Support fellow BIPOC mermaids, mermen and merfolx for any adventure you’re planning.
This is a resource guide to some of our favorite ocean advocates, scientists, surfers, scuba divers, and performers!
Our Directory covers every area of mermaid resources. Click the category you’re interested in below!
Imari Walker
Imari Walker is an analytical chemist, environmental engineer, and oceanographer. Imari’s travels have influenced her concerns for the future of clean accessible water, due to increased anthropogenic influences of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Imari uses her science communication-based YouTube channel to share information about plastic pollution, microplastics, and chemicals associated with these consumer products.
Dr. Jeanette Davis
A dynamic author, research scientist, and diversity advocate, Dr. Jeanette Davis (also known as Dr. Ocean) has left her mark far beyond the field of science. Davis is a Marine Microbiologist who contributes to ocean science nationally and internationally and has traveled to several countries speaking about her research and coordinating ocean science.
Nancy Iraba
Nancy Iraba is a Marine Scientist and Benthic ecologist by Profession. She has been working with Aqua-Farms Organization since 2016 as a Research Assistant in Project Management and Science Communication Officer. She is a nature enthusiast, passionate about Mangrove Forest Restoration and biodiversity Preservation. She aspires to give women, youth, and children more platforms to air out their opinions and share their stories through hosting TEDx events.
Nia Burnett
Nia Burnett graduated from Allegheny College in the spring of 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. She was a National Science Foundation Intern at Savannah State University during the summer of 2015. She is passionate about the STEM and STEAM fields and will continue to pursue higher education after Allegheny in planetary science, geology/oceanography, and marine science.
Dr. Ashanti Johnson
Dr. Ashanti Johnson is an international expert and highly accredited STEM speaker, profiled in Wikipedia, several STEM textbooks, and various other publications. She is also one of the first African American female Chemical Oceanographers in the country.
Dr. Jame McCray
Jame McCray, Ph.D., founded Ecotonic Movement in 2020. She is an ecologist and choreographer whose work explores questions of place through three forms of inquiry: research, movement, and community engagement.
Eeeland Stribling
Eeeland, also known as the Black Steve Irwin on Instagram, is a Wildlife Educator, Biologist, and Standup Comedian based in the Denver area. Eeland is passionate about conservation, comedy, and the importance of outdoor education for future conservation efforts.
Celina Chien
Celina Chien is an intersectional wildlife conservationist, combining her roles as an ecologist, photojournalist, and storyteller to defend biodiversity in the age of the Anthropocene. She uses photography to expose the ongoing assault on the natural world, rekindle a love for nature, and ultimately galvanize people to protect our planet’s irreplaceable biodiversity.
Corina Newsome
Corina Newsome is an American ornithologist, birder, science communicator, and graduate student at Georgia Southern University. In response to the racism faced by Black birder Christian Cooper in Central Park, Newsome co-organized Black Birders Week to celebrate Black birders.
Marine Biology with Yasmin
Yasmin is a Marine Molecular Biologist studying at the University of Plymouth and the Treasurer for the Royal Society of Biology. Her research focuses on diatom response mechanisms and the potential biotechnological applications.
Rose Santana
Rose Santana is a marine scientist. She graduates from Florida International University with a bachelor's degree, and her current research focuses on the effects of metal contaminants on fish behavior. Rose started SCIE.CO as a way to connect with other scientists and science enthusiasts. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography.
Carlee Jackson
Carlee Jackson is a Black marine biologist and a shark & sea turtle conservationist. Having graduated with an M.S. in Marine Biology, she co-founded an organization called Minorities in Shark Science (MISS) for Black girl shark scientists.
Hip Hop MD
Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D., graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Civil Engineering. His passion for science and entertainment, along with his curiosity for new innovation, has taken him through an incredible life journey. He now uses his knowledge of science to help inspire minorities and youth by bridging the gap between music, entertainment, & science - encouraging more diverse involvement in the S.T.E.M. fields.
