Mercy M’fon (they/them, she/her) is a queer Nigerian American storyteller, educator, and changemaker whose work lives at the intersection of survival, identity, and belonging. With over fifteen years of experience in community-driven education, Mercy has dedicated their career to amplifying underrepresented voices and creating spaces for connection, whether in the outdoors, through leadership, or on the page.

As the Founder and Director of Strategic Initiatives at Wild Diversity, Mercy has reshaped the landscape of outdoor accessibility, ensuring BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities have opportunities to experience nature on their own terms. Their work has earned recognition nationwide, including the Individual Service Award from the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals, a Recognition Award from U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and the Outdoor Retailer Inspiration Award. Mercy’s impact has been featured in three documentaries, including Our Trails Too, and in national outlets such as USA Today and Outside Magazine.

A storyteller in every sense, Mercy has shared stories on stages ranging from TEDx Mt. Hood and Outdoor Retailer to SLANT, Portland’s live queer storytelling showcase, and has led workshops for communities and organizations of all kinds. Their fiction grows directly out of that practice, rooted in lived experience as a Black queer creative and grounded in themes of resilience, intimacy, and finding connection even when the world feels like it’s falling apart.