CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 45 Cape Fear Crematory, Inc. More cost effective than traditional burial We offer private family viewings Affordable direct cremation Services available 24 hours Family owned and operated for 35 years 6765 Sandy Creek Road | Stedman, NC 28391 | 910.323.8898 | www.capefearcrematory.com "Where compassion and care run the business" a much bigger role in his early climbing. Emily taught him to use his lower body first [and] then learning efficacy became a priority. Once he began to master those skills, he began really training with me to learn how to use his upper body, more like how guys generally climb. Mixing the two types of climbing has helped to turn him into the climber he is today." Kai's rock climbing success certainly hasn't gone unnoticed. He has received recognition from well- known individuals, companies, prestigious colleges, and universities. Recently, while lobbying in Washington with senators and congress members for the preservation of outdoor locations for rock climbing, Kai snapped a selfie with Sen. Tim Kaine, who was Hillary Clinton's vice presidential running mate in the 2016 presidential election. Kai's sponsorships from Adidas and Clif Bar, along with his Evolv shoe endorsement, help cover his travel costs. "Kai is lucky in the level of support he gets," said Constance. "He has been able to get really good sponsorships." Kai and his climbing abilities have been featured in four rock climbing films, one of which is on YouTube and two of which are on Vimeo. e films have been shown at film festivals worldwide. One film festival was held in Telluride, Colorado, and the documentary shows scenes of Kai climbing outdoors in Norway. His efforts and endeavors have also been featured on ESPN, Men's Health Journal, MSNBC and the Today Show, and he was on the NBCBLK28, which highlights 28 African Americans under age 28 who are breaking barriers, including the Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton and Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry. Kai's climbing achievements—and his great academic record—have helped him acquire nearly $1 million in college scholarships. He has been accepted into Babson College, the top school in the country for entrepreneurship, a subject in which his mom is well-versed. Constance is Photo courtesy Nathan Welton

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