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Honoring a Legacy. Creating New Pathways.
In 1876, when Matthew Henson, the son of Maryland sharecroppers, was 10 years old, he had an experience that changed his life.
He attended a ceremony honoring the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln given by the esteemed orator and statesman Frederick Douglass. Douglass urged members of the Black community to pursue education and professional opportunities to fight racial prejudice and injustice. Henson took these words to heart and put them into action.
Two years later he was receiving an education as a cabin boy on a merchant ship, and thirty three years later he was the first person to stand at the North Pole. But because he was African American he did not receive the immense credit he deserved during his lifetime.
To this day Matthew Henson inspires countless adventurers, changemakers, and dreamers around the world. His life and legacy teach us that the world thrives when outdoor opportunities, and all the life lessons that go along with them, are available to everyone.
Over a hundred years later PolarExplorers created the Matthew Henson Scholarship to honor the legacy of Matthew Henson by inspiring people of color - in particular emerging outdoor guides or people with current or future positions of leadership in the outdoor industry - to embrace cold weather adventures, and to build the necessary skills to thrive (and not just survive) during cold weather expedition travel.
We are proud to collaborate with a community of people that make this scholarship an outstanding opportunity. Together we are building long lasting resources through the Matthew Henson Scholar network and inspiring countless people through their leadership, adventures, stories and important work.
YOU can be a part of the Matthew Henson Scholarship community:
If you are a person of color with a leadership role in the outdoor industry, and if you would like to learn the skills, systems and leadership considerations to introduce people to cold-weather adventures apply here! Applications are being accepted through December 1, 2026.
If you know of someone that would be interested in the Matthew Henson Scholarship, share this newsletter!
If you believe in creating pathways to lasting change—and in building a stronger, more dynamic, and representative community of outdoor leaders and educators—your support can help make that vision a reality. A financial gift, of any amount, is an investment in people, leadership, and a more equitable outdoor community. By investing in the Matthew Henson Scholarship, you are helping build a future where the outdoors is a place where more people can participate, lead, and thrive.
We are so proud of the Matthew Henson Scholarship alums and the many positive ways they influence and shape the outdoor community. We invite you join us in this awesome and important adventure :)
What else is happening at PolarExplorers? A lot! Explore the website, check Instagram and your emails for information about our upcoming expeditions, adventures and upcoming Guide Chats. We can't wait to share them with you :)
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