Podcasts about saray khumalo

Jane Dutton speaks to Thabile Nkunjana, agricultural economist about the impact of high cattle feed prices and a shortage of slaughter-ready cattle on beef prices, affecting local supermarkets and butcheries. In other interviews, Saray Khumalo, the trailblazing explorer and mountaineer who became the first black African woman to summit Mount Everest, discusses her remarkable journey and insights on money. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.Thank you for listening to The Money Show podcast.Listen live - The Money Show with Stephen Grootes is broadcast weekdays between 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) on 702 and CapeTalk. There’s more from the show at www.themoneyshow.co.za Subscribe to the Money Show daily and weekly newslettersThe Money Show is brought to you by Absa. Follow us on:702 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702702 on Instagram: www.instagram.com/talkradio702702 on X: www.x.com/Radio702702 on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@radio702CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkzaCapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jane Dutton speaks to Saray Khumalo,the trailblazing explorer and mountaineer who became the first black African woman to summit Mount Everest, to discuss her remarkable journey and insights on money. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.Thank you for listening to The Money Show podcast.Listen live - The Money Show with Stephen Grootes is broadcast weekdays between 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) on 702 and CapeTalk.There’s more from the show at www.themoneyshow.co.zaSubscribe to the Money Show daily and weekly newslettersThe Money Show is brought to you by Absa.Follow us on:702 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702702 on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702702 on Instagram: www.instagram.com/talkradio702702 on X: www.x.com/Radio702702 on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@radio702CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkzaCapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we delve into the art of breaking through barriers and embracing new perspectives. Our guest today, Saray Khumalo, exemplifies how the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning. Joining us from Johannesburg, South Africa, Saray is an award-winning mountaineer, Guinness World Record holder, author, speaker, coach, and philanthropist.In 2019, after three determined attempts, Saray made history by becoming the first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest. Her journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of dreams. Tune in to hear Saray's incredible story and learn how you, too, can reach beyond your limits.

Can Africa become the next innovation hub for climate tech?From solar power to recycled materials and carbon capture, an array of technological advances are promising to help humanity live more sustainably–and fight global warming. But for now, much of that tech is still out of reach for most people in the Global South. In Africa, some pioneering entrepreneurs and advocates are trying to change that: in this episode of On Thin Ice, host Paolo Bosonin speaks with climate entrepreneur Bilha Ndirangu and alpinist Saray Khumalo, who share their strategies for making Africa a global climate innovation hub.Saray, who is credited with breaking several records, including becoming the first Black woman to complete the so-called Seven Summits, climbs and guides groups to raise money to bring a better education to children across the continent. Bilha is known for leading several climate related projects in Africa, and she recently announced an ambitious partnership with ClimeWorks of Switzerland to build a massive carbon capture facility.So what's at stake for a continent that emits a small percentage of global emissions, and yet faces direct consequences of climate change, such as droughts, natural disasters, and the disappearance of glaciers?Bilha and Saray say the solutions lie in Africa's young population, in its rich natural resources, and fast-growing economies.On Thin Ice is produced by Iceworm Media, in partnership with the Bally Peak Outlook Foundation. Head to ballypeakoutlook.org/ to learn more about the foundation's mission to safeguard the world's most fragile mountain habitats from the adverse effects of global warming and excessive tourism.Production credits:Script editor and editorial advisor: Dave VetterVideo and audio editor: Canyon James Coleman-McdowallOriginal music: Nadir CassimWould you like to suggest guests and projects that we should cover? Do you have feedback or questions? Email paolo@iceworm.media

"Every one of us has his or her personal mountain to climb. It might not be Everest or it might not be a physical mountain. Yours might be in the boardroom, on a bicycle, in your family, at school... There's always something we need to achieve. Something big, something difficult and something meaningful... And when you get there, remember to be thankful and reach down and pull someone else up with you."Africa has its fair share of mountains ranges – the Rwenzoris, the Drakensburgs, The Atlas mountains, the Nuba, Mt Kenya, and of course Mt. Kilimanjaro. They all form a nice backdrop, but very few look at them and say: “I'm going to go and climb that mountain!” Those who do lace up their hiking boots and set out to conquer those mountains are a special group – the mountaineer extra-ordinaries. But one woman is in a league of her own. Saray Khumalo has done all there's to do with African mountains and once that was done and dusted, she turned her gaze to Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain on earth at 8,849m. But that wasn't enough. She recently travelled to the South Pole, and she's now planning her trip in the opposite direction – the North Pole. Presenter: Victoria Uwonkunda Guest: Saray Khumalo

You know the saying about no mountain being high enough? Well, in today's episode, Zoja and I spend time with Saray Khumalo - a global speaker and peak leadership expert. During our chat we learn more about what drives Saray to keep climbing and to make sure others climb with her. It was our pleasure to chat with Saray as you'll find out that she stops at nothing to achieve her goals that inspire others. When you are done listening, be sure to get yourself a copy of her book, “My Journey to the Top of the World…And the life lessons I learned along the way.” Get to know better our guest by her social media accounts : IG: @saraykhumalo, TW: @saraykhumalo, Linked In: Saray Khumalo

In this truly remarkable life story, Saray Khumalo shares her epic journey to the top of the world: Mount Everest. From her childhood in Zambia and Zaire, to a corporate career in South Africa, through marriage and motherhood, Saray harboured one overriding ambition: to reach the summits of the world's highest mountains. She first summited Mount Kilimanjaro, and then others, but her ultimate goal was to summit Everest. After three unsuccessful attempts, Saray became the first black African woman to summit the world's highest peak. Her success was hard won, though – along the way, she suffered severe personal setbacks, serious health issues and life-threatening injuries. But her perseverance finally paid off, and Saray's success at high altitude has helped change the narrative about who belongs on the mountains and whose stories are told. Saray's story, which redefines common perceptions about what women are capable of doing and achieving, will inspire girls and women from all walks of life. In this fascinating memoir, she shares not only her incredible mountaineering feats, but also the lessons she learnt about life, perseverance and failing forward. —> Are you ready to join the most impactful community of extraordinary women in the world? Accelerate your success by defining your vision, growing your leadership, expanding your influence, and leaving a lasting legacy. Learn more: https://leadhershipglobal.com/join-us/

Led by Saray Khumalo, the first Black woman to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, Dineo Dowd climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in August. Dineo says, “it changed my life. I'm a different person.” On this climb, Dineo learned about being patient, trusting her body, trusting the process and the importance of communication. As a result of this experience, she is planning an annual women's climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro every August - the first planning meeting for the next hike is in just a few weeks. #BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackinWisconsin #BlackWomenWhoHike #BlackWomenWhoClimb #Madison365 #DopeBlackPodcasts #BlackinWisconsin #BlackintheOutdoors #ClimbKilimanjaro #BlackWomenClimbKilimanjaro #SummitKilimanjaro #BlackWomenSummit

We all face challenges and adversity. Everyone will experience twists and turns, from everyday challenges to traumatic events. People generally adapt well over time to life-changing situations and stressful situations—in part thanks to resilience. While challenges, failures and adverse events are certainly painful and difficult, they don't have to determine the outcome of your life. There are many aspects of your life you can control, modify, and grow with. That's the role of resilience. Becoming more resilient not only helps you get through difficult circumstances, it also empowers you to grow and even improve.  Today, you'll hear Saray Khumalo's story, which redefines common perceptions about what women are capable of doing and achieving. In her fascinating memoir, “My Journey to the Top of the World” she shares not only her incredible mountaineering feats, but also the lessons she learnt about life, perseverance and failing forward. —> Are you ready to join the most impactful community of extraordinary women in the world? Accelerate your success by defining your vision, growing your leadership, expanding your influence, and leaving a lasting legacy. Learn more: https://leadhershipglobal.com/join-us/ 

On Thursday, July 28th, Dineo Dowd, Madison-based author and women's outdoor guide, started her journey to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.  In this episode of Black Oxygen, we discuss how Dineo made the decision to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, her year-long training to prepare for the climb, and balancing being a mother and having dreams on your own. She says the hardest part of her training was trying to be a perfect mom, making sure that everyone has their needs met and feelings of guilt for being gone for such a long time. Dineo joins a team of 19 other women, led by Saray Khumalo of Summits With a Purpose, for this trip.  Towards the end of this episode Dineo reminds us all that the outdoors is a great place for everybody. Summits with a Purpose - http://summitswithapurpose.org

Couch Saray Khumalo Such a pleasure to welcome back to the couch today mountaineer Saaaara Khumalo. We last chatted to her in 2019, not long after she became the first black African woman to reach the top of Mount Everest. The summit was still recent, the trauma she'd faced en route was too, and I don't think it had quite yet sunk in just what her achievement had meant to so many people. But since then she has had time to reflect on the journey, to reflect on the personal mountains she climbed en route to Everest, and to think deeply about what she has learned along that route. The results is her new autobiography called My Journey to the Top of the World, which has just been published by Penguin Random HouseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saray Khumalo made history when she became the first black African woman to climb Mount Everest. In this conversation, you'll learn how Saray tried not once, not twice, but three times to summit Everest before she was successful. It reminds me of that Winston Churchill quote “Never, never, never give up”. If we could all build such resilience in our lives, we could truly do even more extraordinary things. One line for Saray I will never forget is that “It always seems impossible until it's done”. Saray is also a mother, transformational coach, and philanthropist, helping such organizations as Kids Haven, The Lunchbox Fund, and Mandela Libraries. Learn more about Saray at www.saraykhumalo.com

Gugu Mhlungu speaks to Explorer, Mountaineer & Author, Saray Khumalo on her book titled “My Journey To The Top Of The World” which is said to be a remarkable life story of Saray's epic journey to the top of the Mount Everest, released this June and can be found at all Exclusive Books stores nationwide.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm ‘Enery the eighth; Exceptional Speaker Day; June Brown; What no programmes?; The role of the MC; They asked nasty questions; Be Unique; An interview with Saray Khumalo; Music from the Lost Hollow band

Summiting Mt. Everest is a transformational experience. The ability to reach something extraordinarily high is a triumph. And that success can be transferred into your business goals. Your goals may be difficult, but they are not impossible. If people can climb Mt. Everest, you can accomplish your objectives. Join Elizabeth Bachman as she talks to the founder of Summits With A Purpose, Saray Khumalo, about her Mt. Everest climb. She is the first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest. Listen to her story, from the near-death experiences to the leadership lessons. Learn how to reach your true potential today!