Dr. Camille Gaynus
Dr. Camille Gaynus focuses on coral reef ecosystems, local economies, and shore protection. Throughout her career she has focused on the environmental changes that allow algae to succeed. She has conducted a variety of field experiments, manipulating herbivore presence, sediment, and nutrients and measuring algal responses. Currently, Dr. Gaynus is working at the University of Penn as a Postdoctoral Fellow.
De'Marcus Robinson
De’Marcus Robinson is a UCLA graduate student in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Formerly, he attended Florida A&M University, where he majored in Environmental Science with a concentration in Toxicology and Human Health. While there, he researched chemicals that could be used to make a fiber that absorbs oil, a solution for cleaning up oil spills in the ocean.
Ida-Wenona Hendricks
Ida-Wenona Hendricks is a Tropical marine biologist, naturalist, and budding taxonomist. As a Namibian marine biologist, Ida has faced repercussions for questioning neo-colonial practices in her home country. Ida is helping women of colour to protect their beautiful coils from saltwater in an eco-friendly way.
Milan the Coral Doctor
Milan, better known as, the Coral Doctor has received certificates in Aquarium Maintenance, Global Warming, and Marine Biology. This summer, she will be sitting for the California Bar exam. She is also preparing to become certified in scuba diving and freediving to have a greater hands-on approach in her research.
Ashley the Wildlife Host
Ashley Gary is a science communicator focused on wildlife and the environment. She’s on Instagram and Twitter as @thewildlifehost, where she created the #DailyWildlifePick, her pick for featured species of the day. Her focus is to not only share knowledge about wildlife and nature but also encourage people of all ages to go outside and learn about their surroundings. When not creating educational content for social media, she is blogging on her site, writing nature articles, and engaging in outreach events.
Jaylen Bastos
Jaylen Bastos is a Quuer Black and Latinx scientist whose work centers around urban conservation, animal behavior, and human-wildlife coexistence. He Is a graduate of the University of British Columbia's Natural Resource Conservation Undergraduate program with a specialization in science and management. Currently, Jaylen is serving as one of the principal investigators for SCBC's Vancouver Cat Count camera trap project. In addition to the Vancouver Cat Count, Jaylen is currently working towards his Masters and will be using his Vancouver camera trap network to answer questions about urban animal behavior, cognition, and coexistence strategies.
Melissa Cristina Marquez
Melissa Cristina Marquez is a shark scientist, science communicator, TV presenter, and author. She has a passion and drive for showcasing science in a way that makes it appealing to the general public. She values collaboration, sharing experiences, and learning from each other.
Black in Marine Science
Black In Marine Science is a group of Black Marine Scientists and allies organising and coordinating an online event to engage all Black Marine Scientists and supporters.
Black STEMpowerment
Black STEMpowerment is dedicated to bridging the gap between Black womxn and STEM.
Science in Color
Science in Color strives to bring attention to scientists from underrepresented communities.
Minorities in Aquaculture
Minorities in Aquaculture believe that by educating minority women about the restorative and sustainability benefits provided by local and global aquaculture, we can create a more diverse, inclusive aquaculture industry.
Minorities in Shark Science
Minorities in Shark Science (MISS) was founded by four Black female shark researchers. MISS strives to be seen and take up space in a discipline that has been largely inaccessible for women of color. They strive to be positive role models for the next generation, seek to promote diversity and inclusion in shark science, and encourage women of color to push through barriers and contribute knowledge in marine science.
oceanWOMxN
Womxn in science who recognise the need for change. Ocean Womxn was launched by four womxn from the UCT Department of Oceanography through the UCT Vice Chancellor’s “Scholarship for Womxn by Womxn” programme.
Their own experiences as womxn in the field have made them passionate about helping womxn achieve excellence in oceanography.
Inka Cresswell
Inka is a Bristol-based Wildlife filmmaker and underwater Camera Operator with a B.Sc. in Marine Biology and M.A. in Wildlife Filmmaking from The University of the West of England. Her goal is to be able to use her background in Marine Science to create inspiring Ocean Conservation films that educate and inform the next generation driving real conservation impact.
