Culture Queens Outdoors · 2026 Conference Season
Send Her
to the Table.
When Jennifer Everett walks into a room of tourism directors, trail advocates, Main Street leaders, and rural policymakers — Richmond County, Anson County, and Scotland County walk in with her. Help send her to five powerful tables this spring.
Featured Speaker
Jennifer Everett
NC Main Street Conference 2026
Rural NC deserves
a seat at every table.
Culture Queens Outdoors was born in the Sandhills — in communities that national tourism campaigns, outdoor industry boards, and rural development conferences rarely center. Jennifer Everett founded this organization to change that, and every conference she attends is an act of intentional representation.
When Jennifer speaks, pitches, and networks at these conferences, she carries the stories, the landscape, and the economic potential of Richmond County's hospitality and tourism ecosystem into spaces that make decisions and distribute resources. She's building relationships that bring investment, visibility, and new partnerships home.
Your gift underwrites that presence. Travel, registration, and professional materials add up — and as an uncompensated Executive Director, Jennifer relies on the generosity of her community and mission-aligned donors to make each trip possible.
Every mile traveled
returns value to the region.
Tourism & Hospitality
Building relationships with Visit NC, tourism councils, and travel media that put Sandhills destinations on itineraries and visitor guides statewide.
Outdoor Programming
Connecting with trail advocates, outdoor media, and recreation leaders who fund, feature, and build programming for communities like ours.
Main Street Revitalization
Amplifying the model of inclusive economic development — showing that diversifying who participates in Main Street is essential to long-term vitality.
Rural Identity & Pride
Ensuring that rural women, girls of color, and Sandhills culture are visible and valued in every statewide conversation about North Carolina's future.
Workforce Development & Job Training
Every program is a pathway. Culture Queens connects participants to creative industries, outdoor careers, and entrepreneurial opportunities — building economic futures rooted in skills, confidence, and community.
Healing, Wellness & Whole-Self Growth
At the heart of everything we do is a belief that every person deserves to feel whole. Through nature, art, culture, and community, we create space for healing, life skills, and the freedom to become your most authentic self.
2026 Spring Travel Season
From the coast to the mountains, Jennifer will spend this spring in rooms where North Carolina's outdoor, tourism, and economic development future is being shaped — making sure Richmond County is part of that story.
NC Main Street Conference
Jennifer is a featured breakout speaker presenting "Inclusive by Design: Diversifying Main Street Participation" — sharing Culture Queens' model with downtown leaders and economic development professionals across NC. The largest statewide downtown revitalization conference in the USA, celebrating 25 years of impactful education.
Visit NC Tourism Conference
The annual convening of North Carolina's statewide tourism industry — DMOs, hospitality leaders, attractions, and travel media all in one room. Jennifer will connect with tourism partners, pitch Sandhills destination narratives, and strengthen relationships with Visit NC and regional travel media.
NC Rural Summit
A critical gathering of rural advocates, policymakers, funders, and community leaders focused on the challenges and opportunities facing rural North Carolina. Jennifer's presence connects Culture Queens' Sandhills programming to the state's rural investment ecosystem.
The Great Trails State Conference
North Carolina's premier gathering of trail builders, land conservationists, outdoor recreation advocates, and tourism professionals. Jennifer will advocate for trails and outdoor access in underserved Sandhills communities.
Outdoor Media Conference
Where outdoor brands, publications, and media professionals meet to shape the stories that define the outdoor industry. Jennifer's presence ensures that trails, outdoor wellness, and culture-centered recreation in rural communities of color are part of the national outdoor media conversation.
Upcoming Events
Culture Queens is always in motion. Here's what's happening on the ground in the Sandhills this spring.
Youth Hike Day
Join Culture Queens Outdoors for a special Youth Hike Day experience! This guided hike is designed for young explorers — a day of nature, community, and adventure in the Sandhills. Spots are extremely limited so register early to secure your place.
Register Now →Career Day
Culture Queens Outdoors heads into the classroom for Career Day at CMS School — inspiring the next generation about careers in the outdoors, nonprofit leadership, arts, culture, and community development. This is the mission in action.
Royal Roots
The Royal Roots Cultural Arts Residency returns for Session 2 in Hamlet, NC — a transformative arts experience for youth centered on identity, healing, and creative expression. Stay connected for details.
Monthly Community Hike
Our monthly community hike is open to everyone — no experience required, just a willingness to show up, connect with nature, and find your people on the trail. All ages, all abilities, all welcome. Location details coming soon.
The work is recognized.
The mission is proven.
Culture Queens Outdoors isn't emerging — it's established. Before Jennifer walks into any conference room this spring, she's already been in the pages of Smithsonian, on PBS, and in the hands of readers across North Carolina. Your gift sends a proven leader to the table.
Smithsonian Folklife Magazine · April 2025
"Meet the Culture Queens Reclaiming North Carolina's Trails"
Smithsonian Folklife Magazine
Written By Jennifer. Published by Smithsonian.
Jennifer M. Everett authored this piece for the Smithsonian Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage — affirming that Sandhills stories belong on a national stage.
Read the Article →
Carolina Country Magazine · Sept 2025
"Uplifting Rural Tourism"
Carolina Country Magazine · Sept 2025
A Four-Page Feature Spread
Carolina Country Magazine — North Carolina's most widely read statewide publication reaching over 500,000 households — dedicated a full four-page spread to Culture Queens and the communities it serves.
Visit Carolina Country →
PBS North Carolina · Ten to Try: Trails
"Advocates for more women of color to explore outdoor spaces"
PBS NC — Ten to Try: Trails
Outdoor Leadership on Public Television
Selected by PBS NC for their Ten to Try: Trails special — placing Culture Queens' outdoor programming on public television in front of audiences across the entire state.
Watch on PBS →Charlotte Observer & WCNC TV
Local Coverage, Regional Reach
Featured by Charlotte's flagship newspaper and NBC affiliate television station — building a media record that demonstrates consistent community impact and growing regional visibility.
Visit WCNC →Choose Your Level of Support
Every dollar goes directly toward making Jennifer's conference season possible — covering registration, travel, lodging, and the professional materials that represent Culture Queens with excellence.
- Thank-you on social media
- Listed on website as a Travel Season Supporter
- Named in conference recap posts
- Thank-you on social media
- Listed as a Travel Season Supporter
- All above perks
- Named in all 5 conference recaps
- Highlighted supporter recognition
- All above perks
- Personal thank-you from Jennifer
- Founding Travel Season patron recognition
- All above perks
- Logo or name featured on landing page
- Recognized at speaking engagements
- Personal video thank-you from Jennifer
"When I walk into these rooms, I'm not just representing myself — I'm representing every woman and girl in the Sandhills who deserves to be seen, celebrated, and connected to opportunity."— Jennifer Everett, Executive Director, Culture Queens Outdoors
Be part of
this season.
Choose your preferred way to give. Every gift sends representation, rural advocacy, and Sandhills pride to five of North Carolina's most important tables this spring.
Questions? Email culture@cltqueens.com · Checks payable to Culture Queens Outdoors