When we respect each other and embrace our differences, we create a more inclusive outdoor community. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Cotopaxi is one of the seven founding organizations of the new Outdoor Diversity Alliance.

While there are many organizations dedicated to diversity in the outdoors, the Outdoor Diversity Alliance (ODA) is one of the first focused on making the outdoor industry more equitable. Its mission? To assist the outdoor industry in addressing systemic issues impacting diversity, equity, and inclusion through collective action. 

The ODA was born out of the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge, which Cotopaxi signed in 2020. The Pledge is organized by the In Solidarity Project, an organization dedicated to creating “a cohesive outdoor community where everyone feels included.” The ODA helps Pledge signatories make good on their commitment to diversity through collective action.

To establish the ODA, Teresa Baker—a pivotal leader in the outdoor diversity movement and founder of the In Solidarity Project—helped unite several founding members: Arc’teryx, Burton, Cotopaxi, Smartwool, Moosejaw, the Outdoor Industry Association, and Protect Our Winters. And this is just the beginning—more outdoor brands and nonprofits are invited to join the Alliance. 
 

“We want the ODA to be a resource for all outdoor industry brands to connect and collaborate alongside community leaders,” Damien Huang, Cotopaxi’s CEO says. “We know these issues can often be thorny and difficult to engage with independently, so by coordinating as a group we can move more confidently towards an accessible, thriving industry well-positioned to meet the opportunities in front of us. The long-term health of the outdoor industry requires an expansive and inclusive effort to welcome all communities to the outdoors.”

To accomplish its mission, the ODA will help brands strengthen their DEI efforts by joining forces and collectively supporting the inclusion of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented communities in the outdoors. 

The first step in that direction? The ODA hired 18 advisors representing outdoor groups and historically underrepresented communities to guide the Alliance on how to best support the communities they represent. Using this guidance, the ODA established three goals to achieve a more diverse and equitable outdoor industry for all:

1. Support the development of authentic relationships by helping companies and historically underrepresented communities and groups connect. 
2. Develop the framework for an industry-wide equity assessment. 
3. Create authentic storytelling models led by underrepresented communities.

The power of the ODA also lies in networking. Outdoor industry leaders want to know what’s worked for other brands, and what hasn’t in the pursuit of DEI. How have other outdoor organizations learned from their mistakes, or found success?

“We want to help brands learn from each other and grow together,” Teresa Baker, In Solidarity Project founder says. “We believe the result will have a greater impact than what any one company can attempt and accomplish on its own.”

The ODA already has a stacked agenda for 2024. They'll be hosting an in-person event to kick off collaborative work, and begin collecting demographics from all members as part of their commitment. The ODA will also leverage In Solidarity’s job board and resource hub to build more inclusive workforces and more diverse vendor networks.

The other big task at hand is to grow the Alliance. “This launch is a first step,” Cotopaxi CEO Damien says. “We welcome all other outdoor brands to join the Alliance and work together building a bigger tent.”

To learn more about the ODA, visit www.insolidarityproject.com/oda