Mermaid Katie Bahamas
Katie Storr aka Mermaid Katie is an Underwater & Travel Photographer, she specializes in Scuba Diving Instruction and is a Media and Content Curator for 'ThisIsBahamas' Travel based in The Bahamas. She is the Manager of the 'This Is Bahamas' travel page which is seen on Instagram, providing visitors with valuable info on Marine Protected Areas, Marinas, Navigation, Fishing Regulations, and Scuba Diving Treks.
Ed Olu
Growing up in Nigeria, Ed often spent time at the beach, but never actually in the water, that is, until he moved to Southern California. After completing the first-level diving certification, Ed went on to become a Dive Master. He now spends his time traveling the world and experiencing new dives.
Zandi Ndhlovu
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Zandi Ndhlovu is a freediver, lover of food, nature, travel, and all things mermaid! She is currently working as a Diversity Consultant & Freediving Instructor. She is also involved in a variety of projects including The Black Mermaid Foundation & The Ocean of Colour - both seeking to increase representation in ocean spaces.
Kayla Grimes
Kayla Grimes is a self identified mermaid witch of the oceans. She is also the Co-Founder of Sirens Saving Seas, a group of mermaids working together to save our seas and spread awareness on the importance of keeping our earths waters clean.
Urban Scuba Kids
Urban Scuba Kids mission is to inspire and educate inner-city youth about the sport of scuba diving. Their vision is to expand and enrich kids horizons of the underwater worlds ocean life near and far.
BlackMermaid
Black Mermaid is a blog looking to bring the world closer to the ocean by using breath-hold as a means of learning self and exploring through the eye of wonder.
The Ocean of Colour
The Ocean of Colour focuses on the creation of diverse oceans that are representative and inclusive, the normalization of Black & Brown people being water people too, and always the exploration of what ownership and authority mean, especially when looking at it from the perspective of communities
National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS)
The National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS) was established in 1991 by Ric Powell and Dr A. Jose Jones. Ric Powell and Dr. Jones were two of the earliest African-Americans to become certified divers, and their collaboration resulted in the creation of NABS which purpose was to foster camaraderie among African American divers, and to address the unique problems and concerns of the African-American community. Since the formation of NABS, the organization has blossomed to over 2,000 members across the country and internationally.
Black Girls Dive
In 2013, while at the National Association of Black Scuba Divers Association Annual Summit, a group of women got together to discuss the lack of representation of African American women in the Diving World, Marine Sciences and Oceanographic studies, and scientific diving. These women agreed: It is because of discrimination and segregation that swimming never became a part of African-American recreational culture. Their mission is to combat these negative cultural narratives about swimming.
Diving with a Purpose
Diving with a Purpose (DWP) is a leading international organization that provides education and training programs, mission leadership, and project support services for submerged heritage preservation and conservation projects worldwide with a focus on the African Diaspora.
Black Girl Environmentalist
Black Girl Environmentalist is a supportive community of Black girls, women, and non-binary environmentalists.
WONDER Fund
The Wonder Fund provides annual travel grants and mentorship opportunities for Black or Indigenous womxn in earth and space sciences.
Erica Nelson
Erica Nelson is the host of the Awkward Angler Podcast. She is a self-taught angler that is passionate about sharing her learning journey.
Alvin Dedeaux
Alvin Dedeaux has been fly fishing for over 40 years and has worked in the fly fishing industry for over 20 years. He is the owner and main media and creative at All Water Guides and Alvin Dedeaux Fly Fishing.
Lael Paul Johnson
Lael Paul Johnson is an Olympic National Park & Alaska Fly Fishing Gyde. He brings anglers and photographers on rivers around the world.
Brown Folks Fishing
Brown Folks Fishing is a community-based organization that is by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) anglers. They cultivate a community for BIPOC in fishing and its industry. BFF is a space to build together and a movement to expand access. They do their work through storytelling, grassroots organizing, events, and community-building.
Nique Miller
Dominique Miller is an Afro-Latina surfer. She recently announced a Billabong sponsorship and has grown her social media following to over 100k followers on Instagram alone.
Elishama Jeshurun Beckford
Elishama Beckford is a Jamaican pro surfer and skateboarder. After landing a sponsorship deal with Hurley in 2018, Beckford teamed up with the label to create a fashion line called The “Jamaica Collection”. The line is island inspired sports and casual wear.
