‘Keeping Young Girls and Women Afloat’: Foundation Founder Challenges Myths About Black Girls’ Hair With Invitation to Swimming, Diving, Marine Science & STEM
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Dr. Nevada Winrow has always had a natural affinity for swimming. From the tender age of 8 months, she was already familiar with the water, and thanks to her grandfather, who was once a Navy diver, she learned scuba diving as a teenager. However, she acknowledges that her experiences differ greatly from those of many other Black girls. She laments that Black girls are often discouraged from getting their hair wet, perpetuating myths that prevent them from participating in diving, STEM, and marine science.
In 2017, Dr. Winrow, a pediatric neuropsychologist with training from Johns Hopkins, a PADI master scuba diver, and an associate member of the Women’s Diving Hall of Fame and the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, co-founded the Black Girls Dive Foundation. This Maryland-based initiative has now expanded across the country and aims to dismantle cultural barriers by introducing Black girls as young as 9 years old to the possibilities of a life immersed in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through the world of water.
Dr. Winrow shares her motivation behind starting the foundation, explaining that her curiosity about the underrepresentation of Black females in marine sciences led her to discover that cultural narratives and misconceptions about getting their hair wet were major obstacles. She also highlights the historical segregation of Black individuals and swimming. She saw the Black Girls Dive Foundation as an opportunity to cultivate a STEM identity among Black girls, enabling them to envision themselves in these spaces and dispel the unfounded myths about swimming and hair care.
The foundation’s Streams Program, offered as an afterschool activity from elementary school through college, is a crucial part of their approach. This program takes students with no prior diving or swimming experience and trains them to become certified divers within their first year. Starting in pools and progressing to open water, students develop their skills and knowledge over time. The program’s mentors and instructors guide them through various STEM skills, including marine science, robotics, biology, and geography.
As the program advances, expectations and complexity increase, challenging students’ cognitive abilities. Dr. Winrow explains that they prioritize skill-building and provide mentorship to support the students’ growth. Through the program, students not only learn about the physics of diving but also gain coding skills to operate underwater drones for photography. They also explore geographic information system mapping while participating in shark tagging for tracking purposes.
Another valuable aspect of the program is the exposure to different cultures around the world. During their annual final exam, known as the "capstone," students have the opportunity to travel to various locations where they can integrate culture with STEM. For instance, prior to the pandemic, students journeyed to Andros Island in the Bahamas. They immersed themselves in the local culture and economy while exploring marine caverns through diving. They also studied water chemistry and reef biodiversity. Other groups of students have traveled to Egypt to dive in the Red Sea, gaining firsthand insight into how the exceptional salinity of the water impacts the diving experience. To prepare for this trip, students even learned Arabic and partook in a Bedouin dinner.
For Violet Smith, a senior at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, Maryland, the Black Girls Dive Foundation provided an opportunity to explore her passion for the ocean and decide whether marine science was the right path for her. The program not only allowed her to become a certified scuba diver but also helped her narrow down her interests. Smith plans to major in marine science and cartography in college. One highlight of her time in the program was the chance to scuba dive with whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium. Spending the night at the aquarium and receiving a behind-the-scenes tour provided a truly unforgettable experience.
Joining the Black Girls Dive Foundation has proven transformative for many Black girls, opening doors to STEM fields and breaking down barriers shaped by cultural narratives. Through their programs, these young girls gain confidence in their abilities, develop valuable skills, and gain exposure to various cultures and opportunities.
As students progress through the program, Winrow mentions that they gain a deeper understanding of how to utilize their skills and interests. The mentorship program, which consists of both diving and STEM components, assists students in exploring various career paths. Winrow clarifies that while some students may not pursue ocean science, they may opt for a career in a field closely related to STEM.
She highlights the existence of cultural barriers within the larger systemic barrier that has historically inhibited Black women from entering the STEM space, as well as young Black girls from envisioning themselves in such roles. Winrow aims to foster new ways of thinking and create opportunities to debunk the misconceptions that suggest Black girls are not meant to swim or should avoid getting their hair wet, ultimately accomplishing this through education.