Mountaineer and explorer Saray Khumalo became the first Black African woman to summit Everest - but it was far from a simple trip. Three previous attempts had been thwarted by lethal landslides, earthquakes, bad weather and, sadly, numerous deaths. However, this didn't stop Saray's drive and determination to push towards her dream.Listen to all episodes and discover more about How to Be Superhuman at http://redbull.com/superhuman

On this weeks episode, I chat with award winning Mountaineer, philanthropist and Executive Coach Saray Khumalo. Saray is the Founder of Summits With a Purpose an initiative that has raised funds and built physical and digital libraries in disadvantaged African schools. She believes that literacy and education have the power to change the narrative for the next generation. She is also the Founder and  Host of the Podcast, Because It's There.On May 16, 2019, on her fourth attempt, Saray summited Mount Everest, becoming the first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest. We talked about how suffering personal loss caused her to lean into a life of service and purpose. What it means to discover ones why, failing forward and the fact that we are all extraordinary and being ordinary is a choice we make. Saray is also a fully certified Executive Coach. She uses lessons from her mountaineering triumphs to help businesses and individuals explore and unleash their full potential and achieve set goals. Saray's African Business Story is about being deliberate in breaking the shackles of convention. It is about triumph.To learn more about Saray and the work she does - https://saraykhumalo.com/AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES WEBSITE:www.africanbusinessstories.comAFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/afribizstories/AFRICAN BUSINESS STORIES FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/afribizstories

Saray Khumalo is an award-winning Mountaineer, who provides world-class Transformational Coaching to entrepreneurs, executives, business professionals, and sales teams all over the world.   Connect with us! WEBSITES: Speaking: https://www.cbbowman.com/ Coaching Association: https://www.acec-association.org/ Workplace Equity & Equality: https://www.wee-consulting.org/ Institute/ Certification: https://www.meeco-institute.org/   SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbbowman/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/execcoaches Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CB.BowmanMBA/ Youtbue: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjZU3KqucXRXDsrHLvj8UIw?sub_confirmation=1

Today I am rounding up some of the many lessons I learned from each of the incredible women we featured on the WOMEN WHO DARE SERIES in celebration of International women's month. Jackie Mgido, Modesta Mahiga-Mbughuni, Saray Khumalo, Adetola Akinola, Njambi Koikai, Brendah Nyakudya, Yawaa Hansen-Quao, Pastor Funmi Johnson, Barbara Kamba-Nyathi, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, I thank you all for sharing your stories here. I salute your courage and wisdom, and wish you every success as you continue to do your work in the world. #womenwhodare

Saray Khumalo is an award winning Mountaineer who provides world-class Transformational Coaching to entrepreneurs, executives, business professionals, and sales teams all over the world.In our chat, we discuss the leadership lessons from her extensive corporate career that applied in the mountains and the ones she took from the mountains to business strategy and transformation coaching. She shares on the importance of planning for success just as much as we would for any other risks or failure and why we need to ensure equality in education on the continent.Listen to this episode on: Apple Podcasts | Buzzsprout | Google Podcasts | SpotifyConnect with Saray on the following platforms: @saraykhumalo | Instagram | Website Connect with Scale Up Africa: @scaleupafricaco | Instagram | Website

Confronting Death and Asking "What's Next?" Saray Khumalo.......Saray Khumalo is the First Black African woman to summit Everest and reach the South Pole. She’s an award-winning mountaineer and a philanthropist who has used her climbs to build libraries across South Africa. Saray has recently partnered with Apple to Build Digital Libraries. She is also part of Forbes Woman and Africa Leading Women Summit 2021. Saray is a transformational and business executive coach of whom the South African president said, "She reminds us that through courage and perseverance, we can achieve our highest ambitions, for the greater good of humanity." More on Saray Khumalo: www.saraykhumalo.comSocial Media:https://www.facebook.com/saraykhumaloSpeaker/https://twitter.com/saraykhumalo?lang=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/saray-khumalo-acis-5437b21/https://www.instagram.com/saraykhumalo/ ......To find out more about hiring Dov Baron as an advisor or strategist for yourself or your organization: http://DovBaron.com Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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Saray Khumalo doesn't just push barriers, break taboos and smash ceilings, she also climbs mountains - literally! She became the first black African woman to reach the summit of Mt Everest on her 4th attempt, which tells you everything you need to know about her resilience, determination and strength of character. But for many years Saray was coasting along, doing the things a good girl is supposed to do and ticking the right boxes. As an experienced business executive, she has a solid track record in some of South Africa's leading financial institutions as an eCommerce and Loyalty Specialist. It took losing a family member for her to ask herself some tough questions about purpose, passion and the price of complacency. Today she is a global transformational coaching working with executives and business leaders across the world. She is also the founder of Summits with a Purpose, an initiative that has raised funds and built physical and digital libraries in disadvantaged African schools. She believes that literacy and education have the power to change the narrative for the next generation.

Saray Khumalo is the first Black African woman to summit Everest. She is a motivational speaker, transformational coach, and successful corporate executive. In this episode, Adii and Saray discuss mountaineering, failing up, finding a unique purpose in life, imposter syndrome, and why the sky is not the limit.

Saray Khumalo, the first black African woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest is a strong independent woman who lives to inspire and she's always pushing herself to new and better heights. Today she talks to me about being African, being a mother and what drives her. She is incredibly driven but she is also very humble, making it her mission to contribute and inspire others to be better and to be more. And she makes you believe that you can. On the 25th of October she will be spinning for eight hours to raise funds for digital literacy. And she invites corporates and everyone else to come and support this initiative that iwill be hosted at Planet Fitness gymnasiums in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

What do you do after you've climbed Mount Everest? And if you are the first black African woman to achieve this? Most people would spend their entire lives celebrating that major feat and view it as their one major accomplishment. And then bask in the sunlight of that moment for the rest of their lives. But not if you are Saray Khumalo. Saray is always striving for the next big adventure, and she does it with a bang, pushing boundaries and breaking down barriers. And her next big thing, for now, is to spin for eight hours. If you've ever done a spinning class, you will understand how gruelling just one hour can be, and I won't blame you if you clutch your heart in shock and reach for something to calm your nerves. Just imagining eight hours of spinning is causing my system to shut down. But Saray is doing it with passion and determination while making it sound so easy. And it is for a cause that lies very close to her heart. She is attempting to raise R1 million rand for digital literacy. This is all happening on the 25th of October and you can be part of this event. She is inviting corporates, and people to come and take part in this event. If the goal of R1 million is reached, it will set a new record and it will change the lives of children across South Africa. Saray Khumalo is a leader who leads by example, and she builds people in more ways that she will ever realise. It's impossible to be in contact in her and not be touched by her humility, generosity, tenacity and her genuine desire to make this world a better place. I spoke to her in this podcast about her journey, her love for education, her setbacks and her triumphs. If ever you felt that life dealt you a blow, and you will never get up again, Saray will remember you about the power you possess to overcome anything and that you can accomplish even the most impossible dreams. She admits that success doesn't come easy, but as long as you do you with determination, the right mindset, and the absolute refusal to give up you will reach that destination you envisioned. And then when you've achieved what seemed like an unattainable goal, you will realise that there's still so much more. And continue on your journey to even greater achievements. I hope you'll enjoy listening to the podcast and be inspired by a phenomenal, courageous and authentic woman. And feel the Saray Khumalo effect. For more information about the cyclothon go to: https://www.multiply.co.za/engaged/campaign/events or visit https://ischoolafrica.com/spin4literacy/

Do you feel dampened down by the world situation or energised to be your very best and play your part in contributing to the solutions? The good news is that we all have the potential to be extraordinary, This week's guest knows exactly what it takes to overcome your own personal summit and rise to success: Saray N'kusi Khumalo is an award-winning mountaineer and a business executive with over 18 years' experience in leading South African blue-chip companies, which have been driving innovation and continue to change the financial and wellness industries globally. Saray also became the first black African woman to reach the summit of Everest. Join us as we discuss how we can all release our ability to step away from the ordinary and achieve the extraordinary!

Do you feel dampened down by the world situation or energised to be your very best and play your part in contributing to the solutions? The good news is that we all have the potential to be extraordinary, This week's guest knows exactly what it takes to overcome your own personal summit and rise to success: Saray N'kusi Khumalo is an award-winning mountaineer and a business executive with over 18 years' experience in leading South African blue-chip companies, which have been driving innovation and continue to change the financial and wellness industries globally. Saray also became the first black African woman to reach the summit of Everest. Join us as we discuss how we can all release our ability to step away from the ordinary and achieve the extraordinary!

No matter what decade it is, conquering the summit of Mt. Everest is no easy feat and is definitely a cause for celebration. Describing the feeling of what it’s like to look at the world from above is Saray Khumalo, the first black woman from Zambia to summit Everest and reach the South Pole. Joining Dr. Diane Hamilton, she tells her exhilarating experience as she traversed the harsh environment and shares the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey. Know what mindset and determination a person needs when planning to challenge any mountain and understand the reason why it’s important to respect any mountain and not be complacent. During the Coronavirus pandemic, any solution or innovation to improving the circumstances are a welcome sight. The President of Oaklu, Morgan Reynolds, and his team have come up with the Turnkey Hospital to aid in the Healthcare side of the fight against COVID-19. He explains that it’s constructed in modules to make sure that it’s rapidly available to be deployed anywhere in the world. Morgan also goes into the details and functions of the Turnkey Hospital and how it compares in price as opposed to the construction of a standard Hospital. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join the Take The Lead community today:DrDianeHamilton.comDr. Diane Hamilton FacebookDr. Diane Hamilton TwitterDr. Diane Hamilton LinkedInDr. Diane Hamilton YouTubeDr. Diane Hamilton Instagram

Saray Khumalo Saray Khumalo is a Zambia-born South African explorer and mountaineer. In May 2019, she became the first black African woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Fewer than 5,000 people have managed to summit Mount Everest. Saray is currently on track to complete the explorers grand slam by December, 2020, which involves summiting all seven of the highest peaks on seven continents. Morgan Reynolds Morgan Reynolds created Turnkey Hospital in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Turnkey Hospital is a fully equipped ready-to-move-in hospital that can be deployed almost anywhere in about 90 days. Setting new standards in providing excellent, accessible healthcare.