Color the Water
Color The Water is a community for BIPOC to reclaim space in the ocean through joyful, defiant anti-racist surf lessons, celebrations, education, and media.
Black Surfers
Black Surfers was made to connect Black surfers locally and around the globe!
MeWater Foundation
MeWater Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization run by surfers and mental health professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area. They provide day and overnight surf camps to youth, families, and groups, with a mental health approach to mindfulness, empowerment, and exposure to the ocean and the great outdoors.
Black Surfing Association
The Black Surfing Association (BSA) is a non-profit organization based in Rockaway Beach, Queens. Started in 2016 by Lou Harris, they give free lessons to local children. Harris started the BSA after hearing an incident in 2014, leading them to strive to keep the local children active and occupied.
City Surf Project
City Surf Project continues their mission to ensure equity and access to ocean recreation for Bay Area youth through surfing. In partnership with SFUSD schools and Community Based Organizations, they run year-round programs that are free of charge for youth.
Brown Girl Surf
Brown Girl Surf works to build a more diverse, environmentally reverent, and joyful women’s surf culture by increasing access to surfing, cultivating community, amplifying the voices of women of color surfers, and taking care of the earth.
Black Girls Surf
Black Girls Surf supports girls/women whose career goals are competing in professional surfing. Through, fundraising efforts they have been able to send athletes to compete and train with professionals to ensure that they are prepared. Under BGS, participants have an opportunity to train with world-class surfing professionals. Black Girls Surf is the brainchild of USCG veteran, Rhonda Harper, who noticed the lack of visibility within professional surfing. As a longtime surfer with aspirations of becoming a professional surfer herself, she understood the need for coaches, mentors, and trainers of color. In short, she wanted to become the mentor she needed for surfers around the world.
Textured Waves
Textured Waves was created to propagate the culture and sport of womens surfing towards women of color and underrepresented demographics through representation, community, and sisterly camaraderie.
They value integrity, inclusion and advocating diversity in the water.
Dr. Cliff Kapono
Dr. Cliff Kapono is a professional surfer, journalist and ASU professor from Hawai’i. He has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications in the field of molecular bioscience, has produced award-winning films that cover ocean conservation, indigenous activism, global food security and augmented reality. He divides his time between chasing waves around Hilo, Hawai’i and working in his lab.
He
Katie Boué
Katie Boué is a Cuban-American outdoor advocate, writer, speaker, and community marketing strategist.
Teresa Baker
Teresa Baker is working to increase diversity and inclusion in the outdoor industry.
Ron Griswell
Ron Griswell was born and raised in North Carolina. After moving to Minneapolis he became fascinated with the outdoor industry. Ron is an outdoor educator, digital creator, social media influencer, and a DEI consultant among other things. He’s an avid traveler and an advocate for HBCU's.
Inclusive Outdoors Project
Inclusive Outdoors Project mission is to host events that bridge the gap between affinity spaces and outdoor based organizations.
Chelsea Murphy
Chelsea Murphy has always had a connection with nature, and found a consistent love for the outdoors more recently. After meeting her husband they decided to marry and settle down in his home mountain town in North Central Washington. Currently a mother of two kids on a mission to create a better more inclusive world for them. They go hiking and camping and try and spend at least 30 minutes outside each day. She uses solo hiking and trail running to balance her own personal mental health and wellness.
Ambreen Tariq
@BrownPeopleCamping is a social media initiative that utilizes personal narratives and digital storytelling to promote greater diversity in our public lands and outdoors community. @BrownPeopleCamping believes in the power of storytelling. Stories that empower people of every background to experience the outdoors, and stories that build a diverse community of people who will challenge the barriers that stand in the way of all Americans accessing and enjoying our nation’s natural heritage
Keenan Jerome
Keenan Jerome is a Freelance Photographer, Scientist, & Nomad. Currently living with one foot in the Colorado Rockies and the other in the Caribbean Sea. This nomadic existence feeds his need for salt water and mountain air, both of which revive his soul. His work has been featured in The Business Insider, The Wilderness Society, and The Defenders of Wildlife.
