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If you’ve been on X, formerly Twitter, the phrase “Tweet it into existence” is a familiar sight to see on your timeline. Paulana Lamonier took that practice to heart and announced her initiative, Black People Will Swim.
On July 6, 2019, Lamonier shared this message and video:
She then quoted the tweeted video and solicited feedback from her followers: “My goal is to teach 30 Black people how to swim this summer, and I’m trying to come up with a hashtag for this campaign. Feedback is welcome.”
With close to 500 replies, by the next day, she landed on the hashtag #DrownTheStereotype.
Changing the stereotype that Black people can’t swim is helping to save lives.
Fast-forward to today, and Lamonier’s passion has helped children, teens, and adults #SwimInColor at York College in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. Lamoier is a two-time Emmy nominee and has received coverage from major outlets such as The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Complex, and Elle magazine. While the name has changed, the mission has not. On her site, she shares, “Our mission is plain and simple; we are smashing the stereotype that Black people don’t swim.”
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that more than 4,500 people drowned annually in 2020, 2021, and 2022. That’s almost a 10% increase from 2019. Tessa Clemens is a CDC Division of Injury Prevention health scientist and the report’s lead author.
“We know that many public pools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited the availability of swimming lessons,” Clemens told NPR. “Once pools reopened, many facilities faced shortages of trained swimming instructors and lifeguards, which further reduced availability of swimming lessons and safe swimming areas.”
Add to that America’s long history of racism and segregation; Black people have disproportionately experienced drowning at a higher rate. According to the same CDC data, in 2021, drowning among Black people increased by 28% compared with 2019.
“Swimming has claimed so many lives of Black people,” Lamonier told NBC News. “We deserve to have a space to learn without feeling discriminated against, without feeling as if we have to break the bank to learn this life skill. And, most importantly, it’s really a community.”
The Black People Will Swim initiative shows you’re never too old or young to learn this life skill.
Lamonier learned how to swim from coaches in 2009 at CUNY York College. She was inspired to help others conquer their fear of water, so she started building community with her students through swim clubs, teams, and gyms.
Lamonier achieves her mission through the acronym “F.A.C.E.,” which encourages students to face their fears through fun, awareness, community, and education. While lessons are open to everyone, Black People Will Swim is committed to empowering the Black community.
Join the #SwimFam by following the Black People Will Swim initiative on social media and signing up for their newsletter. You can also Make the Promise and pledge your commitment to learning how to swim. If you’re in New York and want to take a class, find your correct swim level through their swim assessment.
