In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing key Black figures in skiing and riding who have paved the way for a more inclusive future.
For the final highlight of the month, we are releasing the first-ever “mini-episode” of Epic By Nature, featuring a conversation between Pat Campbell, president of our Mountain Division, and Henri Rivers, president of the National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS). Typically, our Epic By Nature podcast shares and celebrates the hero’s journey of our employees, however in recognition of Black History Month, we are using the platform to invite Henri to discuss the history and mission of the NBS, the current barriers to inclusivity in snow sports and the partnership required between our two organizations.
Since 1973, the National Brotherhood of Skiers has been monumental in providing a community for Black snow-sport enthusiasts and Black ski clubs scattered across the country. The organization has trail-blazed a generation of Black athletes, making it their mission to increase participation through scholarship, annual ski summits and representation at international and Olympic competitions. A number of Black athletes, including former U.S. Alpine Ski Team member Andre Horton, have found support in the organization. One to watch - recent scholarship recipient sixteen-year-old freestyle snowboarder “Flyinbrian” Rice II, who has his eyes set on being the first African American snowboarder in the Olympics.
Learn more about the NBS by watching REI Presents: Brotherhood of Skiing and then tune in to the conversation between Pat and Henri and let us know your thoughts on this different podcast format at podcast@vailresorts.com.