It is okay to say goodbye to partnerships and friendships that don't serve your purpose.In today's Happy Like Buddha Podcast, Adewale is joined by guest speaker Saray Khumalo, a Zambia-born South African business executive, explorer and mountaineer. In May 2019, she became the first black African woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. She is also known to have summited three other highest peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus in Russia.Saray is a transformational coach, and if you would like to be coached by her, you can reach out to her through her website at saraykhumalo.com.We are going to be talking about how you can re-invent yourself for success with personal transformation.Listen carefully when Saray recommends routines you can practice in your everyday life to help you observe your thoughts so that you are more conscious and able to know what it is you need to transform.You will need to listen to this episode more than once to get the full wisdom dropped by Saray.Please Review us and Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple and Spotify. Tag me @therealwaleadejumo on Instagram and @waleadejumo on Twitter too!Mentions:Zasttra Marketplace sponsored this episode. Zasttra Marketplace is an online marketplace where you can shop hundreds of thousands of products which are delivered to any country. Visit: www.zasttra.com.

Today, we discuss diversity, purpose, mountains, setbacks, and success. Our guest on this episode is Saray Khumalo, the first Black African woman to have summited Mount Everest and to reach the South Pole. Saray is an award-winning mountaineer, a speaker, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropist. She is South Africa, born in Zambia and of Rwandan descent. Last year, after three previous failed attempts, Saray reached the summit of Mount Everest, to much acclaim and fanfare, including from those who likely doubted her. When you listen to her story, you realise that this achievement encompassed many highs, but also lows and setbacks – including . Mountaineering involves making decisions in an environment in which a poor decision can lead to paying the ultimate price. This is real-world risk management. Beyond this, the reality is that even in 2020, diversity in mountaineering and adventuring simply isn't there. Many do not think about a stereotypical adventurer and envision a black woman. And that, is in many ways, why Saray does what she does. This is both an inspiring and insightful episode. Show notes: Saray's website Saray on Twitter Saray's successful summit of Mount Everest Saray's South Pole expedition Saray featured by the Nelson Mandela Foundation- “Madiba exemplified” Saray's TED talk _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Like what you heard? Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/1PjLmK Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Our free course module “How to Set Up Any Decision for Success” from our upcoming course How to Make Decisions With Calm and Confidence

Saray Khumalo is an award-winning mountaineer, the first black African woman to Summit Everest and ski to the South Pole. She has over 18 years’ experience as a business executive in eCommerce within the financial services industry. She is the founder of #Summitswithapurpose an initiative which she has used to raise over R1.8 million towards literacy and education.   Saray is a motivational speaker and transformational coach who uses her journey as a mountaineer and executive to nudge coachable individuals and teams into peak performance. She believes that the sky is not the limit and we should therefore all aim higher than the sky in everything as we change the narrative for the next generation. She is on a quest to complete the Explorer Grand Slam, a challenge that has only been completed by 67 people around the world.   Ian & Saray talk about; Training to be a part of the Explorers Grand Slam The journey to summit Everest Founding ‘Summits with a purpose’ Saray’s charity work for education Opening library’s for children in South Africa Her Everest experience Skiing the South Pole Balancing work life with being a mother & an adventurer   Ian live streamed (Facebook, YouTube & Twitter) for two hours on the 24th July 2020 and interviewed 3 of speakers back to back! We have edited those videos and created bonus podcast episodes. The original videos can be watched again on the respective social media platforms. Industry Angel Twitter Industry Angel Website Podcast Sponsors;- Far North Sales & Marketing Carpeway

Saray is the first black African woman to ski to the South Pole and summit Mt Everest 66 years after the mountain was first summited in 1953.     Saray is an award-winning mountaineer and a business executive with over 18 years’ experience in industry leading blue-chip companies which drive innovation and change both locally and internationally.    Through mountaineering and @summitswithapurpose, she has raised over R1.5 million towards literacy and education in Africa.  As a Mandela Libraries ambassador and a social entrepreneur Saray continues to push boundaries both professionally and in mountaineering.   You can listen to Saray on the Tough Girl Podcast, new episodes are every Tuesday at 7am UK time!   Show notes Who is Saray What life was like growing up Being 1 of 7 girls Her passion for education  The sky is the limit Being a tomboy Being part of a community Why education is so important Why the world is a global village Losing her older sister Wanting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro  Making the decision to climb the 7 summits (the 7 highest mountains on every continent) How it evolved into the Explorers Grand Slam Summits with a Purpose Encouraging other people to get outdoors Finding a mentor Needing to train differently for every adventure Her first Mt Everest summit attempt in 2014 Struggling to find sponsorship and self funding the adventure Making the decision to go back Mt Everest in 2015 Becoming more committed Being in an earthquake in 2015 on Mt Everest Going to pray Almost dying in 2016 after a mountain biking accident put her in a coma for 3 weeks Recognising and celebrating the small wins  Getting 100m from the summit Being left to die in the dead zone on Mt Everest Starting to question everything Risk versus reward Figure out the why  Figure out what you can do differently and go back Deciding to go back in 2019 Feeling invincible and ready to take on anything Failing forward Leaning how to ski at the South Pole Only being able to trust her compass Mental resilience and determination during challenges Coping with Covid   Social Media    Website https://www.saraykhumalo.com    Facebook @saraykhumaloSpeaker   Instagram @saraykhumalo   Twitter  @saraykhumalo

Saray Khumalo is a Zambia-born South African explorer and mountaineer. In May 2019, she became the first black African woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.At the age of 47, this mother of 2 achieved her personal goal of submitting the highest mountain in the world. But this wasn't her first time. She had tried to conquer Everest three times before and in 2019 she finally succeeded, earning her the title of the first black African women to reach the top of Mt Everest. She talks to us on how she has achieved this summit mindset because we all have mountains in our daily lives.

Outdoor concerts and gyms; Musicians wanted; I'm going to Barbados (or not); Kanye West; Just the facts; I'm not here to discuss that; Be unique, be invaluable; An interview with Saray Khumalo; Music from the Lost Hollow Band

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In May 2019 Saray Khumalo became the first black African woman to summit Everest. She defied those who didn't believe she could achieve her dream of climbing the world’s highest peaks. The trek to the top wasn't easy though, Saray tells Andile Masuku about three previous attempts and her near-death experiences. Saray's adventurous expeditions help raise money to educate young Africans through a charity she's set up called Summits With a Purpose. Presenter: Andile Masuku Producer: Deiniol Buxton Picture: Saray Khumalo summiting Mount Everest Credit: Saray Khumalo

Saray Khumalo made history in May of this year by becoming the first black African woman to summit Everest. However this is just the tip of the iceberg; she is a mother, an accomplished businesswoman and a philanthropist. She talks us through growing up in the townships of Zambia, the effort and preparation required to summit the highest point on planet Earth and the charities that she is raising money for with her adventures. Donate to her cause, 7 Summits with a purpose via the link here - http://www.participateforgood.com/pro... _________________________________________________________ Follow the podcast! Spotify - http://bit.ly/wwsspotify Apple Podcasts - http://bit.ly/wwsapplepod YouTube - http://bit.ly/wwsyoutube Website - https://www.wordswordsspeak.com/ Soundcloud - http://bit.ly/soundcloudpod Instagram - http://bit.ly/wwsinstagram Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WordsWordsSp... Patreon - http://bit.ly/wwspatreon Please like the video & subscribe if you think we're doing something right. Thanks for listening to season 1 and supporting the podcast!

CliffCentral.com — Sonia is in conversation with an award-winning mountaineer, a Mandela libraries ambassador, a social entrepreneur and business executive - Saray Khumalo. Saray plans to build more libraries through her mission to summit 7 highest peaks on the 7 continents around the world.

Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin Lofton, the Chief In-house Historian and host of this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history. I find history to BE inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history fits the bill in all of these ways. Personally, I hate boring stuff. So boring stuff is not allowed at rememberinghistory.com or at this Wiki history podcast show.   Speaking of the show, today’s podcast show is about Black explorers and adventurers. I think that this is a great time to learn about Black explorers. Why? Because it’s October. In the United States, October is the month that many people celebrate Columbus’s birthday. Yes, it’s a federal holiday celebrated on the second Monday in October. But it’s important to know many individual states are celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ day instead of Columbus’s birthday. And I think that we all know the reason for that.   Here at rememberinghistory.com, we are celebrating Black explorers as we have for the past several years by discussing a few Black explorers and their inspirational stories. However, this year, we’re doing something a bit different. We are going to examine WHY people explore, why exploration is so important, and then we’re gonna ask for your thoughts about what exploration means to you and where you might like to explore one day.   During this podcast, you will hear about people, places, events and issues. You will HEAR about them, but I completely understand if you want to actually SEE them, too. You can find pictures of them on the Wiki History Podcast Page on Facebook. You will find pictures, animated videos and a community of history lovers. There is also a place for comments, which I hope that you will leave for me because I really appreciate them and I do respond. Also, if you enjoy this show, please let others know about it. They might like it and find it inspirational too. Let’s change the way that we think of history—one friend at a time.   So, why is exploring important? First let’s look at what exploring actually is.   To explore means to travel to an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it.   Throughout the centuries, exploring has taken different forms. Yet there was always the aspect of a “new and unfamiliar” place. In days past, many people explored new areas to find new riches and wealth like gold or other precious minerals. Others explored new areas to acquire land that they could homestead and farm. Still others were interested in the peoples of new and unfamiliar lands for reasons such as enslavement, slave trading or promoting “civilization.”   Wow, these past purposes of exploration were not so noble or endearing. Exploitation was the focus. And we know the damage and destruction that was done to indigenous peoples and their land. Gee, this makes me think of the quote “I fear the evil that men do in the name of evil but God save us from the evil that men do in the name of good.” Lots of death and destruction in the wake of many early explorers. Columbus included. But did you know that there were several Black explorers who traveled with Columbus like the Nina brothers Juan (he actually helmed La Nina), Francisco who was a sailor and Pedro who was actually with Columbus when he landed in Trinidad. Another Black explorer, Juan Guarrido, accompanied Vasco de Gama in his search of the Fountain of Youth. Juan Guarrido was also part of the Cortez-led invasion of Mexico, which led to the conquest of the Aztecs in 1519. (Okay, that’s not a great legacy for an explorer but he is also credited with harvesting the first commercial wheat crop in the Americas.)   Modern exploration is MUCH different from exploring in days long past. (Unless perhaps you’re thinking of exploration for oil, rubber or other precious commodities.)   Modern explorers focus more on the educational and observational aspects of exploring. Today’s explorers really want to learn about a new place or to discover the existence of the new place. Take Matthew Henson for example. He is credited as being the first African American to reach the North Pole. (Some say that he was actually the first person from anywhere to reach the North Pole!)   But Matthew Henson was an able and experienced sailor, navigator and craftsman. He learned the Inuit language and culture, married an Inuit woman and learned to build igloos and drive dogsleds in the Inuit way. I remember an iconic quote from Henson saying, “I think that I am the first man to sit on the top of the world!”           And, of course, there was William Henry Sheppard who explored the Congo river area in Central Africa. Born a free man in Virginia in 1865, he attended a “colored” school where he learned to read and write then actually took classes with Booker T. Washington at Hampton College. After becoming a Presbyterian minister, he developed a burning desire to become a missionary in Africa. He was finally allowed to go to the Congo river basin in what is today called the Democratic Republic on Congo. He settled in a village called Luebo.   He met the Bakuba people and learned their methods of survival and culture. He studied their crops, textiles and music. He studied the way that the Bakuba people worshipped their ancestors. He learned to hunt and killed snakes and large game to help feed the villagers. He even killed a hippopotamus and learned to dry the meat to trade and share with the villagers.   Sheppard learned to speak the Kuba language, which helped him to discover parts of the Congo region where no American or European had ever gone. Sheppard and his local Bakuba guide would go from village to village buying eggs at different markets. For three months, he would buy and eat eggs and preach the gospel at every village where he stopped. For years, he stayed and studied the culture and, because of his excellent language skills and respectful manner, he was welcomed into the villages by the local leaders. William Henry Sheppard was definitely an explorer!   As a boy, Sheppard had often said of Africa, “When I grow up, I shall go there.” And that’s exactly what he did!   Barbara Hillary also went there! Not to the Congo but to the North Pole. Then to the South Pole. Many people told her that she was too old and that she would die from the cold and hardships. That the North Pole was no place for a 75-year old woman from New York who had reduced breathing capacity about a bout with lung cancer. But she went there anyway. At the age of 75, she went to the North Pole. Then at 79 years old (in her case, 79 years young), she went to the South Pole! She always said that age was just a number. To get out a challenge yourself. That was exactly what she did.       Another explorer who wouldn’t let age stop her was Sophie Danenberg who at age 34 became the first African American woman to climb Mount Everest. Through the urging of a childhood friend, she started mountain climbing while living in Illinois.   Danenberg's first major climb was at Mount Rainier in Washington State in 2002.  Over the next two years, she scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Baker in Washington state, and Mount Kenya, 2003.  In 2005 she scaled five more major peaks including Denali and Mount Tasman.   But 2006 proved to be her big year!   Sophie received a surprise phone call to inform her that she was permitted to join the expedition that was going up Mount Everest. And she only had one week to prepare! Yes, it was a struggle. On the mountain of mountains, she developed bronchitis, frostbite and a clogged oxygen mask. Yet but she persisted and prevailed. And, on May 19, 2006, she became the first Black woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.   Sophie was the first Black person but definitely NOT the last. With privately raised funds and sheer focus and determination, men and women from the African continent have scaled Mount Everest. Notably, Saray Khumalo from South Africa climbed Kilimanjaro, Mera Peak, LoBuche East, Elbrus and Aconcagua—all in four short years. She has faced Everest but, unfortunately, nature stood in the way. In 2014, she was deterred by deadly avalanche that killed 16 sherpa. The following year, an earthquake prevented her from climbing Everest. But Saray Khumalo will not be forever deterred and she’s already started raising the money for her next excursion—this time to the summit!—going up Everest, encouraged by a quote from Nelson Mandela: It always seems impossible until it’s done! Saray climbs for herself but also for others: she has raised money to building libraries and schools in South Africa and to provide lunches for school children. And, by the way, another South African, SibuSiso Vilane, became the first Black man to climb Mt. Everest in 2003 and has actually climbed all seven major peaks and completed the 3 Poles Challenge (you know, North Pole, South Pole and Everest).     But explorers have not stopped with Mount Everest. That’s the highest peak offered on this planet but other Black explorers went beyond the limits of planet Earth. Where did they go? They went into space! African American astronauts are a group of extreme explorers and have gone “where no man (or no ONE) has gone before!” (Sorry I just couldn’t resist that Star Trek quote!)   Let’s quickly meet them:   *Colonel Frederick Gregory—an accomplished pilot and test pilot BEFORE joining NASA. He spent more than 18 days in space and he was the first African American to pilot and command a space shuttle mission.   *Mae Jemison was a scientist and medical doctor before joining NASA. She spent 190 hours in space as a mission specialist and conducted groundbreaking experiments in space on weightlessness and motion sickness. In 1992, she became the first African American woman to go to space.   *Major General Charles Bolden was an experienced marine aviator and test pilot before joining NASA. He went on 4 flights and served as commander and pilot on the different flights. Major General Bolden spent more than 28 days in space.   *Colonel Guion Bluford, Jr.—a fighter pilot and engineer before joining NASA. In 1983, Colonel Bluford became the first African American to go to space, logging in more than 28 days in space as a mission specialist.   *Stephanie Wilson was an aerospace engineer before joining NASA as an astronaut. She has spent more than 42 days in space as a mission specialist and was responsible for robotics for spacewalking support. Ms. Wilson is still in active duty with NASA.   *Joan Higginbottam was an electrical engineer before joining NASA. She logged in more than 12 days in space where she operated the space station remote manipulator system.   *Robert Satcher was a surgeon, chemical engineer and professor at Feinburg School of Medicine before joining NASA. He was a mission specialist logging in 10 days and 2 walks in space. *Robert Curbeam was a Naval flight officer, pilot and engineer before joining NASA as an astronaut. He worked as the spacecraft communicator and spent 37 days in space, including 45 hours on 7 walks in space. And yes THAT is the record for time spent walking in space!   *Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Anderson was a physicist before joining NASA as an astronaut. He spent more than 593 hours in space as a mission specialist, payload commander and lieutenant colonel in charge of science experiments.   *Captain Winston E. Scott is an engineer, pilot and (today) Dean of the Florida Institute of Technology before joining NASA. Captain Scott logged in 24 days in space, including 19 hours spent on 3 WALKS in space.   *Alvin Drew was a physicist and aeronautical engineer before joining NASA. He spent more than 25 days in space as a mission specialist and CAPCOM officer. He also did 2 walks in space for 12 hours!   *Leland Melvin was a materials science engineer before joining NASA. He has since logged in more than 23 days in space as a mission specialist.   *Bernard Anthony Harris was a biologist, medical doctor and pilot before joining NASA. He logged in 18 days in space as mission specialist and payload officer. In 1995, he became the first African American to do extra-vehicular activities, meaning that he actually WALKED in space.   Wow, we could make an entire show of the African American astronauts who have graced the NASA program AND ventured into outer space.   I want to give a special salute to two astronauts who died during their explorations:   *Major Robert Lawrence, Jr. was a skilled pilot and scientist. He was the First African-American astronaut; the first to be selected for astronaut training in 1967 in the Manned Orbital Laboratory program, which predated NASA. Major Lawrence was killed in a jet accident.   *Ronald McNair—was an optical physicist when he was selected by NASA. McNair was killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster mission in 1986.   Before we move on to another interesting group of explorers, I do want to mention one more astronaut: Jeannette Epps. She has not yet gone into space but her time is coming. In 2016 NASA announced that Ms. Epps will launch on her first spaceflight in May 2018. She will be a flight engineer on Expedition 56, remaining on board for Expedition 57. Ms. Epps will become the first African-American crew member on the space station!   Let’s cheer her on in May of 2018. Great to watch a first flight AND a great step forward for African Americans and women everywhere!   But African American explorers didn’t only just aim higher and higher. They also set their sights on what lies beneath. In this case, they aimed—and conquered—the Mammoth caves in Kentucky.   