Brown Girl Outdoor World
Brown Girl Outdoor World works to create adventure, build community, and be the representation that will change the outdoor narrative. Through community engagement and a wide range of outdoor activities, Brown Girl Outdoor World (BGOW) is committed to changing the narratives assigned to the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPoC) community in outdoor adventure and recreation.
Black Outside
With the knowledge that only 1% of Texas state park participants identify as Black/African-American, Black Outside, Inc was founded with one simple mission: reconnecting Black/African-American youth to the outdoors. Through culturally relevant programming, inspired volunteers, and passion for connecting youth to the powerful history of Black people in the outdoors, they seek to move the needle on diversity in the outdoors and ensure our youth have safe and equitable spaces outside.
Latino Outdoors
Latino Outdoors is a unique Latinx-led organization working to create a national community of leaders in conservation and outdoor education. As part of this work, they are focused on expanding and amplifying the Latinx experience in the outdoors; providing greater leadership, mentorship, and professional opportunities while serving as a platform for sharing cultural connections and narratives that are often overlooked by the traditional outdoor movement.
Wild Diversity
Wild Diversity focuses on reinvesting in community knowledge expansion in stewardship, outdoor education programming and skill-share centering Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ communities through decolonized stewardship. Since inception in 2017, Wild Diversity has invested effort in neighborhoods, community, outdoor experiences and adventure skills for BIPOC and LGBTQ communities. They limit economic barriers of entry for to outdoor adventures by providing sliding scale adventures and education; awarding scholarships; and gear lending through our Gear Library.
HBCUs Outside
When HBCUs Outside started, they broke stereotypes and inspired underrepresented collegiate youth to get outside for general wellness and to care for public lands simply by existing in those spaces and sharing stories. HBCUs Outside is creating a pathway for sustainable change by providing resources on how to get outside and access to equipment. They are building community around social media narratives and involving outdoor brands and partners at the corporate level. Whether you are a current student, alumni, or a corporate or non-profit member of the outdoor industry working for a more equitable future, HBCUs Outside invites you to connect.
Get Out Stay Out
Get Out Stay Out/Vamos Afuera is a grassroots, Central Coast nonprofit, that invites Indigenous Migrant youth to run, play, and discover themselves in the natural environment. Through equitable and culturally sensitive, outdoor programming GOSO believes the natural environment provides the perfect tools needed for youth to build self-confidence, develop leadership skills, and build community.
Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. They are a national not for profit organization with leadership networks around the country. With more than 80 leaders in 42 cities around the country, they connect thousands of people to nature experiences, who are changing the face of conservation.
The Unpopular Black
The Unpopular Black has a mission to encourage Black adventure beyond the stereotpyes and narratives of what Black people "don't do". Their goal is to show a real representation of Black people adventuring and provide information on how to access outdoor spaces and adventure activities that have been white facing/focused for far too long.
Soul Trak Outdoors
Soul Trak Outdoors is a D.C. based nonprofit organization that connects communities of color to outdoor spaces while also building a coalition of diverse outdoor leaders. They run a variety of programming to serve hands-on, experiential programming. The outdoors is a setting that can bring people from all walks of life together, while also serving as a classroom for life lessons, skill development, sense of place, and outdoor stewardship.
WeGotNext
WeGotNext amplifies individual stories of adventure and activism from communities that have been underrepresented in outdoor, conservation and environmental spaces.
Color Outside
Color Outside was started because they saw firsthand the power of outdoor adventures in helping entrepreneurial women of color create more expansive, whole, joy-filled lives.
Native Women’s Wilderness
Native Women’s Wilderness works to inspire and raise the voices of Native Women in the Outdoor Realm. They encourage a healthy lifestyle within the wilderness and provide education of the ancestral lands and its people.
CR Bloom Project
The Charles Roundtree Bloom Project aims to create a space of communal healing for youth impacted by incarceration by facilitating healing-centered outdoor experiences and culturally relevant environmental education that will help them envision new possibilities for their lives, for their communities, and for our world.
