“Travel is more than visiting monuments and collecting passport stamps. It’s the unveiling of seeing the human race at its core and soul, which can be a beautiful thing.”
#royalwomeninspire Kellee Edwards is the host of Travel Channel’s Mysterious Islands and The Trip 2018
Who says your hobbies can’t lead you to your dream job? Edwards is an avid traveler , scuba diver and pilot. She is the first black woman to host a show on the network and it was her love of flying that got her there.
Before being discovered by the Travel Channel, the travel journalist was documenting her ventures on YouTube and piloting small planes.
” I went from being the weird girl that, you know, “Only white people do that” or “You’re acting like a white girl,” to “You’re so cool,” or “I’ve never seen anyone who looks like me doing the things that you do,” she tells the Outside Online. ” So I went from being the underdog and the weirdo to the representation that others needed to see to know that they can do it too. I really love the support that I’m getting from my community now.”
Edwards has trekked 35 countries so far and is anxious to add to her list. One of her favorite highlights of the show so far has been snorkeling off the Hawaiian island of Molokai and mountain climbing in South America and Tanzania.
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Taping for the new season is already underway!
She adds that with being an adventurous person, it only made sense to get a pilot’s license.
“Except that I’m afraid of heights, ” she tells the Travel Channel. “Yes, absurd I know. It’s very much mind over matter with me and when I’m flying that feeling is non-existent. ”
Needless to say, Edwards is defiantly a woman who is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone and says even now she gets the awkward looks from men, mostly white, when she pulls up at the airfield.
“When I show up to an airport to rent an aircraft where they are not familiar with me, I get it all,” she says. “Starting with complete surprise, shock, staring and actually being asked if I am lost. ”
According to Edwards, out of the 6% of women who are pilots, only 2% are black.
For kids aspiring to be pilots, Edwards suggests getting involved in aviation programs such as the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) , EAA Young Eagles Program and the Civil Air Patrol Program. And don’t shy away from making a trip alone.
“There are more good people than bad, so make new friends along the way,” she suggests. “I’ve had some of my best travels alone with locals opening their homes, sharing their home, customs and traditions simply because I smiled and was friendly.”
Edward’s next adventure is obtaining a motorcycle license and working on her non-profit, D.O.P.E. Adventures.
To keep up with Edwards click here
Source: Michael Baisden Live – a shared partnership
