Maintaining and Growing Your Campfire: A Reflection on Strength and Growth

On the Surface

For many who know me professionally, 2024 might seem like a year of success. I gave a TEDx talk in DC, launched initiatives like Black At Work, received a National Geographic Society grant, and started my own business, all while continuing to push for racial equity and justice in geography and technology. From the outside, it might look like I’m thriving—and in some ways, I am.

The Challenge Beneath the Surface

But only those closest to me know how deeply challenging this year has been. This was the first year I lived without any biological parents, grandparents, or siblings. My sister passed away in March after a long and grueling battle in the hospital. It was a year of grief and loss, a year that tested my spirit and forced me to reevaluate how I show up for others and myself.

Opportunities and Obstacles

Grief is like a vacuum—it can consume you and snuff out the flame that lights and guides your path forward. In those darkest moments, my fire felt like it was down to the last ember. Yet I still had responsibilities. My teams at Esri and NorthStar needed me, and the communities I serve were counting on me to keep pushing for change. To get through, I had to find a way to tend to my fire, even when it felt like it was nearly extinguished.

That’s when the concept of Maintaining and Growing Your Campfire crystallized in my head and heart. A conversation with a friend helped me realize that even the smallest ember has potential. You can shelter it, protect it, and breathe life into it until it grows into something that can sustain you—and those around you.

What I Did

I leaned into my campfire metaphor to find strength. I recognized that my fire couldn’t burn for everyone else if I didn’t first protect and nurture it for myself. That meant creating boundaries, asking for help, and finding moments of joy and connection amid the pain. I also reflected on my guiding principles, including the vow I made as a child to “never cry over spilled milk.” It wasn’t about denying my grief but about focusing on what I could do to move forward.

I allowed myself to grieve but also to dream. With the leadership and support of my NorthStar family, we pushed NorthStar of GIS: Black in Geography, GIS, and the Geosciences 's programming forward. I launched Black At Work, started interviews for my Green Book-inspired project, and pushed forward with a storytelling grant focused on Black migrations. Each step wasn’t just about fulfilling professional goals—it was about creating space for others to thrive and find belonging.

Have You Ever Felt Your Flame Burning Out?

If you’re feeling like your fire is burning low, remember this: even the smallest ember has power. Find ways to protect your fire, nurture it, and let it grow. Reflect on what fuels you—your principles, your community, your purpose—and lean into those sources of strength.

This isn’t just about surviving. It’s about thriving and creating space for others to do the same. Let’s keep building the fires that light the way for a better world.

Credits

Who I'm With

• Harriet Tubman’s Family Members: During my visit to historic sites connected to the Underground Railroad, I had the honor of sharing a meal with descendants of Harriet Tubman. Their stories enriched my understanding of this history and the project’s purpose.
• My Teams at Esri and NorthStar: Throughout this year, the people in my professional and nonprofit worlds stood with me, contributing their talents and passion to advancing racial equity and justice. Yolanda Chioma Richards and Rhesha Moreau are my found sisters in the car.
• TEDx MidAtlantic: I'm sure that's really just a picture of Jim Sciutto , but that's me he's speaking with lol
• National Geographic Explorer Community: At the DEI retreat, fellow Explorers collaborated with me to design a session that moved the needle on inclusion and representation. My homies and colleagues Aliyah Griffith and Tara Roberts are also pictured in front of a #MelanatedAndMapping step-and-repeat at Homecoming.
• Friends and Colleagues: From the Netherlands to Howard University, I was surrounded by individuals working to preserve, honor, and amplify Black histories and futures. NiNsee , Ojise Network , Sylvana Terlage , Kris Graves

Photo Credits

• Empathy Atlas: An Immersive Journey Through Black Migration Histories: National Geographic Explorer Clinton Johnson’s work focuses on advancing social justice and equity through GIS mapping technology. His project, “Empathy Atlas: An Immersive Journey Through Black Migration Histories,” funded by the National Geographic Society , aims to develop the first phase of the Empathy Atlas system. This phase focuses on the Underground Railroad and related Black migrations, bringing to life the personal narratives, emotions, and experiences of Black families. The project fosters a deeper understanding and empathy among audiences, serving as a model for integrating human stories into data-driven narratives for broader societal impact.
• National Geographic Explorer DEI Retreat: Other National Geographic Explorers in attendance shared reflections on this experience better than I could and listed the others in the photos. Check those out here: Aliyah Griffith, Cátia P. Dombaxe, MSc
• NorthStar's Homecoming Photos: All photos of NorthStar of GIS's Homecoming event at Howard University were taken by Yolanda Chioma Richards
• TEDx MidAtlantic 2024 Photos: The photos taken during TEDx MidAtlantic were captured and shared by the TEDx MidAtlantic team. You can find more photos in their Flickr album.