At Syatt, we believe in nurturing young talent and watching it bloom. Seeing our participants grow into passionate leaders who give back to their communities fills us with pride and gratitude. Their dedication to the program they grew up with is a testament to the lasting relationships we've built. As they step into leadership roles, they bring fresh energy and vision, ensuring that Syatt’s legacy of exploration, learning, and community continues to thrive.
Mother-Daughter Trio
Syatt was born from the vision of Marcia Hood, who saw a need for Black and Brown families to feel at home in the outdoors. Today, she continues to lead the organization with purpose and passion, joined by her daughters Erika and Ebony, who bring their own expertise in education, sustainability, and community advocacy. Together, this family-led team embodies a deep commitment to both the community and one another—proving that when you build from love, legacy, and lived experience, the impact runs deep. Syatt delivers training and programs from school districts to workplaces that strengthen cultural connections, shift narratives, and expand access to meaningful outdoor experiences.
Collaborative Leadership
At Syatt, we lead with honesty, action, and deep community connection. Real change requires authentic conversations, shared leadership, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. We build alongside youth, families, and partners—never above them—because we know that progress happens when we uplift each other, hold systems accountable, and create space for real impact.
Through national grassroots networks and local partnerships, we advance place-based solutions that empower communities to lead their own change.
Collective Momentum
Syatt’s work is rooted in shared learning, mutual support, and collective action. Over the years, we’ve connected grassroots organizations, supported knowledge exchange, and built platforms that elevate voices and communities often left out of mainstream outdoor and environmental spaces. This spirit of collaboration guides everything we do, from building cross-sector partnerships to co-creating scalable, community-rooted programs. We don’t work alone, and we don’t aim to lead from the front. Our impact grows because we grow together.
Our Effect
Since our founding, we’ve:
Partnered with public lands, national forests, and conservation groups to foster greater inclusion in outdoor spaces
Introduced youth and families to meaningful outdoor experiences through hands-on education and engagement
Co-founded Get Black Outside, a national movement increasing outdoor participation among Black communities
Created the U-Matter Institute, a model for youth-led civic engagement and leadership
Advised schools, nonprofits, and agencies on developing inclusive, community-driven outdoor initiatives
Our Impact
We’re not here for quick wins. We do this work to make a real difference, for young people, for educators, for organizations and the systems that shape our lives. The impact of our relationships lasts well beyond a season or a workshop.
Because of our efforts, we’ve:
Supported organizations in building stronger relationships with the communities they serve
Worked with school districts to bring outdoor learning into classrooms in ways that reflect the students they teach
Helped improve student engagement, confidence, and connection to learning
Created and led professional development that helps educators better connect with all kinds of learners
We help organizations build stronger teams, more imaginative programs, and deeper connections with the people they serve. With over 17 years of experience grounded in real-world work—not theory—we bring practical insight, sharp strategy, and fresh perspective to every partnership.
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