There are some very good reasons to get rid of cable, as I've done, but there are some downsides too. For example, I didn't know Kellee Edwards existed until I was researching female travel hosts for this project! And her show, Mysterious Islands has been on since 2017! If it's a show that's not on Hulu, Netflix, or Prime then I don't know about it and I can't watch it. And man, I feel like I'm missing out now. I've watched some of her videos and she is a fun, spunky, and down to Earth woman who I'd love to watch a full series or more of her exploring!
Kellee wanted to break into the travel industry, but and as a woman, let alone a woman of color in a white, male dominated industry, she knew that she would have to bring something different to the table. Something to set her apart and make Travel Channel have to have her on board. She noticed that diving was missing from their line up and so she went out and acquired her SCUBA certification. After diving, she felt a call toward aviation and so set out to get hr pilot's license. Next up, she had to complete this trifecta of elements and get land under control, so she set out on an expedition to summit Mt. Hood. Needless to say, Travel Channel took notice, and after 7 years without a female travel host (after Samantha Brown left the network) they took her on to host Mysterious Islands, a show where she uses her skills to explore islands that you've most likely never heard of.
According to her website, "she is an advocate for women in aviation, adventure travel, diversity in travel,and safety." In her interview with PopSugar she says, "once you see a young black woman doing the things that I'm doing, you can't help but be curious about it and want to know more." Especially since the industry doesn't see this kind of representation; inspiring other women, and women of color especially, to go out and travel, that it's possible to do these things. It also opens doors when the industry sees this representation as a viable option that viewers are ready and eager to watch. She sums it up well, in the same interview, when she says "the travel industry...paint a picture that only affluent white people travel, and that's not true. Everyone is finding a way to explore this world because it belongs to all of us."
Now she speaks at conventions and conference, inspiring the next generation of explorers, named one of Conde Nast's "30 Most Powerful Women in Travel," and advocates pushing yourself to get the things you want out of life. Kellee also makes videos like this one here with tips on how to stay safe while trekking solo, with some applying to traveling in general as well, especially the first tip! So go, check out her show, see her in person at one of her talks, or use her words of wisdom as motivation to push yourself to achieve your own goals! I know I will be.
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandratalty/2019/01/31/the-tv-host-being-paid-to-travel-to-mysterious-islands/#271284614ab6 -photo credit
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