The Community Foundation’s 2020 Making a Difference Speaker Series launches in January with blind adventurer and motivational speaker, Erik Weihenmayer.

Erik Weihenmayer is an inspirational athlete and best-selling author of No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon. Weihenmayer will speak at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College at 7 p.m., Friday, January 24.

In 2001 Weihenmayer became the first blind person to summit Mount Everest. In 2008 he joined an elite group of 150 mountaineers by completing the Seven Summits, the highest points on every continent. In 2014 he solo kayaked the thunderous whitewater of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

“Erik didn’t let his loss of sight stop him from conquering challenges, and his message of resiliency is truly inspiring,” says Briggen Wrinkle, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “We expect everyone who attends this event to come away empowered and hopeful, recognizing the true potential we have in our community.”

Weihenmayer has also co-founded a nonprofit called No Barriers. The mission is to help people to turn into the storm of life, face barriers head on, embrace a pioneering and innovative spirit, and team up with great people to contribute our absolute best to the world. The motto of No Barriers is “What’s Within You Is Stronger Than What’s In Your Way.”

Tickets for this family friendly Making a Difference event with Erik Weihenmayer may be purchased at the Community Concert Hall’s Downtown Ticket Office within the Durango Welcome Center at 8th and Main, online at durangoconcerts.com or by calling 970-247-7657. Prices range from $20 to $45, plus applicable fees.