Kayden • Outdoors Advocate • S1/E5
Words, photos and video by David LamGraduate student discusses the need for more diversity in outdoor spaces and the importance of intentional fashion choices.
Kayden Kelley, a graduate student studying urban planning and environmental policy in Boston, MA, is also an outdoors advocate. He speaks about his experience with nature, describing it as a source of tranquility and inspiration. "We're so far removed from nature that when you take a second and you just sit, you really do leave feeling just at one,” says Kelley. “Now I know who I am. Now I know my intentions. Time to go home and get things done.”
His thesis is on the participation rates in outdoor recreational activities, specifically looking at the stark difference between black and white Americans. Kelley believes that two things need to happen to help diversify the outdoors: more representation of minorities in these outdoor spaces and addressing the leisure constraints that prevent people from participating in these activities. "So that includes access to transportation, money to pay for entrance fees, parking fees, and also provide gear when appropriate because I think that's the highest barrier to entry," he says.
In addition to advocating for diversity in outdoor spaces, Kelley is also a fashion enthusiast. "For a long time fashion wasn't important to me at all. My mom was picking out my outfits until I was in like eighth grade. I've learned the importance of it, especially in college," he says.
His style has evolved since, transitioning from sweatpants to more intentional fashion choices. Kelley says, ”Nowadays I like a nice jacket. And I try to avoid the sweatpants. But my alternative are cargo joggers because it fits nicely. It's you know basic color. I don't need to do too much. But then everything else that I wear with color really stands out against that.”
The pandemic allowed Kelley to spend more time thinking about his wardrobe and creating a foundation of what he likes and what looks good on him. "And so with that, I think I can just be more intentional in what I wear," he says.
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Credits
Featuring
Kayden Kelley (Instagram: @theblackoutdoorsman_)
Camera, sound, graphics, edit & production
David Lam
Music
“Ebb + Flow” by Eric Kinny
“Better Days” by Brian Brown
“Connection” by Eddy I.
“Let’s Go” by Bempeh
100% Clearance through Musicbed
Listen on Spotify
Additional footage
Kayden Kelley
Additional photos
Unsplash
Ant Rozetsky
Patrick Tomasso
Olga Budko
Oleksandr Horbach
Laura Pluth
Mohammad Alizade
Niranjan Gholkar
Filmed in
Boston and Stoneham, MA (Middlesex Fells Reservation)
United States, November 2022 and January 2023