Presenting The Crenchaw Portrait Project

Presenting The Crenchaw Portrait Project

One Day One of the first annual Big Gear Show in Park City Utah, I had the great privilege of presenting to the outdoor recreation industry a commemorative portrait of Charles Madison Crenchaw, the first Black climber to reach the summit of North America’s tallest mountain, Denali. This original painting by the artist Lamont Joesph White celebrates the enduring legacy of an American mountaineer. On July 9, 1964 Charles Madison Crenchaw ascended to the highest physical point on the continent of North America. Just seven days after the Civil Rights Act was signed into law he personified the metaphorical vision of Martin Luther King Jr. who defined a dream in which Black citizens would aspire to the heights of our national heritage. For Crenchaw, that included climbing great mountains.

“It had been so easy today for most of the climbers that it was hard for them to realize they were actually standing on the summit of Mt. McKinley, the highest point of North America. Climbers found themselves searching through the clouds for something yet higher.”

With our partners from the Next 100 Coalition Colorado, the Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E. Initiative and the Outdoor Equity Grant Program Coalition we are hosting a happy hour to elevate the story of Crenchaw and the continuing efforts to create an outdoor recreation community that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.

 It is my hope that we can use this beautiful painting bring greater awareness to the Black heroes of the mountaineering and adventure community that are too often forgotten by history.

“When I first heard of Charlie Crenchaw I felt disappointed that I, a little ashamedly that I had not heard of him and what he had done,” White had said. “So to be asked to broaden the reach of his story through my art work is just an incredible  honor.”

If you’re going to the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market I’d like to invite friends of the Joy Trip Project to attend a happy hour event on August 10, 2021 at 4PM to 6PM Mountain Time at atThe Commons on Champa a meeting space across the street from the Denver Convention Center (1245 Champa Street) . We’ll share the story of Charles Crenchaw and the wonderful artist who captured his likeness. This remarkable work of art will be displayed as part of an exhibit at the American Mountaineering Museum in Golden, Colorado called “Something Yet Higher”.
Come to network with outdoor industry professionals and enjoy the fellowship of those who believe that the outdoors is for everyone.

Please drop me a note if you have questions or require any additional information: Info@joytripproject.com. This event is open to the general public but space is limited. R.S.V.P at our Facebook Events Page to let us know you will be coming. https://fb.me/e/2zrcgbBah

This portrait of Charles Madison Crenchaw was made possible thanks to the support of our sponsors

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Our Outdoor Retailer Happy Hour is celebrated in partnership with our many friends in Colorado

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