Trailblazers Introduces Shifting Culture, an Approachable Resource Hub for Active Transportation in Northwest Arkansas

Since 2021, our team at Trailblazers has developed multi-use trails and created education-focused programs that have led the region in advocating for active transportation. In a continuation of the organization’s commitment to community outreach and advocacy, the launch of the new Shifting Culture blog will provide resources to make trails and active transportation accessible to all Northwest Arkansas residents for practical, everyday, and recreational uses.

Shifting Culture will be the Northwest Arkansans’ guide to becoming comfortable and confident in using trails and active transportation in the region. We aim to reach people of all abilities and lifestyles, from those curious about commuting and other practical applications of active transportation to avid cyclists and everyone in between.

As the Director of Community Outreach and Advocacy at Trailblazers, it is my belief that this blog will act as a new, powerful tool to lead the development of an innovative regional recreation and transportation movement that places trails, cycling, and active transportation infrastructure at the core of an inclusive, vibrant, and healthy culture. Guided by Trailblazers’ Trails and Active Transportation Equity Report findings, Shifting Culture will foster residents' growing adoption of active transportation by removing barriers that underrepresented communities face which prevent access and use of active transportation networks.

The new concept will continue community outreach and active transportation advocacy with a focus on the organization’s values.

Shifting Culture will shine a light on the network of organizations that we partner with in the region with guest blogs and interviews with community leaders to explain the resources available, where to find relevant information, and how to apply it to everyday life.

All are welcome to join in the pursuit of shifting the culture of trails and active transportation in Northwest Arkansas to a more inclusive and approachable concept to underrepresented groups in the Northwest Arkansas community.

To keep up with Shifting Culture, follow Trailblazers on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and sign up for the monthly newsletter.

Have a suggestion? Leave a comment below on what you’d like to see on Shifting Culture!

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About the Author:

Prentis Grayson, Director of Community Outreach & Advocacy

Prentis Grayson is the Director of Community Outreach and Advocacy at Trailblazers, known for driving impactful initiatives and creating meaningful change. With a background in community organizing and advocacy, including roles at the Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault and Hearst Communications 4029 News, Prentis is committed to positively impacting society. His community involvement includes serving on the Northwest Arkansas Continuum of Care Board of Directors, consulting for the Arkansas National Interscholastic Cycling Assoc., and being part of the Health Equity Advisory Board at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science. He is also a fellow with the Better Bikeshare Partnership and the National Association of City Transportation Officials, focusing on social justice and community engagement.

About Shifting Culture

Shifting Culture is a community-focused blog series by the non-profit organization Trailblazers. Our mission is to lead the development of an innovative regional recreation and transportation movement that places trails, cycling, and active transportation infrastructure at the core of an inclusive, vibrant, and healthy culture. Shifting Culture is a resource for underrepresented communities in Northwest Arkansas to build confidence in using the trail and active transportation network for all lifestyles, from practical to recreational uses.

About Trailblazers

Trailblazers is a non-profit formed in 2021 through the merger of NWA Trailblazers, an organization that has developed 300+ miles of multi-use trails, including the OZ Trails network and BikeNWA, a bicycle advocacy and education-focused organization that has led the region in advocating for active transportation. Our core work areas include Trail Development and Consulting and Community Outreach and Advocacy.