Weldon Wade
Weldon Wade is first and only Bermudian certified freediver, SCUBA diver and closed-circult rebreather diver, the founder of an ocean conservation organization called Guardians of the Reef and leader of a few ocean focused projects.
Nadia Aly
Nadia Aly is an award winning wildlife photographer, with a focus on underwater marine life. Her primary goal is to educate people globally, about the diverse populations of sea creatures that exist in our oceans.
Adrian Kawaley-Lathan
Adrian combines his expertise in peacebuilding, storytelling, and communications to transform apathy into action. He designs, directs, and facilitates programs, campaigns, and productions that enhance social engagement, build capacity and empower sustainable change towards positive peace, social harmony, and deep ecology.
Azul
Azul is a grassroots organization working with Latinos to conserve marine resources. Founded in 2011 Azul has developed and executed campaigns that achieved groundbreaking ocean conservation policy victories in California.
Beyond the Surface International
Beyond the Surface International is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working together with small-scale fishing villages to support social-ecological wellbeing, nurture resilience-thinking, and promote natural-cultural heritage through surfing, storytelling, and mindfulness workshops that engage youth and their communities for healthy seas and societies.
Big Blue & You
As an organization founded and run by women of color, female empowerment is built into our way of life and embedded in our every program, from the majority of our guest artists identifying as women to the many female individuals who make our work possible. Our team and the majority of our board are proudly composed of women, and we are committed to using our platform to advocate for both our ocean and the amazing women who love it!
I AM WATER
I AM WATER believes in ocean conservation through transformative ocean experience. Their mission is to ignite a movement of blue minds across the planet, to facilitate physical and emotional connections to the aquatic environment, to build an understanding of the interdependence of healthy humans and healthy oceans, and to influence behaviors to protect our global seas.
Waterstart
The Waterstart Mission is to promote environmental awareness and personal growth through hands-on educational opportunities in natural environments.
Dominique Drakeford
Dominique Drakeford works to educate and disrupt un-sustainable systems while simultaneously celebrating her Blackness. For the past 10+ years, she has been dedicated to redefining and breathing new life into the ideology of sustainability to embody transformative justice and creative innovation.
Dr. Kiona
How Not To Travel Like A Basic Bitch’s mission is to offer honest travel content to help other travelers feel more confident before they travel, while simultaneously checking privilege and providing a unique platform to learn about important issues from people actually impacting them.
Mikaela Loach
Mikaela is a sustainable living and ethical fashion blogger based in Edinburgh, where she studies Medicine at university. Mikaela is passionate about plastic free and vegan living, ethical clothing and how we can make these movements accessible and inclusive.
Cindy Villaseñor
Cindy Villaseñor or Cero Waste Cindy on social media is an educator, activist, environmental advocate, plant-lover and adorer of the outdoors. She is passionate about helping others start a sustainability journey in a way that is practical and understanding of the fact that there is no such thing as truly zero waste.
Isaias Hernandez
Isaias Hernandez is an Environmental Educator and creator of QueerBrownVegan where he creates introductory forms of environmentalism through colorful graphics, illustrations, and videos. He seeks to provide a safe space for like-minded environmentalists to advance the discourse around the climate crisis.
Kamea Chayne
UPROOTED is a 100% reader-supported newsletter by @GreenDreamerKamea that explores our paths to collective and planetary healing through multidisciplinary lenses. It centers on those who have been historically and presently dispossessed—physically, emotionally, spiritually—and alludes to a future of true abundance and wellness for all, when the dominant exploitative system has been uprooted.
Kristy Drutman
Proactive and innovative digital media strategist with a passion for environmental education and advocacy. Kristy Drutman is also a talented public speaker, workshop facilitator, and trainer on topics centered around cultural identity, climate justice, and digital storytelling.
Leah Thomas
Leah Thomas is an eco-communicator, aka an environmentalist with a love for writing + creativity, based in Ventura, CA. She’s passionate about advocating for and exploring the relationship between social justice and environmentalism. You could say she’s tryna make the world a little more equal for everyone and a little nicer to our home planet. She is the founder of eco-lifestyle blog @greengirlleah , @thegreensgirlco and The Intersectional Environmentalist Platform, which is a resource + media hub that aims to advocate for environmental justice + inclusivity within environmental education + movements.
