“When I first started researching, I didn't really see many people like me out on the mountains.”

Deon Barrett has started True North Project because he wants to inspire. Barrett started TNP in January 2022 when his research showed that 6,098 people have summited Mt. Everest and 10 of those were Black People. The reason this particular project made sense to him was because of its grandeur. Barrett wants to inspire on the biggest stage and I think it’s incredibly noble that he wants to be that beacon because to get to this point is pretty incredible. He’s had some dark days in his past. The darkness included an attempted suicide. Barrett found the outdoors quite therapeutic in his recovery but he didn’t find there were many visible Black People in the industry to draw inspiration from.

“There's not a lot of, I would say, people of inspiration doing that for the younger generation, especially within the outdoors community. So that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to open the doors, talk from a personal standpoint and experience and show them that they can find their own passion within the outdoors. Because I have.”

Deon gives some insight into his training as well as the cost of an Everest expedition in our chat. His plan is to get up the mountain by the 2025 season. His passion for the project is evident and it’s clear he’s already an inspiring individual. Enjoy the conversation, I know I did!

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Music by REDproductions from Pixabay.

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