Water should be a source of joy — not fear.

I know that personally. After experiencing a lifeguard rescue myself, I had a deep fear of the water. Learning to swim didn’t just teach me strokes and breathing techniques — it gave me confidence, safety, and opportunity for joy.

That’s why I’m supporting Outdoor Afro’s Making Waves program.

Making Waves was created in 2019 to address a heartbreaking and persistent reality: Black children ages 10–14 drown in swimming pools at rates far higher than their white peers, and nearly two-thirds of Black adults have never had formal swim lessons. These disparities didn’t happen by accident — they are connected to generations of segregation and exclusion from public pools, beaches and swim education.

This work is about changing that story.

Your support helps Black children and families gain life-saving swim skills while experiencing the joy, healing and connection that water recreation can bring.

Here’s the impact your support can create:

$200 → 1 person receives swim lessons

$400 → 1 child + caregiver learn together

$10,000 → 25 families gain life-saving swim skills

National Learn to Swim Day is Saturday May 16, and that makes now the perfect time to donate to Making Waves! hope you’ll join me in helping more families build confidence and safety in and around water.

Every lesson can save a life. Thank you!