Ep 141: Erika Hood, SYATT, Shifting the Narrative of Who is Outdoors

February 9, 2023
Erika Hood was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and has over fifteen years of experience in community organizing and advocacy. She believes that authentic engagement matters most when working with the community. In 2009 Erika, her sister Ebony and their mother Marcia founded Syatt, formerly known as See You at the Top. Syatt's MISSION is to support its community through culturally relevant programming in the natural and built environment. As a co-founder of Syatt, Erika is able to transform the lives of youth and adults in Cleveland, by curating culturally tailored opportunities for community members to engage in nature and outdoor recreation. In spaces that are historically white, she understands how important Black and Brown representation in nature is and has committed to maintaining a level of expertise in all activities that she encourages her community members to try. Most recently that meant that she and her sister became certified SCUBA divers. As a member of a community that suffers from toxic stress and chronic diseases, green space is an integral component of the physical and mental healing of her community. Erika recalls having supportive parents in her youth who gave her the opportunity to try new things. They exposed her to parks, informative landmarks, and the legacy of cultural contributions found across America. She has passed on this love of travel to her incredibly talented sons, Greg and Duke. 

Syatt website
Donate to Syatt
Syatt on Facebook, IG, Twitter
Get Black Outside
National Brotherhood of Skiers
Tennessee Aquatic Project
Youth Diving with a Purpose
Chasing Coral documentary
Euclid Creek Reservation MetroPark
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Boston Mills Brandywine