We’re gonna stop here in this podcast show. We’ve covered a lot of great explorers; people who explored the North and South poles and the Congo. We just discussed people who have explored outer space and even walked in space! I think that we’ve gone high enough for now. In the next podcast show, we’re gonna explore another dark and untouched part of THIS planet. And we’re gonna continue our discussion about why we explore and why exploring is so important. I hope to see you at Part II of this great and groundbreaking discussion.   Also, please remember that you can “meet” many of these people on Facebook at out Wiki History Podcast page. Or at least you can see them. Pictures really do say a thousand words and seeing these people can help to bring them to life. You will also find our newsletter that helps you to learn history and teaches ways that you can MAKE history. Remember, we’re all history makers. We all have something to contribute. These stories show that ordinary people can do extraordinary things and live extraordinary lives.   So, I look forward to seeing you at Part II of the Black explorers podcast show at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it every day. Bye for now!                                                                           Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin Lofton, the Chief In-house Historian and host of this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history.   This is part II of the podcast show on Black explorers. In the previous show, we discussed the importance of exploration and how exploration has changed over the centuries. And we discussed people who had aimed high (Mount Everest high) and even higher (outer space). Those were such interesting and inspirational stories. I hope that you’ve listened to part I of this series. I promise that you’ll be ready to stand and salute these brave men and women. But for now, I think that we should continue with the discussion of Black explorers.   Remember at the end of the show, I introduced the next group of explorers. They didn’t aim to go higher and higher. They were focused on discovering a part of this planet that had been ignored and feared: the Mammoth Cave system in Kentucky. Let’s get straight to their fascinating stories and then we’ll end with a discussion of why exploring is important and why it’s important to learn the stories of these great explorers.   The Mammoth caves make up the longest known cave system in the world, with more than 400 miles explored. Did that stop or scare these explorers? Not for a minute. In fact, many African Americans (some former enslaved persons) extensively explored this grand, gloomy and peculiar place.   Let me just mention a few of these courageous and skilled cave navigators.   Although human activity has been recorded in the Mammoth caves for more than 6,000 years, Stephen Bishop was one of the lead explorers and guides in the complex and yes dangerous subterranean cave system. In fact, he is the person who coined the “grand, gloomy and peculiar” term to describe the Mammoth Caves.   Stephen Bishop came to the Mammoth caves in 1838. He was African American, 17 years old and enslaved. Yet because of his great exploration and guiding skills, he did enjoy some freedoms and privileges in the Mammoth caves—and avoided the grueling physical work and suffering endured by other enslaved people. In fact, he was first introduced to the Mammoth caves by a white explorer. This developed Bishop’s love of exploration—and he spent the next two decades exploring the Mammoth caves.   Although he was introduced to the caves by other explorers, Stephen Bishop went far beyond those explored and toured areas. Bishop discovered miles of new routes that no human eye had ever seen. And he opened the gateway for modern exploration of these vast and incredible caves. Bishop also worked to draw a map from memory of the different passages in the caves. It was published in 1844 and was the defining map of the caves for over 40 years!   Yes, he made history: Stephen Bishop was the first to cross the “Bottomless Pit” which was a series of deep vertical shafts. Other explorers had stopped at the Bottomless Pit, refusing to cross over that dangerous abyss. Quite understandable but Bishop was not scared or stopped. He continued past the Bottomless Pit and into areas that had been completely unexplored. And he later safely guided others over the Bottomless Pit and into new regions of the caves. Bishop also explored and guided others into areas of the Mammoth Caves called Fat Man’s Misery (I can only guess why it was given that name!), Cleveland Avenue and the Mammoth Domes. Those are some of the most famous areas of the caves, made famous and popular by Stephen Bishop. Other popular attraction discovered by Stephen Bishop He discovered strange blind fish, snakes, silent crickets, and the remains of cave bears.     He absolutely loved the Mammoth caves and had a real drive for exploration. Still it was hard work and he crawled through tight winding passageways, discovered an underground river, scaled huge rocks, and dared to walk on a rickety nature-made ladder across the "Bottomless Pit."   In 1856, Stephen Bishop received his freedom but unfortunately died the following year at the age of 37.   Stephen Bishop might have been born into slavery, but he was never a slave. He was an explorer! And today he is a legend!   Another Black explorer who came to the Mammoth caves in 1838 was Nick Bransford. However, Bransford didn’t become a full-time explorer for nearly 20 years after moving to the caves. He started full-time guiding in 1857, after the death of Stephen Bishop.   Nick Bransford was an enslaved person (born during the period of slavery). Like Bishop, he was leased out and sent to the Mammoth caves to work. And interestingly there were records showing that he was valued at $800, which was substantially more than for other enslaved persons. This was most likely because of his skills as an explorer and guide.   Bransford later purchased his freedom by selling eyeless fish that he captured in the underground rivers within the caves.   The Mammoth Caves attracted many formerly enslaved people. Ed Bishop for example. No relation to Stephen Bishop. He came to the Mammoth caves in 1886.   Among his greatest achievements was to guide the German cartographer, Max Kamper, into the Mammoth Caves. For 8 months, he and Kamper remained at the cave, visiting all the known sections. But Ed Bishop also discovered new sections that he presented to Max Kamper. One such newly discovered point (located on the Violet City Lantern route) was named Bishop’s Pit in 1908, in honor of Ed Bishop. Together Bishop and Kamper produced a map representing more than 35 miles of passages in the cave. Ed Bishop was widely recognized for his knowledge of the cave and as a teacher for the guides.   Ed Hawkins discovered a monumental series of vertical shafts. The passage leading up to these incredible shafts was later named Hawkins Pass. A great honor to this great explorer. And, yes, visitors can still see these shafts. Just take the Wild Caves Tour!         The last person that we’ll discuss who was important at the Mammoth Caves was Will Garvin. He was a private in the army, serving in a Colored Troop during the Civil War. Will Garvin was never an enslaved person. Following the Civil War, he began exploring and guiding in Mammoth caves where he made his mark for discovering an area later call the Corkscrew. This was actually a maze through collapsed rubble that linked the upper levels of the cave system to the lower levels near the water table. This area also provided an exit from the cave so visitors wouldn’t have to retrace their steps.   Some people say that Will Garvin also discovered the Colossal Caverns. This area was so treacherous that it even wasn’t opened to the public until 1972 (some 70 years after its discovery). It is one of the caves still protected within Mammoth Cave National Park.   But Will Garvin also made another important discovery—or had an important experience. This is really interesting.   He was the first person to experience the optical illusion called the Statue of Martha Washington. As he was exiting the cave, he saw a spectral silhouette of a woman who looked just like Martha Washington! I know strange things can be seen in the caves but this was one of the strangest! And it is still occasionally seen on certain tours in the historic section!   So, that concludes the discussion about Black explorers at the Mammoth Caves. And it concludes the presentation of Black explorers.   Now I just have one question:     Why do we care about these explorers?   Because they faced their challenges with honor, courage, and determination.   Whether it was Mount Everest, the Mammoth caves, the mighty Congo River, the North and South poles or outer space, they went there (using the words from Henry Sheppard in the Congo!) And they went boldly!   Everyone has an Everest. Everest can take many forms: going to school, applying for a job, fighting injustice, writing a book, public speaking or fighting an addiction. We all have our Everests. We are ALL explorers. The personal accounts in this podcast are stories of REAL people. And we can have a story too. We just have to find our challenge and face it. Victory is inevitable.   So we have much to learn from explorING and from exploRERS. Like many other people, I have done my share of exploring. And I think that the main thing that explorers discover is actually something within themselves. It is strength, courage, determination, creativity, persistence and other qualities that helped them to endure hardships, face their fears and rise to new heights. As Barbara Hillary said, when she reached the North Pole at the age of 75, there are no limits to what we can do and we can all challenge ourselves to do great things.   On that high note, I think that this is a great place to conclude this podcast. I hope that you have found it fun, educational and inspirational. I definitely have!   One interesting thing that I noticed about all of these great explorers is that they had so many different interests. Of course, they were completing committed to their explorations and their time, energy and focus were always in that direction. But they were multi-dimensional people in every respect. Matthew Henson—who went to the North Pole—was also a survivalist and linguist who loved the Inuit culture.   William Henry Sheppard –who explored the Congo—was also an avid art collector.   Mae Jemison—the first African American woman in space—loves African history and dance and speaks four languages: Swahili, Russian and Japanese in addition to English.   Others are voracious readers, cartologists, scuba divers, marathon runners, musicians, public speakers, sculptors and so many different interests. So, it’s important to remember that we can have many interests—some might be consistent with your dharma (life’s purpose) but others might conflict. Yet these interests make us complete people.   And, since I mentioned Mae Jemison, I read a story about her. After she had finished her medical studies and returned from the Peace Corps, she received a phone call. It was from NASA. She had submitted an application to NASA years before. On the phone call, they asked her: “Are you still interested in becoming an astronaut?” She answered simply “yeah”. That answer opened up a whole new world to her and within 2 years she went to outer space. Lesson here: Say “yes!”.   All of these explorers said yes to new experiences even when others were telling them to say no. But saying yes opened them to becoming great explorers.   Finally, Charles Bolden, the astronaut who was the first African American to become head of NASA, showed how there are no limits except what we can envision. He said,   "You know, the universe is a big place. I'm a practicing Christian, so in my faith, I learn about omnipotent, omnipresent God, which means he's everywhere. He's all-knowing. He does everything. And I just cannot bring my little pea brain to believe that a God like that would pick one planet of one of millions of suns and say that's the only place in the vast universe that I'm going to put any kind of life. And so the problem is I haven't been far enough away." [29]   I realize that I mentioned lots of names, places, events, experiences and other information that you might want more information about. The rememberinghistory.com team has you covered. You can get more information, see the people and places, read the “What You Can Do” list, see great pictures and even find good a book list at the Wiki History podcast page on Facebook. You can also find the newsletter called Making History Today! which discusses practical ways that you can actually MAKE history through education, the arts, political activism or whatever interests you.   Finally, I just want to remind you that 2017, the Wiki History podcast show is dedicated to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Located in Washington, DC, the National Museum of African American History & Culture opened in 2016. This kind of museum was long overdue but it finally happened and it is a place that everyone should visit and explore. Museums are a great way to bring history to life and to keep it alive for future generations. Wiki History is honored to be a part of this important process. For every person that listens to this podcast show, rememberinghistory.com will donate $1 to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.   Come back soon to Remembering History where we ARE remembering history and we’re making it. Every day! And, like Matthew Henson, get ready to sit on top of the world! Bye for now!    

