nocs in my toolkit—they've been a game-changer for my adventures! I found myself reaching for them constantly during my trip to Patagonia. Whether I was scouting routes, observing wildlife, or just soaking in the vast landscapes, the clarity and portability of the Nocs made every moment more immersive. They help me stay present and connected to the environment, enhancing both my climbing and storytelling by allowing me to truly see and appreciate the details of the world around me. Having them on that trip felt like carrying a little piece of magic!

Anything on your calendar that you're looking forward to? We'd love to stay in touch! Where can we find you these upcoming months?

There's so much to look forward to! I'm gearing up for exciting projects with Brown Girls Climb, including our ongoing fundraiser, meetups, and workshops nationwide. I'll also be teaching a Wilderness First Aid Course and training for new climbing challenges while connecting with the community at upcoming festivals.

On the adventure side, I'm prepping for my once-a-year ice climbing trip, getting ready for more backpacking adventures, and spending time planning for a new garden season. It's a full and exciting few months ahead!

You can follow:
brittany (Bleavitt8)
Brown Girls Climb (browngirlsclimb)
Cooper Street Community Garden (Cooperstreetgardens)