Culture Queens Outdoors
450+
Queens March 2025
Add your hero photo here Queens March · Retreat · Trail
Smithsonian Folklife
"A model for cultural outdoor programming in rural America."
Rooted in Culture · Rising Outdoors

Bring
Her
to the Table.

Not just outdoor programming — a movement of belonging.

When Jennifer Everett walks into a room of tourism directors, trail advocates, and rural policymakers — Richmond County, Anson County, and Scotland County walk in with her.

2019
Founded
4
Counties
30+
Partners
6+
Years
ArtsOutdoor WellnessCultural HeritageQueens MarchQueens CampQueens RetreatUPLIFT NCSTEMRural NCWomen of Color ArtsOutdoor WellnessCultural HeritageQueens MarchQueens CampQueens RetreatUPLIFT NCSTEMRural NCWomen of Color
As Seen In
SmithsonianFolklife Magazine
PBS NCTen to Try: Trails
Carolina CountrySept 2025
Charlotte Observer
WCNCTelevision
Discover DurhamVisitor Guide Cover
450+
Queens March 2025
6+
Years of Programming
30+
Partners
4
NC Counties

Empowering women and girls of color through arts, outdoor wellness, STEM, and cultural programming across rural NC since 2019.

501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Founded 2019 · Richmond County, NC

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors · All Rights Reserved

culture@cltqueens.com
Culture Queens Outdoors · Since 2019
"We believe the outdoors, the arts, and cultural identity are not separate — they are one continuous thread in the story of who we are.Culture Queens weaves them together for women and girls who have been told these spaces aren't for them.

Founded simultaneously in Mecklenburg and Richmond Counties — a deliberate act connecting urban and rural NC from day one. Not a program delivered to communities. A movement born from them.

Our Mission

Built From Within,
For the Women Here

We empower women and girls of color through arts, outdoor wellness, STEM, and cultural programming across rural NC. Our programming meets women where they are — in state parks, in galleries, on trails, in community centers.

We are not a charity delivering services to a community. We are the community, leading ourselves forward.

Richmond CountyMecklenburg CountyAnson CountyScotland County
Why Culture Queens

We Didn't Add Diversity to a Program.
We Built a Program from Diversity.

Most outdoor organizations retrofit inclusion as an afterthought. Culture Queens was designed from its first day around the lived experiences of women and girls of color — particularly in rural, under-resourced communities. That's not a feature. That's the foundation.

"The outdoors were made for all of us — and we intend to act like it."
🏔️

Rurally Rooted

We operate from within the NC Sandhills — not from a Charlotte office looking outward. Our executive director is a Richmond County native leading her own community.

vs. Urban-Centered Orgs
👑

Identity-Centered by Design

Every hike, residency, and celebration is built around the specific joy and power of women and girls of color. Not adapted for inclusion — architected from it.

vs. Generic DEI Programs
🔗

Arts + Outdoors + Culture Pipeline

Our three pillars create a continuum — from first hike to young leader. We see the full human arc, not just a program slot.

vs. Single-Program Orgs

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors

culture@cltqueens.com
Our Story

Led From the Inside

This isn't an organization imported into our communities. It was born here, by someone from here, for the women who've always been here.

J
Jennifer Everett
Founder & Executive Director

A Richmond County native and NC Rural Center Homegrown Leaders graduate, Jennifer founded Culture Queens Outdoors in 2019 with a dual launch in both Mecklenburg and Richmond Counties — a deliberate act connecting urban and rural NC from day one.

Jennifer brings deep roots in the Sandhills arts, civic, and outdoor ecosystems — and a fierce conviction that women of color deserve to see themselves everywhere: on trails, in galleries, on stages, in boardrooms.

NC Homegrown Leaders Richmond Co. Native 501c3 Founder Conference Speaker

Recognized. Published. Featured.
Still Community-First.

From the cover of the Discover Durham Visitor Guide to speaking at the NC Main Street Conference, Jennifer and Culture Queens have earned national and statewide recognition — without leaving the communities that built them.