In this week's episode of Burn It All Down, Julie DiCaro, Jessica Luther, Brenda Elsey, Shireen Ahmed, Lindsay Gibbs, and Stacey May Fowles discuss the Larry Nassar hearing, the state of women's professional sports, and the troubling silence of women in sports media. Plus, you'll hear The Burn Pile and the Badass Women of the Week! Discussion of the sexual abuse case of Larry Nasser and its place in USA gymnastics and university athletics (12:10) Progress in women’s professional sports, WNBA and NWSL, MLB’s promotion of girls’ series (21:10) Rumors of FC Barcelona establishing NWSL team? (24:23) Women’s self-censorship in sports’ media, especially in light of industry awards and ESPN layoffs (29:42) New pieces in sports’ media, where are the voices of people of color? Shireen Ahmed has compiled a list of women/GNB writers of color (34:31) Burn Pile – hosts set metaphorical fire to Frank Clark (36:43) Romanian Tennis Captain Ilie Nastase’s sexist and racist remarks (40:08) FIFA avoids a vote on the Israeli West Bank clubs (44:09) MLB’s campaigns to women based on their supposed love of jewelry and exclusively on identity as mothers (46:15) Sports Emmys ignore women (46:53) Badass Women of the Week – AEM Girls’ Soccer team wins Madrid Boys’ League championship (48:13) Honorable mentions – 1st African woman, Saray Khumalo summits Everest (48:56) Volleyball player, Lanesha Reagan opens up about mental health (49:20) Shout-out to all the mom-athletes on mothers’ day! (49:52). Links for show: Nassar: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/12/former_usa_gymnastics_msu_doct.html and https://thinkprogress.org/81-people-have-accused-former-usa-gymnastics-coach-of-sexual-assault-7de2c18d4186 WNBA Daily fantasy: http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/19357122/wnba-joins-daily-fantasy-sports-market-deal-fanduel Lifetime/NWSL deal: https://thinkprogress.org/nwsl-lifetime-agreement-future-72a112d0ddc7 FC Barcelona/NWSL: https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/05/12/barcelona-womens-team-nwsl-us-soccer Media Matters on the coverage of sexual violence and sport: https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/05/12/women-sports-media-discuss-what-s-missing-coverage-sexual-violence/216411 Shireen Ahmed's list of WOC in sports media: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14-B8pM3ydFVQauv-hyLprMP-PYyEyYNwGmNUecYsE_I/edit Frank Clark: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/05/11/seahawks-declare-extreme-disappointment-with-frank-clark/ and http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/19352755/frank-clark-seattle-seahawks-issues-second-apology-reporter-tweet  Nastase: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/tennis/article146429214.html FIFA and Israeli West Bank clubs: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/03/fifa-delay-israeli-settlement-decision-fuels-concern-170317080253187.html Cardinals' tweet about female fans and jewelry: https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/05/09/st-louis-cardinals-delete-sexist-tweet-after-backlash-from-fans/22077966/ MLB's Mother's Day/Breast Cancer combo: http://web.mlbcommunity.org/index.jsp?content=programs&program=mothers_day Sports Emmys Winners 2017 (pdf): http://cdn.emmyonline.org/sports_38th_winners_v02.pdf AEM Madrid’s soccer team: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/sports/soccer/girls-soccer-team-won-boys-league-spain.html?_r=0 Sarya Khumalo: https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/saray-khumalo-takes-on-everest Lanesha Reagan: http://espn.gns.go.com/espnw/sports/article/19337429/oregon-state-beavers-volleyball-player-lanesha-reagan-asks-athletes-help-combat-mental-illness

