|
Raphael
Parker: President, Rider Raphael graduated from New
York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study
with a degree in Rhetoric in 2003. In case you were wondering,
"What on Earth does a person do with a degree in Rhetoric?"
well, here's your answer: you quit your day job, put on the
spandex, and head for the hills. But seriously, more than
a study of argument, Rhetoric is a study of how people relate
to each other. It was through the course of learning the tools
of relation: patience, introspection, empathy, courgage, that
Raphael discovered a deep commitment to securing equal rights
and opportunities for everyone.
After the ride through the US and Asia, Raphael
will attend law school where he hopes to learn the legal tools
to become an effective agent for change.
Contact Raphael |
|
Jacob Richardson:
Vice-President, Rider Along with 2 of his fellow riders
Jacob is a native to Cincinnati, Ohio. His main formative years
came during his time at Walnut Hills High School where he first
met Raphael, Ian, and many other vastly influential and enlightening
individuals to which he has an undying gratitude. Graduating
with honors in 1999 and leaving high school without serious
injury he spent the next four years groping around in the his
first extended experience of independence at the University
of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The accomplishment of earning a bachelor's
degree in biology in 2003 does not properly reflect the extensive
learning that actually took place, mostly outside of the classroom.
The diverse campus afforded him the chance to sit front row
at a cultural menagerie. Since then he's left the pursuit of
biology to focus on journalism, but his curiosity in interpersonal
and transcultural interaction has flourished. This trip will
not only be a chance to teach on gender roles and equality but,
more importantly, be taught something outside of confining American
standard. It will be his first time out of the US. Contact
Jacob |
 |
Morgan Solem: Interim
President, Director of Programming Once the trip
begins in March, Morgan will be in charge of running Tour
for Equality, speaking with newspapers, coordinating routes
and liasing with schools and organizations along the way.
She is doing her best to keep the website updated with the
help of our wonderful web design team and her favorite new
book, "Dreamweaver for Dummies". She is a graduate
of UC-Berkeley, where she got a degree in Rhetoric in 2002.
Morgan has spent the years since graduating traveling the
world, camping, and hiking. She currently lives in Brooklyn,
NY and works at a wine bar. Contact
Morgan |
 |
Dr. Jeffrey Parker:
Rider Planning to join Raphael -- at least for a
few days at the beginning of this momentous journey –
Papa Jeff looks forward to cycling with his son, as in days
of yore (See photo), and lending moral support to the group.
He not only taught a very young Raphael how to ride a bicycle,
but also provided a powerful role model through his commitment
to women's rights. He has always been a staunch supporter
of actions and policies to alleviate suffering. Jeff is both
an attorney and a physician and has pursued both professions
simultaneously. He is also an inventor who founded a business
devoted to making life-saving medical devices for the human
airway. |
|
Josh Korwin:
Graphic Designer Always seeking to change the world
through design, Josh Korwin became involved with Tour for Equality
through his friendship with former schoolmate
Raphael Parker, a fellow graduate of the Gallatin School. His
lifelong interest
in the visual arts has brought many an interesting experience
to his doorstep. As a sophomore in high school, he founded his
creative media design outfit, "three steps ahead," and has worked with a multitude of clients, ranging from friends
to large-scale business owners to celebrities. Among other goals,
Josh always wants to use his powers for good, and not evil. "Well-crafted graphic designs can draw attention or infuse
legitimacy into their subject," he says, "and I think
there is a lot of positive potential in that." Contact
Josh |
|
Griffin Waldau: Web Designer A 4th year student at the School of Visual Arts studying cartooning,
illustration, and multimedia. Before coming involved with Tour
For Equality, Griffin led an aimless and destitute life bringing
home stray pigeons and frequenting inexpensive indian delis
in search of the perfect 1.50 plate of chana pindhi. After,
meeting the tour team, he has turned his life around and has
been inspired to work for the good of the human experience as
he once did for a brief but enlightened period back in high
school. "I don't know where I'd be if I wasn't introduced
to Raphael" says Griffin. "Probably laying in bed
backwards reading Ulysses out loud to my pigeons again. To quote
the bard, Someone saved my life tonight." Contact
Griffin |
 |
Emily Marker: Fundraising Director
Emily graduated from New York University with a BA
in History and French. Finally coming to terms with the rather
limited job market for freelance historical researchers for
English-speaking scholars working with French-language sources,
Emily quit the academic research
game and turned to non-profit fundraising and research. Emily's
new career path has proved a fortunate coincidence for her old
college chum Raphael, to whom Emily has been delighted to be
able lend a
helping hand with her newly acquired fundraising savvy. |
|
|
