The Return of Flag #229
On July 16, 2023, a group of 10 young adults from the U.S., Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia, representing a broad range of races, cultures, lifestyles, and fitness levels, met in Nairobi for the first time. From there, J. Robert “J.R.” Harris, Chair of the Explorers Club’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, led them on a 10-day training block across the Maasai Plains of southern Kenya, followed by a climb of Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The primary objective of this flag expedition, sponsored by Explorers Club member Tim Challen’s group, Kilimanjaro Initiative, was to train, mentor and encourage these young men and women to push themselves to achievements they never thought possible. By doing this, they would develop leadership skills, learn to work in teams, and realize their personal potential. Another objective was to raise awareness among those in underserved communities of the importance of curiosity and exploration, while promoting the benefits of diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Join us to hear these young explorers tell the story of their incredible voyage of discovery as we return Explorers Club flag #229.
Streaming live here on explorers.org, our YouTube Channel, and our Facebook Live — Wednesday, February 28th at 7:00 pm ET.
RESERVATIONS
This will be an in-person event at Explorers Club Headquarters.
In-person tickets are $15 for Members, and $30 for the General Public.
Check-in will begin at 6:00 pm, with a beer and wine reception from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
J.R. Harris
J. Robert “J.R.” Harris has been exploring and backpacking long distance for more than 60 years in some of the most remote and inhospitable wilderness areas in the world, unsupported and mostly alone, and he has written numerous articles about his experiences, as well as a book entitled, “Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker.” J.R. is a speaker at schools, universities, and outdoors organizations such as the AMC, Sierra Club, ADK, Audubon Society, the Explorers Club, L.L. Bean, and REI. His objective is to share his experiences to hopefully motivate others to pursue a healthy outdoors lifestyle. His trail name is School.
When not in the wilderness, Harris is Founder and President of JRH Marketing Services. Established in 1975, it is the oldest African American-owned marketing research and consulting firm in the United States. In 2016 he was elected to the Market Research Hall of Fame.
Harris is on the Board of Directors of the Explorers Club, and he Chairs the Club’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. As an advocate for more diversity in the outdoors, he believes DEI efforts will increase the number of people who will spend time in nature, and by getting out there, they will learn to appreciate, and therefore protect, our public lands and open spaces.
Tim Challen
Tim Challen is a British citizen residing in Geneva, Switzerland. He oversees Business Development at the United Nations Federal Credit Union.
In 2003, whilst working Kenya, he was shot and badly injured during an armed robbery. After multiple surgeries in Nairobi and a lengthy recovery period in Switzerland, Tim returned to Nairobi to testify in court. To his surprise, the courtroom was located in the center of Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa. Seeing the lack of opportunities offered to young women and men in such an environment, he decided to climb Mt Kilimanjaro as a way to highlight social issues that affect disenfranchised youth.
Since 2006, Tim has lead more than 700 youth and representatives from the private and public sectors to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. The climbs have raised funds for community projects in East Africa, including the renovation of a sports field; the formation of sports clubs; the setting-up of youth enterprise schemes – mostly located in Kibera.
Tim has participated in and presented at numerous sport and development conferences, emphasizing the central role youth must play in building better communities. Tim is a member of The Explorers Club, where he advises their UN Committee on how to build a stronger relationship with the United Nations.
For more information about Tim’s initiatives, visit www.thebigclimb.org and www.kiworld.org
