Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Black History Month: What You Need to Know
What is Black History Month?
Celebrated during February, Black History Month is dedicated to Black and African American communities across the United States. It helps shed light on the impact Black and African American communities have had on the birth and development of our country.
Black History Month, when originally conceived and implemented, started as a weeklong celebration of these communities. The week overlapped birthdays of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass, two advocates and pioneers for civil rights of Black and African American communities.
In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially declared the month of February as Black History Month. Today, Black History Month is an integral part of Black and African American culture and recognizes the contributions Black and African Americans have given. Learn more about Black History Month here.
How Can You Honor/Show Support During Black History Month?
Below are some ways USA Swimming members can honor and show support throughout the month of February.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Whether it be in person or online, supporting Black or African American owned businesses is one of the best and easiest ways to show support. By contributing to these businesses, you are helping their potential for growth and opportunity.
One way USA Swimming supports Black and African American owned businesses is through the Community Impact Grant program. These grants aim to further diversify the sport of swimming through funding and mentorship. The program has three areas of support:
Of the 22 USA Swimming member clubs who currently receive funds through the Community Impact Grant program, 10 are Black owned:
Continuing Education
Almost every state has a museum or historical site dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Black or African American history. Learn more by taking your athletes to visit a museum together. By visiting as a team, you are providing the opportunity to learn more about notable Black and African American historical figures, events and cultures. A museum or historical site visit can be a great starting point for future conversations about inclusivity in our sport.
If a team outing isn’t an option, opt in for watching a previously recorded educational webinar. Most recently, USA Swimming’s DEI staff hosted a three-part series focused on educating members. View the DEI 101, 201 and 301 webinar series and other previously recorded webinars for free on the website here. Take advantage of additional free resources, created by the DEI staff, here.
Encourage Black or African American Sport Leaders
Supporting Black and African American leaders can help elevate the person and our support in many ways. This includes looking out for up-and-coming Black and African Americans swimmers. By supporting these athletes, you are helping to uplift and elevate equal representation.
In addition to our elite-level athletes, there are numerous grassroots leaders we can learn from. Throughout February, look for USA Swimming moments, which will highlight the dedication, passion and ambition of swimming communities.
Be Inclusive
Does your extra box of club equipment include items which directly support your Black and African American athletes? Having appropriate swim caps or gear that supports different kinds of hair or modesty, hair care products and skin care products for melanated skin available is a genuine way to show your support for these communities.
Another way to increase inclusivity is to have conversations with your athletes. A great activity is providing blank swim caps for your athletes to write statements about themselves and letting your athletes wear their caps during practice. Teammates can learn more about one another during practice.
USA Swimming will continue to work towards a more inclusive environment for all our members. If you have questions or recommendations on ways clubs can be inclusive, please reach out to our DEI staff here.
Do you know of a USA Swimming member club, athlete, coach or LSC who is doing a great job in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space? Submit a news tip to let USA Swimming know.
Celebrated during February, Black History Month is dedicated to Black and African American communities across the United States. It helps shed light on the impact Black and African American communities have had on the birth and development of our country.
Black History Month, when originally conceived and implemented, started as a weeklong celebration of these communities. The week overlapped birthdays of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass, two advocates and pioneers for civil rights of Black and African American communities.
In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially declared the month of February as Black History Month. Today, Black History Month is an integral part of Black and African American culture and recognizes the contributions Black and African Americans have given. Learn more about Black History Month here.
How Can You Honor/Show Support During Black History Month?
Below are some ways USA Swimming members can honor and show support throughout the month of February.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Whether it be in person or online, supporting Black or African American owned businesses is one of the best and easiest ways to show support. By contributing to these businesses, you are helping their potential for growth and opportunity.
One way USA Swimming supports Black and African American owned businesses is through the Community Impact Grant program. These grants aim to further diversify the sport of swimming through funding and mentorship. The program has three areas of support:
- Supporting programs led by diverse individuals and/or women;
- Partnering USA Swimming clubs with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to create competitive programs for youth in campus pools; and
- Creating partnerships between USA Swimming teams and facilities or recreational organization that doesn’t currently have a team.
Of the 22 USA Swimming member clubs who currently receive funds through the Community Impact Grant program, 10 are Black owned:
- Coastal Virginia Aquatic Club
- DeKalb Aquatics
- Detroit All Star Aquatics
- Greenview Dolphins Swim Team
- HEAL Swim Club
- Health Lifestyles Healthy Kids
- Metro Atlanta Aquatic Club
- Oaklantis Swim Team
- PDR Swimming for Success
- TS Aquatics
Continuing Education
Almost every state has a museum or historical site dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Black or African American history. Learn more by taking your athletes to visit a museum together. By visiting as a team, you are providing the opportunity to learn more about notable Black and African American historical figures, events and cultures. A museum or historical site visit can be a great starting point for future conversations about inclusivity in our sport.
If a team outing isn’t an option, opt in for watching a previously recorded educational webinar. Most recently, USA Swimming’s DEI staff hosted a three-part series focused on educating members. View the DEI 101, 201 and 301 webinar series and other previously recorded webinars for free on the website here. Take advantage of additional free resources, created by the DEI staff, here.
Encourage Black or African American Sport Leaders
Supporting Black and African American leaders can help elevate the person and our support in many ways. This includes looking out for up-and-coming Black and African Americans swimmers. By supporting these athletes, you are helping to uplift and elevate equal representation.
In addition to our elite-level athletes, there are numerous grassroots leaders we can learn from. Throughout February, look for USA Swimming moments, which will highlight the dedication, passion and ambition of swimming communities.
Be Inclusive
Does your extra box of club equipment include items which directly support your Black and African American athletes? Having appropriate swim caps or gear that supports different kinds of hair or modesty, hair care products and skin care products for melanated skin available is a genuine way to show your support for these communities.
Another way to increase inclusivity is to have conversations with your athletes. A great activity is providing blank swim caps for your athletes to write statements about themselves and letting your athletes wear their caps during practice. Teammates can learn more about one another during practice.
USA Swimming will continue to work towards a more inclusive environment for all our members. If you have questions or recommendations on ways clubs can be inclusive, please reach out to our DEI staff here.
Do you know of a USA Swimming member club, athlete, coach or LSC who is doing a great job in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space? Submit a news tip to let USA Swimming know.