First All-Black Climbing Team Summits Everest

Summiting Everest has long been one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, but this year’s Full Circle Everest Expedition aimed to change that. For the first time in history, an expedition team made up and led exclusively by Black climbers reached the summit of the world’s highest peak. On May 12, Manoah Ainuu, Evan Green, KG Kagami, Thomas Moore, Dom Mullins, Rosemary Saal, and Eddie Taylor reached the top with the support of Sherpa climbing guides and a support crew made up of Pasang Nima Sherpa, Lakpa Chhiri Sherpa, Phurtemba Sherpa, Dawa Chhiri Sherpa, Sonam Gaylje Sherpa, Nima Nuru Sherpa, Chopal Sherpa, Chawang Lhendup Sherpa, Tashi Gyalje Sherpa, Amrit Ale, and filmers Pemba Sherpa and Nawang Tenji Sherpa.

Expedition leader Phil Henderson says, “I am deeply honored to report that seven members of the Full Circle Everest team reached the summit on May 12. While a few members, including myself, did not summit, all members of the climb and Sherpa teams have safely returned to Base Camp where we will celebrate this historic moment!”