Hello and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin, the founder and host of this great and groundbreaking podcast show. I would also say that this is an historic show—yes, I know it’s about history—but it is historic because we are discussing, learning and being inspired by people who have been forgotten by history. In this series, we’re focusing on Black explorers.   Remember in the first show of this series, we discussed William Sheppard who was born a poor boy in the southern United States but became one of the greatest explorers in the Congo, learned the Kuba language, gained the respect of the Bakuba people and became one of the world’s first human rights activists. He alerted the world to the horrible treatment and atrocities (remember the severed hands?) suffered by the Congolese resulting from the Belgian rubber trade. William Sheppard also became one of the first collectors of African art. In the second podcast show, we discussed Black women explorers and met Barbara Hillary who skied to both the North and South poles—oh, did I forget to mention that she did these amazing feats when she was in her 70s?! And we cannot forget Saray Khumalo who has already summited Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest peak in Africa) and Mount Elbrus in Russia. She has her sights set on Mount Everest but was stopped twice by natural disasters, both of which she was lucky to survive. But she so wisely noted that “We all have our everests.” And that’s why this podcast series is so important. We all do have our own everests to face. What is your Everest?   The explorers in today’s podcast also had their everests—though it wasn’t going high in the sky, it was going deep into the earth. But, of course, I know that you that Everest is not high or low, near or far. It’s within us. Within each an every one of us.   Still, today’s show is slightly different in the explorer series. Okay, I admit that each show is unique. We will still focus on Black explorers but in this podcast show, we will focus on Black explorers and guides at one place: Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. Why am I making this change? Why am I focusing only on Mammoth caves?   There are good reasons for this. I promise.       The Mammoth Caves are a very special place on this planet. The Mammoth caves are the longest known cave system in the world. There are more than 400 miles of vast chambers and complex passages. And it is twice as long as the second longest cave system, which is found in Mexico. New discoveries and connections add several miles to the cave system every year. The Mammoth Caves in the Mammoth Cave National Park are a World Heritage Site and an international Biosphere Reserve. You will see that much of the discoveries there are due to the work of the courageous and determined Black explorers and guides in the caves , which were described by Stephen Bishop (whom we’ll meet very soon) as a “grand, gloomy and peculiar” place.   The Mammoth Caves are important for another, perhaps surprising reason. The stories of the African Americans (both enslaved and free) who came to live and work at the Mammoth Caves showed a lot about the society and times in which they lived. It showed the difficulties, the struggles and the discrimination. But it also showed the triumphs, the courage and the great skills of both the enslaved and free people at the Caves. You’ll get more details about this, and get the heartwarming stories and the frustrating stories at the Mammoth caves throughout this podcast. The caves really were a microcosm of the society and racial conditions at the time.   So, I would like to get started with this third and final show this month about Black explorers, this time in the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky.   Of course, though, we have a bit of housekeeping to do. I’ll make it quick so we can get straight to the show. At the end of the show, I’ll tell you about the exciting and inspirational podcast shows for next month.             I’ll just remind you that you can get additional information about the explorers in this podcast series at the Remembering History Podcast page on Facebook. You’ll find a fun and friendly group of historians who love to be inspired and who love to discuss history. So, join the conversation. And feel free to discuss whatever interests you. This is an open forum for discussion and everyone is welcome. Also, you can find great books, DVDs and other educational resources about these great explorers at rememberinghistory.com website, at the Books & Stuff store. I have personally vetted all these resources so you can trust them. Or you can complain directly to me. I believe in accountability. You can’t find it in many places on the Internet, but you can find it here. I’m gonna stop here because I’m anxious to get to the real deal of this final podcast show on Black explorers. Remember that there is important information at the end of the show about next month’s wiki history podcast series.   Without further ado…   Let’s begin with arguably the greatest explorer of the Mammoth Caves: Stephen Bishop! Because of his great work, skill, and dedication, Stephen Bishop is without question one of the greatest explorers of the grand, gloomy and peculiar Mammoth Caves. And you’re gonna see why!   Bishop came to the Mammoth caves in 1838. He was African American, 17 years old and enslaved. Slavery was still legal in Kentucky and many other states. Remember slavery wasn’t abolished until 1865, some 27 years later. Yet because of his great exploration and guiding skills, he did enjoy some freedoms and privileges in the Mammoth caves—and avoided the grueling physical work and suffering endured by other slaves. In fact, he was first introduced to the Mammoth caves by a white explorer. This developed Bishop’s love of exploration—and he spent the next two decades exploring the Mammoth caves.   Although he was introduced to the caves by other explorers, Stephen Bishop went far beyond those explored and toured areas. Bishop discovered miles of new routes that no human eye had ever seen. And he opened the gateway for modern exploration of these vast and incredible caves.   Yes, he made history: Stephen Bishop was the first to cross the “Bottomless Pit” which was a series of deep vertical shafts. Other explorers had stopped at the Bottomless Pit, refusing to cross over that dangerous abyss. Quite understandable but Bishop was not scared or stopped. He continued past the Bottomless Pit and into areas that had been completely unexplored. And he later safely guided others over the Bottomless Pit and into new regions of the caves. Bishop also explored and guided others into areas of the Mammoth Caves called Fat Man’s Misery (I can only guess why it was given that name!), Cleveland Avenue and the Mammoth Domes. Those are some of the most famous areas of the caves, made famous and popular by Stephen Bishop.   He absolutely loved the Mammoth caves and had a real drive for exploration. Still it was hard work and he crawled through tight winding passageways, discovered an underground river, scaled huge rocks, and dared to walk on a rickety nature-made ladder across the "Bottomless Pit."   In 1856, Stephen Bishop received his freedom but unfortunately died the following year at the young age of 37. He left behind his wife, Charlotte, and son, Thomas. His cause of death remains a mystery but he is buried in the Old Guides’ Cemetery at Mammoth Caves National Park. Personally, I love visiting cemeteries because there is so much history and so many personal stories found there. So, if you visit the Mammoth caves, I think that visiting the Old Guides’ Cemetery would be an interesting and moving “exploration” and a great way to honor this great explorer.   And, by the way, I do want to mention that Stephen Bishop had many other talents that enhanced his abilities as an explorer and guide. He was also widely known as a great speaker, an excellent orator, a gifted singer and a natural showman. He brought his love of the caves to each visitor and brought the caves to life for everyone who dared to enter them.   Stephen Bishop might have been born into slavery, but he was never a slave. He was an explorer! And today he is a legend!       Another Black explorer who came to the Mammoth caves in 1838 was Nick Bransford. However, Bransford didn’t become a full-time explorer for nearly 20 years after moving to the caves. He started full-time guiding in 1857, after the death of Stephen Bishop.   Nick Bransford was an enslaved person (born during the period of slavery). Like Bishop, he was leased out and sent to the Mammoth caves to work. And interestingly there were records showing that he was valued at $800, which was substantially more than for other enslaved persons. This was most likely because of his skills as an explorer and guide.   Nick Bransford was a different kind of guide and explorer than Stephen Bishop. And he was also highly respected and trusted to lead people into the deep and dark caverns and the areas explored by Bishop. One visitor to the Mammoth Caves described him by saying, “He seemed thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the place in which he had spent the greater portion of his time for 17 years. He was as grave and taciturn as some cave-keeping hermit. During our inward progress, he had carefully pointed out every place and object of interest. If I paused or made a misstep, he instantly looked around.”   Bransford later purchased his freedom by selling eyeless fish from the caves. Yes, there were fish in the underground rivers who didn’t have eyes. And visitors were keen to buy them. Bransford was also known as a caring and giving man. He donated the land for the Mammoth Cave School where many Black children (including his grandchildren) learned to read and write. And he was one of the first deacons of the Pleasant Union Baptist church, which was located in the park.   Nick Bransford continued to work as an explorer and guide at the Mammoth caves until his death in 1895. He had devoted more than 50 years of his life to guiding and exploring. Unfortunately, his exact gravesite remains unknown today.   Many of slaves or former slaves came to Mammoth caves for similar reasons and had similar experiences. Yet everyone also had a unique experience.         Take Ed Bishop for example. No relation to Stephen Bishop. He came to the Mammoth caves in 1886. The slave period was over so he was free, he had not been leased to the cave owners like Nick Bransford and Stephen Bishop. But he quickly became a well-known and respected explorer as well as an integral part of the guiding force.   Among his greatest achievements was to guide the German cartographer, Max Kamper, into the Mammoth Caves. For 8 months, he and Kamper remained at the cave, visiting all the known sections. But Ed Bishop also discovered new sections that he presented to Max Kamper. One such newly discovered point (located on the Violet City Lantern route) was named Bishop’s Pit in 1908, in honor of Ed Bishop. Together Bishop and Kamper produced a map representing more than 35 miles of passages in the cave. Ed Bishop was widely recognized for his knowledge of the cave and as a teacher for the guides. Someone wrote: “The real guide was Ed Bishop. He instructed Hunt how to reach the New Discovery from the Cathedral Dome route and Hunt instructed Bob Lively. But during 1916 and 1917, it was always necessary to wait for Bishop to make the trip.”   Ed Bishop and his wife, Josie, later moved to Indiana where he died. Today, Ed and Josie Bishop (as well as their baby girl Chancey) are buried beneath a large cedar tree near the cave. Yes, there is a headstone (which was donated recently by cave guides). It would be wonderful to locate this headstone and see where this great guide and explorer was finally laid to rest.   Another explorer and guide who came to the caves after slavery was Ed Hawkins. No, not Ed Bishop whom we just discussed but Ed Hawkins. And he has a unique and interesting story too.   Although he was an explorer and guide, he didn’t take on this role exclusively like many of the others. Ed Hawkins also worked as a laborer on the privately owned Mammoth cave estates. In addition to exploring and guiding, he also did structural repairs, chopping wood and plucking chickens. But guiding and exploring were definitely his first loves and his greatest skills. Unfortunately, those skills were not valued by the owners of the caves.       Yes, slavery had been abolished but African Americans were still in a difficult position and treated as lower class citizens. Jobs and other opportunities were quite limited for Black people, particularly in the southern U.S. states like Kentucky. In those states, Blacks could have jobs as porters or waiters. In contrast, whites could have higher paying and more prestigious jobs like clerks or managers. And this severely limited Ed Hawkins’s opportunities at the Mammoth caves.   There was a story that Ed Hawkins had arranged and organized an exploration for himself and as a guide for a group. However, the manager at the cave forced him to cancel and abandon the exploration because he needed Hawkins stay at work and peel potatoes that day! One can only imagine how Ed Hawkins felt, how devastated that must have been for him.   Despite the difficulties, Ed Hawkins discovered a monumental series of vertical shafts. The passage leading up to these incredible shafts was later named Hawkins Pass. A great honor to this great explorer. And, yes, visitors can still see these shafts. Just take the Wild Caves Tour!   Ed Hawkins died in 1936. He is buried at Western State Hospital cemetery in Kentucky. Unfortunately, he was buried in an unmarked grave. But anyone who wants to show honor and respect for Ed Hawkins can visit the Mammoth caves and take the Wild Caves tour to see Hawkins Pass.   I just want to mention one unique characteristic of Ed Hawkins, which is actually more personal. He was known always to secure his clothes with large blanket pins. They actually look like giant clothespins. And they make Ed Hawkins very distinguishable in pictures. You can find a picture of him on the Remembering History Podcast Page. Please go there and take a look to see this great explorer!               Another Black explorer and guide at the Mammoth caves was also a multi-skilled, multi-talented person. Before coming to the Mammoth caves, Will Garvin was a private in the army, serving in a Colored Troop during the Civil War. Will Garvin was never an enslaved person. Following the war, he began exploring and guiding in Mammoth caves where he made his mark for discovering an area later call the Corkscrew. This was actually a maze through collapsed rubble that linked the upper levels of the cave system to the lower levels near the water table. This area also provided an exit from the cave so visitors wouldn’t have to retrace their steps.   Some people say that Will Garvin also discovered the Colossal Caverns. This area was so treacherous that it even wasn’t opened to the public until 1972 (some 70 years after its discovery). It is one of the caves still protected within Mammoth Cave National Park.   But Will Garvin also made another important discovery—or had an important experience. This is really interesting.   He was the first person to experience the optical illusion called the Statue of Martha Washington. As he was exiting the cave, he saw a spectral silhouette of a woman who looked just like Martha Washington! I know strange things can be seen in the caves but this was one of the strangest! And it is still occasionally seen on certain tours in the historic section!   Will Garvin died in the early 1900s, survived by his wife Hannah. The place of his burial remains unknown.   Stay tuned for more information on this optical illusion.   Finally, we come to Matt Bransford, who was neither an explorer nor a guide into the Mammoth caves. But he was an exceptional businessman who filled a niche that supported the work of the black explorers and guides. His work and vision puts him right up there with those history makers; he was truly a legend and an important part of the guiding and exploration work. And his story gives us more insight into the life and experiences of Blacks in the southern United States.     You might remember from Ed Hawkins’ experience, segregation in jobs and housing existed after the abolition of slavery. (Of course, we know that it continued until the 1950s and 1960s.) However, among guides, segregation wasn’t practiced. But outside the caves, black visitors did face segregation. Blacks were not allowed to be on the same tours with whites or stay in the same hotels as white visitors. Matt Bransford (who was the grandson of one of the original guides and explorers, Materson Bransford, who was an enslaved person) had travelled around the country, encouraging Blacks to visit the world famous Mammoth caves. But when Black visitors did come to the caves, they were faced with the problem of segregation.   What did Matt Bransford do?   He started special tours for African Americans into the Mammoth caves. Matt and his wife, Zemmie provided lodging and meals at their home for Black visitors. They later started a hotel called the Bransford Resort. It was the first place and time in Mammoth cave history that the African American community could experience the same comforts and fascination of the cave that white visitors had experienced for more than a century!   The Black community started visiting and enjoying Mammoth caves in large numbers. And they heard and kept alive stories of the Black explorers and guides like Stephen Bishop, Nick Bransford, Ed Hawkins and many others. These explorers became legends around the world!   So, Matts Bransford was not an explorer but his vision and contribution were essential to the African American experience and discoveries at the Mammoth caves.   This really shows that everyone has something to contribute. Everyone can make a difference. Whether it is by exploring the caves, providing tours in the caves or providing housing and food for people at the caves—everyone can make a difference!           So, this wraps up our great and groundbreaking podcast series on Black explorers. I hope that you have enjoyed it as much as I have. And I also hope that you have also felt inspired by their courage, their determination and their never-give-up attitude. They faced their everests—sometimes with fear, sometimes without it—but they faced their inner Everest and emerged victorious. They emerged as legends.   Are you ready to face your Everest?   By the way, the optical illusion experienced by * (and still experienced by visitors to the cave) was actually caused by the reflection of light from an approaching tour casting its lights upon the bends of the cave avenue.   As promised, I’ll give you a sneak peek into the next podcast series. Remember that we actually have two podcast series going right now. In our long-term podcast series, we focus on the Black educators. In the next podcast show, we will focus exclusively on Black educators who are men. I decided that it was time to show that women are not the only great educators, but that men have been and still are serving as teachers, mentors, coaches and role models for children of all backgrounds. They should be recognized and they will be in the next podcast show on Black educators. Stay tuned. In the second podcast show, we will honor and recognize African Americans in the military. The Black men and women who have served their country and are continuing to serve their country are often overlooked, even forgotten. But we will recognize them and I know that their stories will inspire us all. Stay tuned for that show. Both are coming soon.   Lot’s of great stuff coming so I look forward to seeing you at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Bye for now.

