Walking The Walk with Andrew

Andrew's deep connection with nature began during a childhood visit to his grandmother's village in Ghana. It was there that he learned to appreciate the many facets of the outdoors—not just as a playground, but as a vital source of food, water, shelter, and wellness. This early reverence for nature has stayed with him throughout his life.

During the pandemic, when the outdoors became a sanctuary amidst lockdowns, Andrew found solace on the trails. Hiking offered him a much-needed outlet to disconnect, gain perspective, and reflect. For Andrew, the challenges of daily life seem to shrink when he's surrounded by nature, leaving him feeling clear-minded and recharged.

Today, Andrew continues to prioritize outdoor activities, often seeking out National Parks wherever his travels take him. Nature remains a crucial part of his routine, helping him stay grounded and refreshed.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Andrew Kwabena Darko but I go by Andrew or Drew for short. I'm a first generation Ghanaian-American who grew up mostly in Texas. I’ve always had an appreciation for culture and the expression of it, be it language, music, food, fashion, or sports. I enjoy learning the history of people and places to better understand and appreciate the present. Today, I’m an entrepreneur and construction manager currently living and working in Germany.

Growing up, what was your relationship like with the outdoors?

Looking back, I realize that I mostly viewed outside as the arena for whatever sport we played in the neighborhood. I grew up in the 90s before high speed internet. We would play basketball, football, or baseball till the street lights came on. It wasn't until we took a family road trip to the Grand Canyon when I actually disassociated the outdoors from competition and really gained an appreciation for nature.

 A few years later, my mom took us back to Ghana to visit our grandmother's village and I learned to value the different facets of nature at a very basic level. I witnessed the importance of the outdoors not only as a venue for play but as a source of food, water, shelter, and wellness. I hold that reverence for the outdoors to this day.

We met in Ghana in 2022. What was that trip like for you? Have you visited other countries in the continent? If yes, where abouts and what was it like? How did your experiences differ? 

I try to visit Ghana at least once a year to visit my grandmothers and connect with friends and other family members. Back in 2022, I was just picking up surfing and wanted to surf in Ghana for the first time. It was a much needed change of pace compared to most of my previous trips. I got a chance to be still and connect with a lot of young, talented creatives and entrepreneurs. I always say that amongst the vast number of resources on the Continent, the most valuable of them all is the people. I really came back from that trip inspired. 

Though I was born in Africa, I haven’t gotten the chance to travel extensively throughout the continent. Of the countries I have visited, Egypt was one of the most memorable. Obviously, it's a country rich in culture and history but it's a little more fast paced compared to Ghana. What I took from that trip was an admiration of the ingenuity of ancient Africans and the importance of preserving and protecting that history.

I looked back at our DM and you mentioned you hike almost every week. Are you keeping this up? How did hiking become a part of your life?

During the pandemic, when the only place not locked down was outside, I definitely spent a lot of time on the trails. Hiking really gave me an outlet to disconnect and really put things into perspective. I think we all face day to day challenges that affect our mental and physical well-being. Personally, when I'm outside in nature, those challenges shrink a little. I really value that time to self reflect and usually end up clear minded and recharged.

I still make it a point to do some sort of outdoor activity regularly. Usually when I travel, I start by searching for National Parks near the cities I’m in.

Besides hiking, what are some of your favorite outdoor activities?

Aside from hiking, I enjoy being in the water. Whether it be in my kayak on the lake or on a surfboard in the ocean. I played sports growing up and even though I’m getting older, I still look for random courts to run pick up basketball games. On the other hand, I also don't mind being outdoors and not being active. I'm a big fan of the kick back with friends in the backyard, at the park or at the beach.

As a Black man who spends his time outdoors, how have you been able to feel comfortable and make space for yourself in the outdoors?

As Black people, we possess genetic characteristics that predispose us to outdoor activities. Our melanin and our hair texture serve as a natural barrier from the sun's radiation. At the same time we need to spend more time in the sun to get the necessary vitamin D. I truly believe that biologically, we are meant to spend time outdoors, especially in tropical climates. So personally, I don’t feel the need to make space for myself outdoors. Being outdoors has always felt familiar. 

I understand that in America, there is a historical social and political context to consider when explaining why we don’t see many Black people in outdoor spaces such as state and national parks. That being said, the outdoors is for everyone, Black people included.

Can you share any words for a reader who wants to make space for themselves outdoors but hasn’t made the jump? 

I think spending time outdoors can be one of the best exercises for both physical and mental health. Whether you prefer time in solitude or with friends, being in nature should be an opportunity to relax and appreciate how fortunate we are to be on this amazing planet at this time, despite our everyday personal or professional challenges.