Saturday Evening at the Emerson
On May 12, 2022 the Full Circle Everest team: Adina Scott, Abby Dione, Rosemary Saal, Manoah Ainuu, Frederick Campbell, Eddie Taylor, James Kagambi, Desmond Mullins, Thomas Moore and Expedition Leader Philip Henderson made history by becoming the first all-Black team to summit the tallest mountain in the world. A year ago today 7 members of the team and eight Sherpa guides reached the summit. The full Sherpa team included: Panyru Sherpa, Chewang Lhemdu, Ming Chiri, Nima Rita, Pasang Dawa, Pasang Nima, Pemba Sherpa, Nawang Tengzing, Dachhree Sherpa, Lakpa Nuru, Chopel, Fura Chheten, Finja Dorje, and Nima Nuru.
After approximately 6,000 successful summits since the first ascent in 1953, just ten Black climbers have stood atop the peak prior to the Full Circle expedition. This feat shook the climbing world as we know it, but also had a larger impact: showing people what is possible when folks of color are not only invited, but spaces are intentionally made for them, by them.
“There is a lack of representation of Black people in mountaineering and in high-altitude mountaineering. There's so few of us at this level that it's our duty, in a sense, to bring this to our communities, to our young people and talk about the benefits of being outdoors and connecting with nature and having a healthy lifestyle throughout their lives." -Phil Henderson