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The Gorée Project is BKS’ most ambitious, original and culturally significant program positioned to connect African-American and Senegalese cultures through a 3.5-mile open water swim.
Dakar to Gorée swim is an annual open water swimming competition and challenge beginning at the shore of Dakar, Senegal and culminating at Gorée island 3.5 miles away. The Dakar to Gorée swim is an homage to the victims of slavery who displayed resilience by attempting to swim, often in chains and in shark infested waters, towards freedom.
The project, to be highlighted through an engaging web series, will follow the preparation and journey of two African-American swimmers, as they prepare and train to venture to West Africa for the first time for this unifying sporting event.
Mission: To unite African-American and Senegalese people through the sport of swimming, leveraging the waters that once divided them to foster mutual understanding and respect.
Vision: Through the shared experience of the Dakar to Gorée swim, The Gorée Project aims to dispel longstanding barriers and stereotypes between Africans and African-Americans. By showcasing excellence in Black swimmers and acknowledging the shared history and struggles of both communities, it seeks to inspire unity and a stronger future together.
BKS recognizes the underrepresentation of Black individuals in competitive swimming and the cultural and historical disconnect between African-American and African communities. The Gorée Project serves as a proactive response, creating a platform for cultural exchange, reconciliation, and showcasing Black excellence in swimming.
Scope: This dynamic project encompasses several key components including cross-discipline swim training for our Swimbassadors, cultural education sessions, leadership training, and collaboration with Senegalese scholars and athletic figures to prepare for the Dakar to Gorée swim.
Deliverables:
The Goree Project was first initiated in 2019 by BKS. It was highlighted by a short web series following the preparation and journey of two former Howard University Swim Team Captains, Noah Nicholas and Skylar Smith.
Unfortunately because of COVID the Dak Gorée 2019 race was cancelled and did not resume until 2023. This version of the Gorée Project is a continuation of that original initiative.
Black Kids Swim (BKS) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Maryland, dedicated to changing Black people’s relationship with water.
BKS serves as an online community and platform aimed at dispelling the myth that Black children do not participate in swimming while encouraging them to enter, remain and excel in the sport.
The organization’s mission extends beyond swimming however, focusing on using the water to develop Black children into dynamic and confident leaders with an international mindset.
Join us in a historic movement to heal and unite through swimming. Your donation to The Gorée Project will support the bridging of communities and the celebration of shared histories. Be a part of this transformative journey.
Through The Gorée Project, Black Kids Swim seeks more than competition in a historic swim but to establish a deep, enduring connection between African-American and Senegalese people, celebrating shared cultures and narratives, while navigating a path forward for collective success and development.
