Hunters of Color logo: orange falcon with HOC in the middle

The Outdoors Belong to Everyone

Discover how Hunters of Color is changing the face of hunting and conservation through mentorship, education, and community.
Meet the Team

Why We Exist

HOC members walking down a path.

Our Mission

To represent Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color in hunting and the outdoors by advancing conservation, building communities, and celebrating traditions through education, mentorship, and stewardship

Our Vision

To be an outdoor community where people of color are welcomed and empowered to participate in hunting and conservation
HOC group picture with doggies.
OUR FOOTPRINT SO FAR

What We've Accomplished So Far

Since our founding in 2020, Hunters of Color has grown from a bold idea into a nationwide movement for equity and inclusion in the outdoors. In just a few short years, we've created real opportunities for connection, education, and transformation—one hunt, one mentor, and one story at a time.

Our community continues to grow, thanks to the dedication of our team, partners, and supporters across the country:

250+

Events Hosted Nationwide

14

States with Active Programs & Outreach

3,500+

Participants Engaged

Majority

are First-Generation Hunters
Each number represents a life changed, a barrier removed, and a future reimagined. And we’re just getting started.
[Read Our Impact Report]

What We Stand For

HOC group picture wearing camo.
At Hunters of Color, our values guide every decision, partnership, and program we build. They’re more than words—they’re commitments to our community, our culture, and the land we steward.

We show up for one another because this work is by community, for community.

Our strength comes from connection. We are not just a network — we are a collective built on trust, mutual support, and shared values. We create spaces where everyone feels safe to show up fully, contribute meaningfully, and belong.

We are the experts in our experience – we bring the skill, knowledge, and lived truth to lead.

We lead with integrity, earned knowledge, and cultural fluency. Our experience navigating and overcoming barriers makes us uniquely equipped to guide others. We build trust by showing up prepared, grounded, and accountable to our mission and our people.

We honor the richness of identity and celebrate the many ways people connect to land, food, and each other.

We recognize that people contain multitudes. Culture shapes our values, our rituals, and our reasons for being in nature. At HOC, you never have to leave your identity at the trailhead — we welcome it.

We give back more than we take – to the land, the animals, and future generations.

Our conservation ethic is rooted in gratitude and reciprocity. We hunt ethically, steward habitats, and advocate for policies that protect our natural resources. We believe in blending traditional knowledge with modern science to care for the earth that sustains us.

Why it Matters

Representation is Conservation

HOC member with crossbow in shed.
Despite making up nearly 45% of the U.S. population, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) represent less than 20% of all hunters—and in 2016, that number was as low as 3% (USFWS). This underrepresentation isn’t a matter of interest; it’s the result of systemic barriers like lack of access to land, generational knowledge gaps, financial obstacles, and the absence of inclusive outdoor spaces.
When entire communities are excluded from hunting and conservation, it’s not just a representation issue—it’s a conservation issue. Hunters and anglers are among the primary funders of wildlife preservation in the U.S. Without equitable participation, we miss out on the voices, knowledge, and cultural perspectives that make our conservation efforts stronger.
HOC group learning about crossbows.
HOC group in path with riffle.
Diversity in conservation matters. BIPOC hunters deserve visibility, opportunity, and community. Because when more people feel a sense of belonging in the outdoors, we don’t just grow participation—we grow stewardship, advocacy, and a future that reflects all of us.

Where Representation Meets Action

Our mission isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about transformation. When BIPOC communities are welcomed into outdoor spaces, we don’t just grow participation—we strengthen conservation, restore cultural connection, and build a more just and sustainable future for all.

Nearly 45% of the U.S. population is BIPOC—yet less than 20% of hunters are.

USFWS, 2022
Our work also creates ripple effects across key sectors

Who We’re Here For

At Hunters of Color, we serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) by creating access, opportunity, and community in hunting and conservation—spaces where we’ve historically been underrepresented. Our programs are designed to welcome first-generation hunters, amplify ancestral knowledge, and open pathways to leadership rooted in cultural connection and land stewardship.

While our mission centers racial equity, our community is open to all. Anyone who upholds our values of authenticity, accountability, and respect is welcome to join us—because building a more inclusive outdoors takes all of us.

