• Chronicles the first all-African-American summit attempt on Denali, the highest point in North America
• Part adventure story, part history, and part argument for the importance of inspiring future generations to value nature
The nation’s wild places——from national and state parks to national forests, preserves, and wilderness areas——belong to all Americans. But not all of us use these resources equally. Minority populations are much less likely to seek recreation, adventure, and solace in our wilderness spaces. It’s a difference that African American author James Mills addresses in his new book, The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors.
Bridging the so-called “adventure gap” requires role models who can inspire the uninitiated to experience and enjoy wild places. Once new visitors are there, a love affair often follows. This is important because as our country grows increasingly multicultural, our natural legacy will need the devotion of people of all races and ethnicities to steward its care.
In 2013, the first all-African American team of climbers, sponsored by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), challenged themselves on North America’s highest point, the dangerous and forbidding Denali, in Alaska. Mills uses Expedition Denali and its team members’ adventures as a jumping-off point to explore how minority populations view their place in wild environments and to share the stories of those who have already achieved significant accomplishments in outdoor adventures——from Mathew Henson, a Black explorer who stood with Peary at the North Pole, to Kai Lightner, a teenage sport climber currently winning national competitions. The goal of the expedition, and now the book, is to inspire minority communities to look outdoors for experiences that will enrich their lives, and to encourage them toward greater environmental stewardship.
James Edward Mills is a journalist and media producer. He specializes in stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving, and practices of sustainable living. He has worked in the outdoor industry since 1989 as a guide, outfitter, independent sales representative, and writer. Learn more about him at joytripproject.com.
224 pages, 5.5” x 8.5”, 12 color photos, paper bound, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-59485-868-0
[…] the release of my book, “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors”, I’ve enjoyed a bit of notoriety on the subject of diversity, equity and inclusion in the […]
[…] adventurer of the early 20th century was overlooked. Having devoted a chapter to Henson in my book the Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors, it’s pretty much my mission in life to raise the profile of those individuals whose remarkable […]
[…] Let’s learn more about The Joy Trip Project and the brilliant James Edward Mills through his o… – https://joytripproject.com/the-adventure-gap/ – I am going to be posting a book review soon! […]
[…] some of the most influential athletes and advocates among us. Thanks to authors and influencers like James Mills and the the folks from Melanin Base Camp, the history of people of color in climbing and many other […]
[…] highlight was meeting with James Edwards Mills, author, and creator of the Joy Trip Project, on how we can build equity, diversity, and inclusion in all […]
[…] The Adventure Gap: The Face of the Outdoors – by James Mills, chronicles the first all African-American expedition to Denali and the importance of inspiring future generations […]
[…] was now time for the Closing Key Note by James Edward Mills, Over the Adventure Gap. James shared his research on marginalized groups in the adventure space reminding us of Martin […]
[…] about topics from outdoor recreation to sustainable living practices. James is the author of The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors and the co-writer/co-producer of the documentary film An […]
[…] Previous keynote speakers include Tommy Caldwell, Peter Metcalf, and James Mills writer of The Adventure Gap. Join attendees from around the world to share, learn, and get hands-on with newest products and […]
[…] conservation, acts of charitable giving, and practices of sustainable living. He is the author of The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors and the co-writer/co-producer of the documentary film “An American Ascent.” Follow […]
[…] place to place, culture to culture. Clear for years in the ski community is the now well-documented Adventure Gap. Ours is a community with work to do. And many, like Kai Lightner of the climbing world, are […]
[…] film pulls in the perspective of James Mills, the author of The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors, on the significance of Emily’s journey. “We can go back to the 1930’s and take a look at the […]
[…] conservation, acts of charitable giving and practices of sustainable living.” He also wrote “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” a book that tells the story of the “first all-African-American summit attempt on Denali, the […]
[…] conservation, acts of charitable giving and practices of sustainable living.” He also wrote “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” a book that tells the story of the “first all-African-American summit attempt on Denali, the […]
[…] include the first all-Black American summit attempt of Denali (also covered in Mills’ first book, The Adventure Gap, published by Mountaineers Books in 2014), the construction of Fort Monroe in Virginia by enslaved […]
[…] a los niños de Detroit a experimentar el aire libre también es importante por otra razón: el “brecha de aventura.” Las personas de colour están subrepresentadas en las actividades recreativas al aire libre, y […]
[…] Detroit kids experience the outdoors is important for another reason as well: the “adventure gap.” People of color are underrepresented in outdoor recreation activities, and many people of color […]
[…] US Outdoor photography magazine UKOutdoor photography magazine AppOutdoor exploration for allThe adventure gapThe call of the mountainsThe Sierra de Grazalema natural parkFive ways to Create the perfect […]
[…] a recipient of the Paul K. Petzoldt Award For Environmental Education. He is also the author of “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors” and the co-writer/co-producer of the documentary film “An American […]
[…] In 2016, he was appointed a Yosemite Nationwide Park Centennial Ambassador. In 2020, he printed “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” which particulars the harrowing first Black American try and summit Denali by a crew of 9. At […]
[…] In 2016, he was appointed a Yosemite National Park Centennial Ambassador. In 2020, he published “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” which details the harrowing first Black American attempt to summit Denali by a team of nine. […]
[…] In 2016, he was appointed a Yosemite National Park Centennial Ambassador. In 2020, he published “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” which details the harrowing first Black American attempt to summit Denali by a team of nine. […]
[…] In 2016, he was appointed a Yosemite National Park Centennial Ambassador. In 2020, he published “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” which details the harrowing first Black American attempt to summit Denali by a team of nine. […]
[…] In 2016, he was appointed a Yosemite National Park Centennial Ambassador. In 2020, he published “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” which details the harrowing first Black American attempt to summit Denali by a team of nine. […]
[…] In 2016, he was appointed a Yosemite National Park Centennial Ambassador. In 2014, he published “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” which details the harrowing first Black American attempt to summit Denali by a team of nine. […]
[…] In 2016, he was appointed a Yosemite National Park Centennial Ambassador. In 2020, he published “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors,” which details the harrowing first Black American attempt to summit Denali by a team of nine. […]
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