Our funders include the Arts & Science Council, Foundation for the Carolinas, and Walmart. Our heart is in Dobbins Heights.
Smithsonian Folklife
Feature on rural cultural heritage programming in NC
PBS NC
Ten to Try: Trails — outdoor access for women of color
Carolina Country · 2025
4-page feature on Queens March and rural arts
Discover Durham
Cover of the 2025 Visitor Guide & campaign

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors

culture@cltqueens.com
Signature Programs

Where Queens Show Up

Three signature experiences — designed around the full lives of women of color: our joy, our history, our need for rest, and our hunger for adventure.

Queens
March
Women's History Month · Annual · Charlotte

A vibrant tapestry of diverse voices — Queens March celebrates the richness of different cultures, showcasing art forms that span continents and centuries. 450+ attendees at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in 2025.

  • Debuted March 2023 · 2027 expansion to four days planned
  • Artists: Aisha Thomas, Johnatha Camp, Ingrid Long
  • Performances: Shefalee Patel, Kurma Murrain, Tanajah Wallace
  • Designers: Whitney Stephenson, Janelle Marie
Queens
Camp
Annual Juneteenth Weekend · NC State Parks

Our annual Juneteenth weekend celebration, sponsored by NC State Parks. We celebrate the brave men and women who occupied space outdoors before it was trending — beginning with a Meet & Greet Dinner and ending with live music by the lake.

  • Beginner-friendly — we pitch tents and cook together
  • Open to women, women-owned businesses, and families
  • Sponsored by NC State Parks
Queens
Retreat
Mother's Day Weekend · Annual

A weekend-long celebration of mothers and daughters — morning yoga, fireside chats, and mindfulness tailored specifically for women. The perfect introduction to the great outdoors, away from the daily responsibilities of motherhood.

  • Yoga · fishing · hiking · painting · live music
  • Mother's Day weekend — all levels welcome
  • Fireside chats: safe space for stories and triumphs
Add Queens March photo
Debuted March 2023 · Growing Every Year
Queens March

Every Voice
Heard & Valued

From exhibitions featuring female artists breaking boundaries, to captivating performances by women from diverse cultural backgrounds — Queens March shines a spotlight on exceptional talent and resilience during Women's History Month.

2023 Queens Performers

  • Artists Aisha Thomas, Johnatha Camp, and Ingrid Long
  • Designers Whitney Stephenson and Janelle Marie
  • Creatives: Iconic Beautiful Voices, Yaviri Escalera, Monique Douglas
  • Performances by Shefalee Patel, Kurma Murrain, Tanajah Wallace, Chloe Holliday and more

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors

culture@cltqueens.com
Community & Collaborations

The Community
Behind the Queens

Over 30 organizations, institutions, and partners have joined us in making space for women and girls of color across the arts, outdoors, and cultural landscape of the Carolinas.

Community Partners

  • Arts & Science Council
  • Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
  • Brooklyn Collective
  • City of Charlotte
  • Doc Hills Family Care Home
  • Elder Gallery
  • Foundation for the Carolinas
  • Harvey B. Gantt Center
  • Hodges Taylor
  • Laca Projects
  • Levine Museum of the New South
  • Magnolia Emporium
  • McColl Center
  • Mint Museum
  • NC Arts Museum
  • Sozo Gallery
  • Studio 229
  • Woven Fashion Incubator

Collaborations

  • American Hiking Society
  • Central Piedmont Community College
  • Charlotte Links
  • Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
  • City of Brevard
  • Creating Exposure
  • Dupp & Swat
  • Getaway
  • Grooming Greatness Foundation
  • Iconic Beautiful Voices
  • iMeck Global Academy
  • J Camp Makeup Artistry
  • Johnson & Wales
  • M.E.GA. Park
  • Mahogany Brown Bridal
  • NC State Parks
  • SC State Parks
  • Suite 929
  • Uplift NC

Join the list of community partners by making a donation, sponsoring an event, or becoming a collaborator.

