Participant Stories - Dayqian Baker

OBA Executive Director Charles Thomas Speaks in Support of Bill AB2465 In a significant step towards advancing equity and sustainability in agriculture and conservation, Charles Thomas, Executive Director of Outward Bound Adventures, recently spoke on the Senate floor in support of AB 2465. This bill, which successfully passed out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, aims to broaden the scope of support for socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and organizations. “People of color have grown tired of endorsing a system where we play a small role that keeps us powerless. AB 2465 will be an instrument of equity, a tool that will promote a presence for us and franchise us into a structure not built for or by us,” Thomas stated. Generally, the funding gap between diverse and white-led organizations is clear and systemic. For example, Black and Latino nonprofit leaders receive only about 4% of philanthropic funding in the U.S., though they make up approximately 10% of nonprofit leadership nationwide. According to a Bridgespan analysis, the unrestricted net assets of black-led organizations are 76% smaller than their white-led counterparts, and their average percentage of revenue was less than half. AB 2465 seeks to expand the definition of socially disadvantaged groups under the Farmer Equity Act of 2017 to include descendants of enslaved persons in the United States. Additionally, the bill mandates that various state entities, including the Wildlife Conservation Board and the Department of Conservation, prioritize grant funding for socially disadvantaged organizations until January 1, 2031. Charles’ address underscores the commitment of Outward Bound Adventures to fostering diversity and equity in outdoor and environmental education. His support for AB 2465 aligns with the organization's mission to provide nature-based experiences to underserved youth and communities, advocating for broader systemic changes that benefit all.