Ebony Advocates

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About Us
 Building Voices, Building Power. |

Our Story
Ebony Advocates began as Black Girls Hike (BGH), (See the Story featured on National News)

Ebony Advocates began as Girls Hike (BGH), founded in 2017 to empower women and girls to embrace the outdoors, break stereotypes, and reclaim spaces traditionally reserved for others. Over the years, our vision has expanded: from hiking trails to city streets, boardrooms, and policy tables, we now advance environmental justice, leadership, advocacy, and health equity for communities of color.

In 2025, we reorganized and are now just Ebony Advocates as we are rooted in the belief that every person has the power to be an advocate. By providing training, mentorship, and opportunities for civic engagement, Ebony Advocates equips individuals to influence decisions, shape policies, and lead movements that advance equity in all spheres of life.

Our Mission

To identify, educate, and mobilize individuals—especially those who have never seen themselves as advocates—equipping them with the tools to champion change, strengthen communities, and expand equity for all.

Through leadership programs, environmental and health advocacy, and civic engagement initiatives, we create pathways for communities of color to exercise influence and drive systemic change.

Our Vision

A world where underrepresented communities lead in shaping environmental policy, health equity, and civic life. We envision thriving neighborhoods where equity in opportunity, voice, and resources is a fundamental right, not a privilege.

Core Values

Empowerment: We cultivate the confidence and skills needed to lead and advocate.


Equity: We prioritize solutions that address historic injustices and systemic barriers.

Community: We strengthen networks and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Resilience: We equip communities to navigate challenges and create lasting impact.

Innovation: We design programs that combine data-driven strategies with cultural insight.

Our Founder Advocacy Starts Here. |

Portia Prescott | Founder & President

 Portia is a visionary leader, advocate, and corporate strategist. As former Regional President of the NAACP (CO-MT-WY), she has spent over a decade advancing civil rights, environmental justice, and community empowerment. Portia co-founded Girls Hike, breaking barriers in the outdoor and climate advocacy space. Her leadership and advocacy work have been featured nationally, including on MSNBC, showcasing the power of women in shaping environmental and civic policy.

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Our Board Of Directors

Our board reflects the diversity, expertise, and commitment to equity that Ebony Advocates embodies. Each member brings unique experience in advocacy, health, environment, and leadership.

About Us

Executive Summary

How we began has meaning! We were first called BGH–Ebony Advocates which began as Black Girls Hike, a movement empowering urban women of color to reclaim outdoor spaces and leadership. Today, we are now Ebony Advocates, a full-scale nonprofit advancing equity through environmental justice, leadership development, and health advocacy.

Mission Statement

To identify, educate, and mobilize individuals—especially those who have never viewed themselves as advocates—equipping them with tools to champion change, strengthen community, and expand equity for all.

Vision Statement

A future where communities of color lead environmental and social change—shaping clean energy, health equity, and civic leadership for generations to come.

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