View Sponsorship Packages

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors

culture@cltqueens.com
In the Media

Our Story Has Been Told

Smithsonian Folklife Magazine
2024
Cultural outdoor programming as a model for rural America
National feature spotlighting Culture Queens' approach to merging heritage, identity, and outdoors in NC Sandhills communities.
PBS NC · Ten to Try: Trails
2024
Outdoor access for women of color in North Carolina
Featured in public television's statewide trail series as a leading voice on inclusive outdoor access.
Carolina Country Magazine
Sept 2025
Queens March & the future of rural arts access
4-page feature on Jennifer Everett, Queens March, and Culture Queens' growing footprint across rural NC.
Charlotte Observer
2023
Making the outdoors feel like home for Black women
In-depth coverage of Queens March 2023 and the growing community of women of color in Charlotte's outdoor spaces.
WCNC Television
2023
Culture Queens brings diversity to NC's trail scene
Television segment on Culture Queens' monthly hikes and mission to remove barriers to the outdoors.
Discover Durham
2025
Cover of the 2025 Visitor Guide & Campaign
Jennifer Everett on the cover and in 10 of 26 images in Durham's official tourism marketing campaign.
SmithsonianFolklife
PBS NCTV
Carolina CountryMagazine
Charlotte Observer
WCNCTV
Discover Durham

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors

culture@cltqueens.com
In Their Own Words

What Queens Say

Every aspect of the retreat, from the hiking to the yoga, concert, fishing, painting, and delicious food, was beyond fabulous. I felt nurtured, supported and inspired.
— Yaviri E.
Queens Retreat
It was the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Lakeside yoga was my favorite followed by the live band at the end of the weekend. You can never go wrong being surrounded by real, down to earth Queens who love to have fun and enjoy sisterhood. Even better that I got to spend this weekend with my mother!
— Candice O.
Queens Retreat
I am so full. You are all so awesome and just fun! So grateful to you Jennifer Michelle for starting Cultural Queens. It has been therapy I didn't even know I would need. This was the best experience ever!
— Mara K.
Queens Retreat

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors

culture@cltqueens.com
Culture Queens Shop

Wear the Movement

Every piece is more than merchandise — it's a declaration. When you wear Culture Queens, you're visibly claiming your place in the outdoors, in the arts, in spaces that were built to exclude you.

Our merch program seeds our future screen printing and DTF printing workforce program for youth and adults. Your hoodie is the first step.

Mission-Backed PricingEvery purchase funds programming for girls in rural NC.
Premium Quality, Purposeful CostEthically sourced, print-on-demand. You're funding belonging.
Workforce Development PipelineSeeds our screen printing + DTF program for youth and adults across rural NC.
Shop at cltqueens.com/shop →
Bestseller
🖤
"Hiking Is My Love Language"
Cropped Hoodie
Premium · Black · All Sizes
$60
Not just a hoodie.
A declaration of belonging.
Production Cost$33.15
Platform & Fulfillment~$5.00
✦ Mission Margin~$22
Shop Now →

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors

culture@cltqueens.com
Upcoming & Annual Events

Where to Find the Queens

Jennifer Everett and Culture Queens Outdoors will be at five major conferences this spring — plus our annual signature events. Come find us, sponsor us, or join us on the trail.

