Two young African-Americans, 3.5 miles of open water, 1 goal... to unite African-American and Senegalese people using the very waters that previously divided them.

Black Kids Swim is a Maryland based 501c3 organization dedicated to increasing Black participation in competitive swimming. This August, we will launch a new web series to unite African Americans and Senegalese through a 3.5 mile open water swimming competition. The web series is part of an initiative called “The Gorée Project” which will follow the journey of two former Howard University Swim Team Captains as they prepare for their first trip to Africa and engage in cultural exchange through sport.

“The Gorée Project” marks the latest programmatic effort of BKS to create and protect excellence in Black children. We recognize that swimming is not a diverse sport and are working to change that by creating a web series that showcases Black swimmers excelling in the sport. We also see this as an opportunity to strengthen ties between African-Americans and Senegalese by fostering mutual understanding. As viewers follow the journey of these two swimmers, they will learn about both American and Senegalese culture, and begin to break down the stereotypes that have kept us apart. The swimmers, Noah Nicholas and Skylar Smith, will prepare physically, mentally and culturally for their adventure; working with BKS’ team of Olympians, historians, and Senegalese thought leaders.

Black Kids Swim's Gorée Project consists of a series of 8 webisodes that follow our ambassadors' swim training, cultural history lessons and meetings with scholars and athletic figures, all to prepare for their first-ever trip to the continent of Africa to participate in the Dakar to Gorée swim. The entire process will be documented, broadcast and ultimately edited into a full-length documentary that will tear down the long-held barriers between Africans and African-Americans and build unity in the African Diaspora.

African-Americans and Senegalese share a similar story, both are brilliant people with long-held cultural traditions. Separately, we have survived slavery and colonialism but continue to struggle against divisive politics, police violence, economic oppression and outright racism. Together, we can thrive. The Gorée journey will inspire and unite our cultures by acknowledging our shared histories and creating a stronger future together.

From the 15th to the 19th century Gorée Island was Africa's largest trading centre of enslaved peoples, today it is a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recognized World Heritage site and serves as a reminder of human exploitation and as a sanctuary for reconciliation. For each of the last 32 years, hundreds of Senegalese have competed in the annual Dakar-to-Gorée swim and festival, without the companionship of their African-American cousins. This year, BKS intends to bring that separation to an end.

This year, Senegal will host the 33rd annual Dakar- Gorée swim, when hundreds of Senegalese retrace the same path enslaved Africans traveled some 400 years ago. BKS’ Gorée Project will mark the first time in history an African-American team competes in this symbolic event.

Become part of this historic journey by helping BKS complete the project and documentation of our ambassadors' training process, and produce a web series documenting their journey to and through the festival in Senegal. An historic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The project will establish an African-American leadership presence in Senegal and build a desperately needed new way forward in our people's development.