Mekael Shane

Who is Mekael Shane?

Mekael Shane, simply referred to as "Mekael," was born on October 17th 1970, in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended Park Tudor School. After graduating from high school, Mekael went on to attend Central State University in Ohio, where he pursued a degree in Political Science. Upon his departure from CSU, Mekael returned home to Indianapolis where he then went to work for a non-profit organization that was dedicated to providing services for at-risk youth and their families.

Mekael served his country as a proud member of the U. S. Army, where he received accommodations for leadership and excellence. A resident of Switzerland, Mekael spends much of his time climbing mountains in various parts of the world, and conducting educational events wherein the focus is on helping to raise awareness towards the fight against cancer. This father of three sons, whom Mekael refers to as his "Three Lights," splits his time residing between the United States and Zürich, Switzerland.

The Mountaineer:

Mekael began climbing as a way to honor his late mother's life and legacy. It was during her fight with cancer, that Mekael began pondering about how to add his voice to the global cancer fighting community. In 2007, a year after his mother passed due to complications from cancer, Mekael made his mind up, and decided that climbing mountains would be the chosen platform for him to help draw attention to the fight against cancer.​

​In 2008, Mekael figured that in order for him to learn from some of the best climbers in the world, Switzerland was where he needed to be. After having relocated to the famed Alp nation, Mekael quickly found himself attached to a climb team, and in the Spring of 2009, he took part in his very first extreme altitude expedition, which happened to be on Everest, the world's tallest mountain.

​Mekael spent the next ten years learning as a member of a team who have embarked on exploratory expeditions that have circumnavigated the world. From Tibet to Tanzania, from the Andes to the Antarctic, Mekael's climbing experiences have taken him to some of the most beautiful, most remote, most challenging places on the earth. Climbing is no longer just a pursuit rooted in the fight against cancer, climbing has become what Mekael refers to as his "passion."

The Poet:

Mekael's introduction to poetry came by way of his mother. When he was twelve, his mother shared a book of Langston Hughes poems with him. She specifically shared Langston's classic poem, "Mother to Son," with him. From that moment on, he became addicted to his favorite art form.

With the onset of his teenage years, Mekael went on to attend the prestigious, Park Tudor School, where his wider exposure to the many forms of art, was made exponential. Mekael has often said both Park Tudor and Central State heightened his love for all things creative, especially the written arts.

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It was after college that Mekael began writing poetry. The author of six books of poetry, and his soon to be released seventh book of poetry titled 'Jacob's Ascent - New Collected Poems by Mekael," Mekael often refers to poetry as his "purpose."