We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamillah Jean and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamillah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I feel in love with the outdoors and exploring nature over 17years ago. As a Black women hiking in Quebec I rarely saw people that looked like me. Ive always loved the outdoors but never really felt this sense of belonging. During the pandemic it was a very difficult time for my family and I, getting outdoors was our only outlet. This was also the only way to be able to connect with extended family and friends as all the national and regional parks remained opened. Started small with local hikes with family and gradually started to build from there. I launched Hike Mtl on Instagram in May 2021 with 1 participant attending our hike and shortly after we were curating excursions with 20 participants a time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a social advocate at heart who looks to break barriers, challenge the status quo and strive for social change.Having a career in social services and a background in education has allowed me to work very closely on social issues. With over 17 years experience I have built my expertise in social problem solving. I am a social worker at heart who looks to break barriers and strives for social change. Problem-solving is what I do, and the lack of inclusion and diversity outdoors is currently a problem that needs solving.

I’ve created Hike Mtl out of a need for representation and a sense of belonging in the outdoors. As a Black woman and mother of two young children, I rarely felt a sense of belonging when exploring the outdoors. Until recently, Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC)were mostly ignored by the outdoors recreation industry. That absence sent a message that BIPOC did not belong in the Great Canadian outdoors. I want to disrupt the status quo and change this narrative all together.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Montreal is a hot spot for food, festivals and the cities overall beauty. First stop Jazz Fest, Just for Laughs Festivals
Next Stop Poutine at Poutine Ville
Drinks and supper at Satay Brothers
Bar jumping and finish the night at burlesque show in town

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Through the years I’ve watched some amazing organizations and companies break barriers and build equitable outdoor representation. A few of these companies/Orgs are 1. Outdoor Afro
2. Color the Trails
3. Black people who Hike
4. Brown Girl Outdoor world

These organizations have help to inspire and pave the way for diversity and inclusion outdoors.

Website: www.hikemtl.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikemtl/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamillah-jean-8b7560221/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hikemontreal

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