(Memphis) Rox on Ice 2021
Donation protected
Memphis Rox: Ice Climbing 2021
Last year, a small group of climbers and staff members from the non-profit climbing gym Memphis Rox, located in Tennessee, was sponsored in Bozeman, Montana to join Conrad Anker and The North Face Team for 3 days of ice climbing in the pristine Hyalite Canyon. The climbing was rounded out by expedition-style meals, conversations under the stars, and frigid mornings. Through these experiences, lasting relationships were formed, and you may or may not be seeing some lovely media surrounding that expedition this fall.
Upon returning to Memphis, we were inspired to continue the relationships created on that trip and set the goal to take a group out the following year. Well, ice season is right around the corner and we have started planning for an ice climbing trip! This time around, we would like to take on a little bit more of the responsibility, both in planning and financially. The relationships that were cultivated on the initial trip have grown over this tumultuous year, and we have some friends and athletes that are psyched to meet up with us in Ouray, Colorado in January of 2021 to keep this young tradition going. WE JUST HAVE TO GET THERE!
A little bit about Memphis Rox:
Mission: "Memphis Rox and One Family Memphis brings rehabilitation, healing and a renewed sense of hope to challenged communities by providing a climbing facility and programs to foster relationships across cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. We exclude no one — regardless of ability to pay."
Memphis Rox was founded on the idea that diversity, inclusion and black empowerment would stand at the forefront of our guiding principles. We are located in Soulsville, South Memphis, one of America’s most challenged communities. More than 90 percent of our community’s youth live at or below the poverty level and don’t have access to basic needs. Memphis Rox functions on a pay-what-you-can-afford model. By turning no one away regardless of an inability to pay, we’ve deconstructed the idea that money is the only form of currency one has to offer. We believe it’s energy: relationship, mentorship, volunteerism.
At Memphis Rox, rock climbing is a metaphor for overcoming life’s obstacles. More than 50 percent of our employees are hired directly from the community we serve. As most gyms are built in affluent zip codes, the climbing industry notoriously lacks representation from black, indigenous and communities of color. Memphis Rox actively diversifies the sport every single day, empowering black youth and athletes to become the faces of tomorrow’s outdoor industry.
A Note from the Organizer:
But first, a quick disclaimer. While all participants on this trip are either on staff at Memphis Rox, local climbers, or both; and the statements above are directly reflective of Memphis Rox and the work we do, a donation to this GoFundMe campaign is not a donation to Memphis Rox/One Family Memphis. It is a donation to a climbing trip. We will however donate any funds exceeding our goal to further support Memphis Rox in closing the diversity gap in climbing and the outdoor industry as a whole.
Ok, now that part is taken care of I can make a fair attempt at conveying my excitement for this project. I was on that trip to Montana last winter and can honestly say that the crew from Memphis Rox returned invigorated. Shortly after getting home to Memphis though, a global pandemic temporarily closed our doors, and socio-political unrest started changing the social landscape. Wildfires are even changing the literal landscapes in which we climb. In light of these monumental challenges, it may seem strange or even a bit off-putting to be asking for support for an ice climbing trip - something seemingly so trivial. While we realize that no one has evaded challenge in 2020, and many have been severely impacted, we also feel that many people are more motivated than ever to act on the causes they support. That has certainly been the case here at Rox.
The staff and community at Memphis Rox have taken each obstacle in stride, pivoting to meet new and unforeseen challenges at every opportunity; all while developing programs and leaders to represent the change we want to see. As many of you may know from experience, that first big climbing trip can be a transcendent moment. It certainly was for me, but taking that first step is often the most difficult. Please join us in helping to share those moments together and create a few more. Peace!
Donations will fund:
- 15-passenger van rental (6 days)
- Fuel
- Shared accommodations in Ouray (8 people, 4 nights)
- Meals for 8 Memphis Rox climbers
Last year, a small group of climbers and staff members from the non-profit climbing gym Memphis Rox, located in Tennessee, was sponsored in Bozeman, Montana to join Conrad Anker and The North Face Team for 3 days of ice climbing in the pristine Hyalite Canyon. The climbing was rounded out by expedition-style meals, conversations under the stars, and frigid mornings. Through these experiences, lasting relationships were formed, and you may or may not be seeing some lovely media surrounding that expedition this fall.
Upon returning to Memphis, we were inspired to continue the relationships created on that trip and set the goal to take a group out the following year. Well, ice season is right around the corner and we have started planning for an ice climbing trip! This time around, we would like to take on a little bit more of the responsibility, both in planning and financially. The relationships that were cultivated on the initial trip have grown over this tumultuous year, and we have some friends and athletes that are psyched to meet up with us in Ouray, Colorado in January of 2021 to keep this young tradition going. WE JUST HAVE TO GET THERE!
A little bit about Memphis Rox:
Mission: "Memphis Rox and One Family Memphis brings rehabilitation, healing and a renewed sense of hope to challenged communities by providing a climbing facility and programs to foster relationships across cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. We exclude no one — regardless of ability to pay."
Memphis Rox was founded on the idea that diversity, inclusion and black empowerment would stand at the forefront of our guiding principles. We are located in Soulsville, South Memphis, one of America’s most challenged communities. More than 90 percent of our community’s youth live at or below the poverty level and don’t have access to basic needs. Memphis Rox functions on a pay-what-you-can-afford model. By turning no one away regardless of an inability to pay, we’ve deconstructed the idea that money is the only form of currency one has to offer. We believe it’s energy: relationship, mentorship, volunteerism.
At Memphis Rox, rock climbing is a metaphor for overcoming life’s obstacles. More than 50 percent of our employees are hired directly from the community we serve. As most gyms are built in affluent zip codes, the climbing industry notoriously lacks representation from black, indigenous and communities of color. Memphis Rox actively diversifies the sport every single day, empowering black youth and athletes to become the faces of tomorrow’s outdoor industry.
A Note from the Organizer:
But first, a quick disclaimer. While all participants on this trip are either on staff at Memphis Rox, local climbers, or both; and the statements above are directly reflective of Memphis Rox and the work we do, a donation to this GoFundMe campaign is not a donation to Memphis Rox/One Family Memphis. It is a donation to a climbing trip. We will however donate any funds exceeding our goal to further support Memphis Rox in closing the diversity gap in climbing and the outdoor industry as a whole.
Ok, now that part is taken care of I can make a fair attempt at conveying my excitement for this project. I was on that trip to Montana last winter and can honestly say that the crew from Memphis Rox returned invigorated. Shortly after getting home to Memphis though, a global pandemic temporarily closed our doors, and socio-political unrest started changing the social landscape. Wildfires are even changing the literal landscapes in which we climb. In light of these monumental challenges, it may seem strange or even a bit off-putting to be asking for support for an ice climbing trip - something seemingly so trivial. While we realize that no one has evaded challenge in 2020, and many have been severely impacted, we also feel that many people are more motivated than ever to act on the causes they support. That has certainly been the case here at Rox.
The staff and community at Memphis Rox have taken each obstacle in stride, pivoting to meet new and unforeseen challenges at every opportunity; all while developing programs and leaders to represent the change we want to see. As many of you may know from experience, that first big climbing trip can be a transcendent moment. It certainly was for me, but taking that first step is often the most difficult. Please join us in helping to share those moments together and create a few more. Peace!
Donations will fund:
- 15-passenger van rental (6 days)
- Fuel
- Shared accommodations in Ouray (8 people, 4 nights)
- Meals for 8 Memphis Rox climbers
Organizer
Brent Goode
Organizer
Memphis, TN