My name is Sherman Neal II and I am a Marine Corps veteran, attorney, filmmaker, and social justice advocate. My personal and professional goals revolve around building equitable, ethical, and innovative campaigns that result in more resilient communities. At present, I am committed to doing that work as the Deputy Campaign Director for Sierra Club Military Outdoors in addition to serving as an agent and advisor for college athletes.

In August of 2023 I was invited on a trip that changed the trajectory of my life — the 2023 Team River Runner Affinity Clinic. I had never been whitewater boating, not been involved with the organization, and I had never enjoyed the outdoors with such a diverse group. I learned quite a bit about myself floating down the Lower Salmon River and sleeping under the stars. I learned from every conversation with other participants and I learned to challenge myself in ways that only getting dumped out of an inflatable kayak in a Class IV rapid can do. I also left a firm believer that TRR has a special opportunity to leverage the outdoors to develop minority leaders in the veteran community.

I am excited to serve on the DEI Committee to amplify voices and create similar opportunities for other historically marginalized veterans to experience joy paddling a river in ways they may not have otherwise have thought possible. I am conscious that my life experience as a black, able-bodied, straight, cisgender, father raised in suburban Chicago requires deliberately seeking guidance from, and listening to people whose experiences differ from mine in order to build equitable and welcoming communities.

“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” – Desmond Tutu