Wildlife Agencies

by supporting R3 goals and increasing license participation

Outdoor Industry

by expanding access and growing diverse engagement in gear and recreation

Conservation Organizations

by cultivating a new generation of environmental stewards and advocates

Local Economies

through community events, partnerships, and civic engagement that bring people to new places

Programs That Build Connection

At Hunters of Color, our programs are designed to break down barriers and build up community. Whether someone is taking their first step into the outdoors or returning to ancestral traditions, we offer mentorship, education, and access rooted in culture, care, and conservation. Every event, workshop, and hunt is about more than learning—it’s about belonging.
HOC Mentor and Mentee

R3 Mentorship
Program

Our Recruit, Retain, Reactivate model pairs new and returning hunters with experienced mentors. These relationships are built on trust and guidance, helping participants develop the skills and confidence to safely and sustainably engage in the outdoors.
Learn More
HOC land conservation hike

Conservation & Stewardship Program

We ensure BIPOC voices are represented in conservation conversations—from field practices to public policy. Through education and advocacy, we empower participants to protect natural resources and play an active role in shaping our shared future.
Learn More
HOC Kitchen Workshop

Workshops & Community Building

From hunter education to cultural storytelling around the fire, our workshops offer hands-on, land-based learning rooted in safety, sustainability, and respect. These events bring people together and strengthen connections between culture, identity, and the land.
Learn More

Led by Those We Serve

Our leadership reflects the communities we support. As a BIPOC-led organization, Hunters of Color is guided by individuals who bring lived experience, deep cultural connection, and a shared commitment to equity in the outdoors.
Jimmy Flatt

Jimmy Flatt

Founder / Executive Director
Co-Founder and Executive Director of HOC, Jimmy leads national efforts for equity in hunting and conservation. With a background in engineering and nonprofit leadership, he brings over a decade of experience building scalable programs and partnerships. As a Latino and Pacific Islander hunter, his leadership blends cultural perspective, technical skill, and deep commitment to community.
Tony Ary happy in the woods

Tony Ary

Director of Development
As HOC’s Director of Development, Tony oversees fundraising, partnerships, and donor engagement. With extensive nonprofit experience, he drives financial growth and sustainability while keeping equity at the center. Inspired by mentorship from his grandfather, Tony works to ensure outdoor opportunities are accessible for all communities.

Bianka Martinez

National Program Director
Bianka leads HOC’s national programs, blending ecology, storytelling, and community to expand access to hunting, conservation, and outdoor careers. With academic training in biology and environmental management, she creates inclusive pathways that foster belonging and equitable participation in the outdoors.

Our Team

Each team member brings unique strengths—from conservation science and community organizing to mentorship, hunting education, and land stewardship. Together, we’re not just shaping programs—we’re shaping a movement.

Assistant Attorney General and Interim Chair at HOC, combining legal expertise with advocacy for equitable access to the outdoors.

Matt Peña
Interim Chair
Jonathan Teeters hunting

HOC Treasurer with an MBA in sustainable business, Jonathan ensures financial health while advocating for equity in conservation.

Jonathan Teeters
Treasurer
Alex Machado hunting

Farmer Collectives Manager at Washington Farmland Trust, Alex advances food sovereignty, land access, and inclusive outdoor traditions.

Alex Machado
Board Member
Landon Peppel hunting

Deputy Director at The Wildlands Conservancy, Landon connects land protection expertise with his lifelong passion for hunting and fishing.

Landon Peppel
Board Member
Justin Lee hunting

Champion spearfisher and cultural practitioner from Hawai‘i, Justin grounds HOC’s conservation work in Indigenous traditions and values.

Justin Lee
Board Member

Executive Director at Blue Heron Headwaters Conservancy, bringing nonprofit leadership and conservation expertise to HOC’s board.

Jason Meekhof
Board Member

Conservationist, outfitter, and culinary storyteller, Josh bridges hunting traditions with modern conservation to expand HOC’s impact.

Josh Crumpton
Board Member

Graduate Assistant at WCU’s Environmental Management program, advancing storytelling and community resilience for HOC.

Yanitsa Rodriguez
Graduate Assistant