10/22/2025
🌟 Spotlight: The Black Swimming Initiative 🌟
The was created with one mission: to eliminate racism in aquatics and ensure that everyone — no matter their background — feels confident, welcomed, and safe in the water.
For co-founder Morgan, water was always nearby growing up in the Pacific Northwest, but fear kept his family from entering it. That changed in 2013 when he began his own swimming journey — starting with a front crawl and finishing on his back, determined to keep going. As he spent time in the water with his youngest daughter, her growing confidence inspired his own. His persistence paid off: in 2020, Morgan completed a 3.8K open-water swim, followed by a 140.6 triathlon in 2021, and now he’s training for the Portland Bridge Swim.
Co-founder Emily, a Portland native, didn’t learn to swim comfortably until age 38. With the support of friends, she grew to love swimming laps in the pool and exploring lakes and rivers. Already passionate about running and cycling, triathlon felt like a natural next step — and it’s what brought Emily and Morgan together.
When the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement sparked deeper conversations about systemic racism, Emily knew she wanted to be part of the solution. Together with Morgan and a dedicated group of swimmers, triathletes, and water lovers, they launched the Black Swimming Initiative — working to break barriers, build belonging, and make aquatic spaces more inclusive for Black athletes of all ages and abilities.
Their vision:
🌊 A world where racism is eliminated from aquatics.
🏊♂️ Where water is a place of confidence and joy for everyone.
🤝 And where every swimmer feels welcomed and supported.
