Alma Swim Foundation

Today is a proud moment for all of us at Alma Swim Foundation. It’s Javan’s first official day as a lifeguard at the Eatonville Pool and we couldn’t be more proud.

Javan is a shining example of what’s possible when community meets opportunity. As an Alma Swim Foundation lifeguard scholar, he put in the work, passed the test, and now he’s serving the very neighborhood that shaped him.

To top it off today, he had is first rescue and got trained by .319 on the butterfly stroke which he picked up in just 20 minutes. Twenty minutes! We feel a swim team coming on…

He’s already doing great things on Day 1, and we know this is just the beginning. Let’s give it up for Javan, proof that representation, access, and investment in our youth truly matter.

Huge thanks to his incredible Mother for your unwavering support, to .319 for seeing the vision and helping keep the wheels turning, and most importantly to for your partnership and for giving us the space to create impact where it’s needed most.

It’s water safety month!

Our goal is to raise $25,000 this May and we’re determined to make it happen! 💪🏾

We even broke down the numbers so you know exactly how far your dollar goes.

One of our biggest challenges has been finding instructors who can work with us to make swim lessons affordable. But guess what? We’ve built a tribe of swim instructors who are dedicated, determined, and getting people swimming & floating often within their very first lesson!

Now, in order to keep our programs going strong, we need donors who believe in our mission to get more melanin in the water. Will you help us make a splash this May?

We’ve got our foot on the gas and we’re ready to go, we just need your help spreading the word. Please share this post so we can continue pouring into our community and getting more melanin in the water safely. 🗣️💙

Donate here

https://www.almaswim.org/donate

It’s time to celebrate THE BIG ONE!

Join us for the 1st Birthday Bash of the Eatonville Community Pool on Saturday, May 10th from 10 AM–2 PM at 142 S West Street!

Enjoy FREE BBQ from, frozen treats, live music, community booths, goodies, and a special appearance by Olympic Gold Medalist ! 🏅

Let’s make a splash into Year Two — bring your family, friends, and swimsuits for a day full of fun and celebration! HUGE THANKS goes to !!!

“When I was younger, I almost drowned in our childhood pool. I was leaning over the edge, fell in, and my brother went in after me. That’s why I’m here today.

I was fearful for a bit after that. But my neighbors swam every day, and I learned to become a strong swimmer at their house.

When it came to my peers and Black culture around swimming, I noticed things like generational barriers and that a lot of Black women don’t want get their hair wet.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was buying pool inflatables online, and I realized I didn’t really see myself. I started looking for Black-owned pool inflatable companies and I didn’t find any. I thought to myself, ‘Oh, people think we can’t swim.’ I wanted to change that narrative.

I launched Alma Ocean, my line of pool inflatables with a Kente African pattern. I knew I also needed to help my community. That’s when I launched Alma Swim Foundation, merged the two, and now, I have a non-profit.

We raise funds to help cover costs of swim lessons, which are open to any and everybody who just wants to learn. We also organize cool water safety and educational events like block parties, and partner with organizations to secure swim scholarships.

I became a certified lifeguard and am advocating for others to do the same. I’m so glad I did it, because now I’m AED and CPR certified. It was intense, but I learned so much. Now, I’m prepared to save someone’s life.

When I think back to my childhood and that I survived, I knew right away that this was my calling. My vision is to echo — to become louder and bigger through other people's voices.

I want to encourage, particularly the Black community, to rethink their relationship to the water and know they can actually learn this skill."

Danielle Hodge's personal experience shaped her into the advocate for diversity in aquatics that she is today, one who is breaking down barriers to educate her community and beyond. We're grateful to her for sharing her story, and we hope her compassion and drive inspires you to learn lifesaving skills this holiday season.

Big news! We’re unveiling our brand-new logo, beautifully designed by a talented Nigerian artist in collaboration with the creative team at Think Integrated.

This fresh look marks an exciting step forward in our rebranding journey, reflecting the heart and soul of Alma Swim Foundation. 💙

Take a moment to explore our NEW WEBSITE and see how we’re continuing to make waves in water safety and swim education. (Link in bio!)

Let us know what you think of the new design in the comments 👇🏾.