Spring 2026 Conferences

Mar
16
Attending
Visit NC Tourism Conference
📍 Asheville, NC · March 16–18, 2026
Culture Queens will be at the Visit NC Tourism Conference connecting with tourism directors, destination marketers, and outdoor recreation partners statewide. A key table for rural heritage tourism and inclusive outdoor access conversations.
Mar
28
Press Feature
Discover Durham Feature Day
📍 Durham, NC · March 28, 2026
Jennifer Everett is a featured face in the 2026 Discover Durham Visitor Guide and tourism marketing campaign — appearing on the cover and in 10 of 26 campaign images. This commitment anchors Culture Queens' growing statewide tourism presence.
Spring
2026
Attending
Great Trail State Conference
📍 North Carolina · Spring 2026
Culture Queens will be represented at the Great Trail State Conference, North Carolina's premier gathering for trail advocates, outdoor recreation leaders, and land conservation partners. Dates TBD.
Spring
2026
Attending
Outdoor Media Summit
📍 TBD · Spring 2026
Culture Queens will be attending the Outdoor Media Summit — connecting with outdoor media, journalists, and content creators to advance representation of women of color in outdoor storytelling and media coverage.
Spring
2026
Attending
NC Rural Summit
📍 North Carolina · Spring 2026
As a NC Rural Center Homegrown Leaders graduate, Jennifer Everett will be at the NC Rural Summit connecting with rural development leaders, funders, and community organizations building economic opportunity across the state.
Annual Signature Events

Every Year, Without Fail

These three events are the heartbeat of Culture Queens — rooted, recurring, and always growing.

🎨
Queens March
Women's History Month · March · Annual
Our flagship Women's History Month celebration — 450+ attendees at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in 2025. Artists, designers, performers, and community filling a world-class space with our story. 2027 expansion to four days planned.
Queens Camp
Juneteenth Weekend · June · Annual
Our Juneteenth weekend camping celebration, sponsored by NC State Parks. Meet & Greet Dinner, lakeside live music, open fire cooking, and community in the woods. Beginner-friendly. Families welcome.
🌿
Queens Retreat
Mother's Day Weekend · May · Annual
A full weekend for mothers and daughters — yoga, fishing, hiking, painting, fireside chats, and live music. The perfect first outdoor experience, held in a safe and deeply supportive space.
Sponsor an Event

Sponsorship opportunities are available for all events — including vendor booths, naming rights, and in-kind partnerships. Join the list of community partners.

View Sponsorship Packages

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors

culture@cltqueens.com
Culture Queens Blog

Stories, Trails &
Community Voices

Trail guides, event recaps, cultural spotlights, grant news, and reflections from the women building this movement.

All Posts Queens March Trail Guides Queens Camp Queens Retreat Cultural Heritage Press
Trail Guide
5 Sandhills Trails Every Queen Should Walk This Season
Our guide to the best trails across Richmond, Scotland, and Anson Counties — with tips on timing, accessibility, and who to bring.
February 2025
Cultural Heritage
Royal Roots: A Youth Arts Residency in Dobbins Heights
Behind the scenes of our NEA-funded residency for justice-involved youth — and why arts access in rural communities changes everything.
January 2025
Queens Camp
What Juneteenth Outdoors Looks Like When You're With Your People
A reflection on Queens Camp 2024 — the campfire, the lake, the music, and the meaning of celebrating freedom in the spaces our ancestors were kept out of.
June 2024
Queens Retreat
Mothers, Daughters, and a Lake: Inside Our Mother's Day Retreat
Morning yoga, fireside chats, fishing for the first time, and live music at sunset. A recap of our annual Queens Retreat and what it means to rest in community.
May 2024
Press
We Made the Cover of the Discover Durham Visitor Guide
Jennifer Everett is featured on the cover and in 10 of 26 images in Durham's 2025 tourism campaign — here's what that means for rural NC representation.
October 2024
Trail Guide
UPLIFT NC: Our Rural Heritage Travel Itineraries Are Live
Explore the Sandhills through our curated travel itineraries — history, nature, food, and culture woven into one-of-a-kind routes across Richmond, Anson, and Scotland Counties.
September 2024
📝 Squarespace Blog Setup: Go to Pages → Add Page → Blog. To display posts here, use a Summary Block pointing to your Blog page. Suggested categories: Queens March · Queens Camp · Queens Retreat · Trail Guides · Cultural Heritage · Press · Grants & Funding. Each post can have a featured image, author, date, and tags — all managed directly in Squarespace's editor.

© 2025 Culture Queens Outdoors

culture@cltqueens.com