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Black biologist from Vancouver leads others to new heights in the great outdoors

Fish & Wildlife scientist organizes recreation events for people of color in Oregon, Washington

By Scott Hewitt, Columbian staff writer
Published: October 16, 2022, 6:02am
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Rikeem Sholes of Vancouver became a "Kettle Hero" last year, after the Navy veteran and biologist won a scholarship from the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Rikeem Sholes of Vancouver became a "Kettle Hero" last year, after the Navy veteran and biologist won a scholarship from the Pat Tillman Foundation. (Nic Raingsey) Photo Gallery

When he was growing up, Rikeem Sholes’ knowledge of the great outdoors was as flat as his TV screen.

“I didn’t get out at all,” Sholes said. “I didn’t start going outside until my early 20s — about the time I started working as a biologist.”

Monitoring hatchery fish along the Columbia River may seem an unlikely career for a Black kid from inner-city New Orleans, but public television documentaries about the wonders of underwater life motivated Sholes.

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