Diving into diversity: Empowering Black and Brown youth through aquatic exploration and conservation

In a world where access to aquatic activities remains somewhat of a privilege for many, a few Indianapolis organizations are working tirelessly to break down barriers and provide opportunities for Black and Brown youth to explore the many wonders of the underwater world. According to recent studies, minority communities often face significant disparities in access to swimming lessons and aquatic activities, potentially leading to higher rates of drowning incidents. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that minority youth drown at a rate 7.5 times higher than their white counterparts. The YMCA also reports that 64% of Black children cannot swim, while only 40% of white children cannot swim. Despite these alarming statistics, three organizations, Sea Scope, Inc., Friends of the White River, and Youth Empowered, Inc., are making waves in their communities by exposing minority children to aquatic activities and empowering them to become champions of the marine environment. (Photo provided/Sea Scope Inc.) Sea Scope is on a mission to create a new generation of ocean explorers and activists. Led by founder and CEO Dr. Allyson Brown, Sea Scope aims to increase diversity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and aquatics by providing comprehensive programs that not...