Creating Diverse and Inclusive Pathways to Space with Ché Bolden

Kathy Sullivan Explores

Ché Bolden is a US Marine Corps veteran and President and CEO of The Bolden Group. Founded in 2017, The Bolden Group is a consortium of accomplished leaders dedicated to fostering international collaboration to make life better for all of humanity. Ché served for over 26 years in the US Marine Corps, where he also served as an International Affairs Program Coordinator and Weapons and Tactics Instructor. After concluding his service with the Marine Corps, Ché founded two technology companies, Inter Aria and Sapient.ONE. He is currently the President of Ario and leads the organization’s strategy and vision. Ché holds a Bachelor of Science degree in History from the United States Naval Academy, a Global Master of Arts from Tufts University’s Fletcher School, and a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College.

Ché joins me today to share the history behind his name and describe his life before moving to Houston, Texas with his family. He explains how witnessing his father’s mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope opened his eyes to the true meaning of service. He discusses his transition to the private sector after retiring from the US Marine Corps and highlights The Bolden Group’s mission to push the boundaries of the space industry. He also outlines what it would take to create diversity, equity, and inclusion in the space industry and offers advice to young people starting their careers.

“Create opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented communities to get an equal place at the table. We won’t realize the fullest potential of space unless we get more people in the discussion.” - Ché Bolden

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

• The young Ché Bolden and what it was like to be a part of the Bolden family
• “Flashbulb” memories and the beginnings of Ché’s life as an explorer
• How the mission of his father, Charles Bolden Jr., to service the Hubble Space Telescope taught Ché the meaning of service
• Ché’s role models and what inspired him to attend the US Naval Academy and become an aviator
• His challenges and struggles at the US Naval Academy
• Why the presence of other people is essential to one’s success
• Ché’s foray into the private sector and his work with The Bolden Group
• The Bolden Group’s mission to empower servant-leaders and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the space industry
• Pushing the boundaries of traditional space
• The difference between a meritocracy and a “mirror-tocracy”

Resources Mentioned:

• Why diversity should not be the exception | Ché Bolden | TEDxPearlStreet

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “If things are going bad for you, go and find someone else having a worse day you’re having and be there for them.” - Ché Bolden
• “Other people are important to your success. Contrary to what some prolific mega-billionaires want to tell people, nobody does anything by themselves.” - Ché Bolden

Related Content:

• Charlie Bolden on Pathways to Space
• The Life of a Visionary with Charlie Bolden Part 1
• The Birth of the New Space Age with Charlie Bolden Part 2
• Two Funny Astronauts with Mike Massimino and Garrett Reisman

Connect with Ché Bolden:

• The Bolden Group
• ONE
• Ario
• The Bolden Group on LinkedIn
• The Bolden Group on Instagram
• The Bolden Group on YouTube
• The Bolden Group on Twitter
• Ario on LinkedIn
• Ario on Twitter
• ONE on LinkedIn
• Ché Bolden on LinkedIn

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!

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