Black families deserve to feel safe, confident, and joyful in the water, and Outdoor Afro is making it happen.
The national not-for-profit is helping Black communities build positive, life-affirming relationships with water through its Making Waves initiative. Launched in 2019, the program was created to address the heartbreaking number of Black children who drown each year — a crisis rooted in generations of exclusion from public pools, beaches, and water safety education, the organization reports.
To help turn the tide, Outdoor Afro is offering free swim scholarships for Black children and their caregivers across the country. The program covers the cost of beginner swim lessons in partnership with swim providers nationwide. And while Black families are prioritized, the scholarships are open to all.
“Making Waves also aims to help Black families and Black communities develop a positive relationship with water. To reclaim our legacy and strengthen relationships with water…Our 2025 goal is to ensure another 2,000 Black children and caregivers learn this life-saving skill while unlocking joy of water,” the organization shared.
Founded in Oakland, California by Rue Mapp in 2009, Outdoor Afro has long worked to reconnect Black people to the outdoors through education, recreation, and conservation. From kayaking and hiking to gardening and skiing, they’ve built a national community grounded in nature and wellness. Making Waves is just one of many ways they’re ensuring Black families have access to experiences and spaces that have historically been denied.
To apply for a swim scholarship or learn more about the program, visit outdoorafro.org or download the Outdoor Afro app.
Cover photo: Black-Led Nonprofit Launches Swim Scholarships / Photo Credit: Outdoor Afro / Instagram