Black Explorers Podcast Number 2   Hello History friends!   Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   I’m Robin and I’m the host of this great and groundbreaking podcast series about Black explorers. In the first podcast of this series, we discussed William Sheppard who was one of the first black missionaries in Africa. He explored the Congo River region, established relationships with the local people like the Bakuba, learned the Kuba language and learned their techniques in hunting, music, growing crops and ancestral worship. Sheppard also established one of the first humanitarian organizations in the world and brought international attention to the human rights abuses (like slavery and torture) being committed against the local people as part of the Belgian rubber industry. He did so much on both sides of the Atlantic and his legacy as an explorer, human rights activist and African art collector continues to grow and spread. If you have not heard the previous podcast about William Sheppard, I hope that you will do so. It is fascinating and so inspirational.   That’s what I love about the explorers in this podcast series; they are courageous and visionary, yes, but they are also real humanitarians and activists. They wanted to (and yes they did) leave a positive legacy in their travels that has inspired and continue to inspire people today.   The explorers—the history makers—in today’s podcast show are no exception. In this podcast show, we will take a special focus. Our great black explorers are women. Many times, when we think of explorers, we are thinking only of men. Yes, there were lots of men who are explorers. And traditionally men had the means and more opportunity to make explorations. But that didn’t stop many women—past and present—from following their dream to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life or new civilizations or boldly go where most people have not gone before. (Ok, yes, I borrowed that from Star Trek but this description definitely applies here!) These women explorers in today’s podcast show went far and wide in search of adventure…and they definitely found it. So, I hope that you will enjoy this show and their stories. And I really hope to show that we all can achieve our dreams if we are committed, determined and focused--just like the explorers in this great and groundbreaking podcast series.   Okay, before we get started, just a bit of housekeeping.   Please remember that you can find additional information about the people in this podcast series, you can listen to other interesting podcasts and read the bodacious blog on the rememberinghistory.com website and the Remembering History Facebook page. There is also a special Facebook page called the Remembering History Podcast page that focuses specifically on information in the Wiki history podcasts. But the website and both of the Facebook pages, you will find a great community of fun and friendly historians who welcome everyone into the fold. Start a new discussion. Ask a question. Make a criticism. Or just enjoy the banter. Just come and have a good time.   Also remember that there will be one final part to the black explorers podcast series in which we discuss the Black explorers of Mammoth mountain. Most of these explorers were former slaves and they were actually guides that went into the Mammoth caves, way down deep where most people would not venture to tread. But they did. And their stories are amazing. So, please stay tuned for part 3 of this podcast series.   So, that’s all the details for now. Without further ado, let’s get started discussing our two history makers, Black women explorers.   Our first great explorer challenged not only race and gender barriers but also an age barrier.   Her name is Barbara Hillary and she made history! She was the first African American woman to reach both the North Pole AND the South Pole! And she made these incredible accomplishments in her 70s.   But let me back up and tell her story properly; I am so excited to tell her accomplishments but I also want to tell her STORY because that is also amazing.   Barbara Hillary was born in New York in 1931. Her father died when she was a year old so her mother moved her and her sister to South Carolina where they would have a better chance to receive an education. Barbara Hillary later moved back to New York to attend New York University where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She then worked in nursing with a focus on training staff to care for aging patients and developing service delivery systems in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. She had a long a distinguished career in the nursing industry.   Upon her retirement, Barbara Hillary developed an interest in Arctic travel and exploration. She began with photographing polar bears in Canada but this only whet her appetite to go deeper into the Arctic regions. She set her sights on the North Pole. She worked hard and raised $25,000 for her excursion. And she actually reached the North Pole on April 23, 2007—at the age of 75! Do you think that she stopped there? I mean, it was a difficult trip –-that she accomplished on skis--and she had already made history as the first African American woman to reach the North Pole. And she was certainly one of the oldest people ever to have reached the North Pole.   But no she didn’t stop there. No, she set her sights downwards. To the South Pole! And on January 6, 2011, she reached the South Pole at the age of 79! At one point along the trip, she was the only expeditioner left along the trip-the others had dropped out because of time, money or hardship. But not Barbara!   She skied to the very top of the world and the very bottom of the world within 5 years and in her 70s! (Yes, I said that she skied there!) She has absolutely made history! More importantly, she has made her dreams come true and she has shown that age, gender, class (she wasn’t a rich woman!) and race do not have to act as barriers to achieving dreams.   But I have told only part of Barbara Hillary’s story. She had already faced other obstacles—but those still didn’t stop her. Before even making her explorations, she had faced and survived lung cancer—at the age of 67. But her treatment had caused her to lose 25 percent of her lung capacity. And this was not her first bout with cancer; she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in her 20s. But she survived it. Then 40 years later, she survived lung cancer.   Then she faced the North and South Poles!   What an incredible lady. She also committed her infinite energy to community activism, being an advocate for senior and minority health and founding a magazine called The Peninsula.   But Barbara Hillary is not done yet. She has her sights on new horizons but, like the amazing lady that she is, she is keeping her secrets to herself—and will reveal them when she is ready.   Stay tuned! I’m sure that she will continue to amaze us all.   You can get more information about Barbara Hillary on the Remembering History Podcast page where you can find pictures, updates and even a short audio made by the Barbara Hillary herself about her explorations. There is also an interesting bio with links about her at Blackpast.org. (I haven’t mentioned that website before but it is an incredible resource on Black history so I highly recommend checking it. It has many contibutors, including myself, that are committed to keeping Black history alive. Remember Blackpast.org.) And Barbara Hillary has a website called barbarahillary.com where you can see more pictures and even make a donation to her next expedition. Barbarahillary.com.   Let’s move on discuss our next great explorer, our next history maker!   This story is a bit different from the others—you’ll see why in just a moment—but the story is still inspirational and even provides a lesson for us all. One might even call this story a fable but I’ll let you decide what you think of Saray Khumalo and her incredible determination.   She was determined to climb seven of the world’s highest summits—and she’s almost there. 43-year old Zambian born mother of two Saray Khumalo has already scaled Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest peak) and Mount Elbrus in Russia. Then she set her sights on the mother of all mountains: Mount Everest.   Not surprisingly, this has been a monumental task but for different reasons that you might think.   In 2014, Khumalo made her first attempt at climbing Mount Everest. And, yes, this would have made her the first black African woman to do it. (Of course, we remember that Sophie Danenberg was the first African American woman to climb Everest in 2006. Great story that you can find on last year’s wiki history podcast series on Great Explorers.) And Saray Khumalo was ready for the climb. She had prepared: She spent two weeks climbing in the Alps, she trained in the gym 5 days a week, and she went hiking, rock climbing and camping every weekend. She was ready. She had even raised 1 million rand for Lunchbox fund, an organization that provides lunches to school children in South Africa where she had moved after her marriage. She was ready physically, mentally and emotionally.   But sometimes events happen that change our plans. Events over which we have no control.   In 2014, Mount Everest experienced one of the worst avalanches in recorded history. Climbers were killed or missing. Guides were killed or went missing. Saray Khumalo, who was climbing at the time, was lucky: she lived and was unhurt. But the climb was cancelled and she had to leave the mountain.   But she was not deterred. In fact, Khumalo was determined to return to Mount Everest in the following year (2015) and reach her goal of scaling the world’s highest peak.   Again, Khumalo went through intensive training and preparation. And she raised funds for an organization called Multiply, which would build libraries for children in South Africa. She was ready and determined.   Another event occurred. This time, Nepal experienced a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Thousands (estimates of 7, 500 people) were killed or went missing. Nepal itself was devastated.   Khumalo was climbing on the mountain when the devastating earthquake occurred. She was stranded for days on the mountain, often without any shelter. Helicopters were damaged or were searching for survivors on the mountain or below in Nepal so Khumalo had to use her training, wits and faith to survive until she could be rescued and returned to safety. And, fortunately, she did return to safety.   And, her climb was over. But she lived and was unharmed for which Saray Khumalo is grateful and happy. “I was able to return safely to my family,” she says. “Being the first black African woman to climb Everest would be fantastic,” she says, “but I don’t want to lose focus. I want to come back to my family. I want to come back alive.”   So thwarted by two devastating natural disasters—first the avalanche then the earthquake—Khumalo has not yet fulfilled her dream of scaling Mount Everest. But she definitely still has her sights set on the mountain. She has not given up her dream.   This passionate explorer notes that we all have our own little Everests.” “I believe ordinary people like me can reach extraordinary heights and if I can inspire a little child to say: ‘This homework is my own little Everest and I can also do it,’ then I would have done my job.”   Wow, that’s definitely the goal of this podcast series on great explorers: to inspire us to reach for greater heights, more distant shores, or whatever our dreams may be. Or as I always return to: to boldly go where no one has gone before. In short, as Saray Khumalo wisely said it, “to face our own everests.”   So, Saray Khumalo has not yet scaled Mount Everest (although remember that she has already scaled Kilimanjaro and Elbrus!) but she is still pursuing her dream. So, do you see how her story is slightly different than the others? But I also hope that you see how her story is so incredibly inspirational and so incredibly uplifting. Her story is not over so stay tuned for more amazing adventures and feats by this great woman explorer.   And remember her wise words: “We all have our everests.”   What is your Everest?   Saray Khumalo is so right about that. What is your Everest? How will you face it, scale it, conquer it?   I know it can be scary, even frightening, but remember the determination of today’s great explorers like Saray Khumalo and Barbara Hillary (who went to the North and South poles), and the courage of William Sheppard (whose explorations in the Congo that we learned about in the previous podcast show). They were ordinary people who followed the dreams and faced their everests. And you can too. We all can.   On this high note, I think that it’s a good time to close this podcast show about great explorers, who were also great black women. This is a group that does not get a lot of attention so I felt it was important to devote an entire podcast show to their accomplishments.   In the next show, we will focus on former slaves who explored the caves in Mammoth Mountain. They did extraordinary feats under very difficult circumstances and guess what? They emerged victorious. Their stories are often neglected but not in this great and groundbreaking podcast series. They will get their due—it’s their time. That podcast will be the finale of the black explorers podcast series. I hope that you will listen to all three shows in the series; you will definitely find them inspirational. Perhaps you will get a few ideas of your own. I hope so. And if you do, please share them on the rememberinghistory.com website or facebook page. I would love to hear them!   I hope that you will remember to visit the rememberinghistory.com website for additional information and discussion or the Remembering History Podcast page for more information and pictures of these great people.   I really do believe that a picture speaks a thousand words and it just makes it all feel so real when you can actually see these great explorers. Take a look. You will also find a great group of fun and friendly historians who love to meet new people and have great discussions.   I will end this podcast show by asking again: what is your Everest?   And I look forward to seeing you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   And we’re remembering those who are making it.   Bye for now!