This grit and determination gave his parents the spark to send him to Woodward in Copper Mountain, Colorado. This was his destined next step to leveling up in snowboarding, action sports, and life stoke ensued. Zeb was immersed in one of the epicenters of snowboarding’s international culture, stimulating his passion even more.

By the time he finished up at Woodward, Zeb and his parents decided to enroll him at a snowboarding school in Vermont called “Stratton Mountain School” in 2013. The school had an outstanding reputation for both outdoor sports, as well as education. The experience was a gift, and Zeb remains grateful for such a special and unique educational experience.

Then a few years later, at 15 years old, he won 1st place in the 2016 Red Bull All-Snow at Corinth Parks, a feat that had surprised his parents. Perhaps less so for Zeb, however; as an inner voice told him that it was only the beginning.

His talents were later recognized by one of the largest non-profit organizations in the northeast called “Hoods to Woods.” The organization’s purpose is to eliminate the issues that prevent inner-city children from experiencing the privilege of snowboarding. According to Zeb, “they learn from snowboarding that when they fall, they can get back up again, and stick with something until they become successful.” Powell is still partnered with the Hoods to Woods organization today and continues to seek these kinds of philanthropic efforts in future years.

As he considers his future, the first-ever African-American XGames snowboard gold medalist doesn’t worry much. He is confident in who he is and where he’s going. He’s also committed to two simple goals – to evolve the snowboarding community and never stop having fun.