Diandra Marizet
Diandra Marizet is a conscious curator and Co-founder of Intersectional Environmentalist. She is an advocate for the people and the planet.
Karen Ramos
Karen Ramos founded a non profit serving the migrant indigenous populations of the Central Coast called Get Out Stay Out/ Vamos Afuera.
Willow Wright Defebaugh
Atmos is an exploration of climate and culture, a biannual magazine and digital platform curated by an ecosystem of adventurers, creatives, and journalists dedicated to pioneering progress around the world.
Welcome to the Atmosphere.
Sally Garcia
Sally Garcia is a former member of the NPCA Los Angeles Young Leaders Council. She is passionate about park access for all and conservation.
Greening Youth Foundation
The Greening Youth Foundation’s (GYF) mission is to engage under-represented youth and young adults, while connecting them to the outdoors and careers in conservation. GYF’s cultural based environmental education programing engages children from local communities and exposes them to healthy lifestyle choices in order to create an overall healthy community. GYF believes that youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds can greatly benefit from the career opportunities presented within the state and federal land management sectors.
Sustainable Brooklyn
Sustainable Brooklyn works to bridge gaps between the sustainability movement and targeted communities through various modalities, including education and events. They are committed to fashionably fostering the evolution of sustainability to create an inclusive future for all. They provide access and insight to sustainability from the lens of the African diaspora to: 1) address the limitations of the current sustainability movement; and 2) implement holistic strategies that provide regenerative solutions for Black liberation - a fertile foundation upon which to thrive, unencumbered.
We Act
WE ACT empowers and organizes low-income, people of color to build healthy communities for all. WE ACT’s mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT was started in 1988 when three fearless community leaders saw that environmental racism was rampant in their West Harlem neighborhood, and they demanded community-driven, political change. The organization has grown to over 16 staff members and 2 locations in NYC and Washington, D.C., and is considered an active and respected participant in the national Environmental Justice Movement.
Intersectional Environmentalist
Intersectional environmentalism, a term largely inspired by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw and her work with critical race theory, is an inclusive form of environmentalism that advocates for the protection of all people + the planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices affecting marginalized communities + Mother Earth are interconnected. Intersectional Environmentalism not only acknowledges these links, but brings them to the forefront of environmental activism without minimizing or silencing overt + discreet forms of oppression.
Re-Earth Initiative
Re-Earth Initiative's mission is to make the climate movement accessible to all. While youth are becoming more aware about social and environmental issues, there still remains a gap in driving real, concrete change. They hope to break the echo chamber and bring climate action to the masses, by hosting informational webinars and writing toolkits.
Latinas For Climate
Latinas For Climate is an international network of young Latin American Women climate activists.
Mermaid Chè Monique
Mermaid Chè Monique is dedicated to helping people find magical moments every day. Follow her social media feeds for videos on self care as well as videos of Chè underwater. Mermaid Chè is a fat, Black Mermaid with natural hair. People who look like Chè are often told that they are less than and unworthy. Mermaid Chè Monique is here to remind you that you are more than enough and deserve to live a joyous life full of magic.
Simone Manuel
Simone Ashley Manuel is an American competition swimmer specializing in sprint freestyle. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she won two gold and two silver medals: gold in the 100-meter freestyle and the 4x100-meter medley, and silver in the 50-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. In winning the 100-meter freestyle, a tie with Penny Oleksiak of Canada, Manuel became the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic gold in swimming and set an Olympic record and an American record.
Black Girls Swim
As a health and physical educator and an avid participant in aquatics aquatic activities , Dr. Asherah Allen is continuously working to teach all people about optimal health and wellness practices and aquatics. Dr. Allen's mission is to inform all people about the importance of water safety and drowning prevention techniques, specifically advocating for people in underrepresented and minority communities.
Interaction with the community through BlackGirlSwim, swim lessons, forums, and research, she wants to create a movement that will help reverse the disparity among minority groups in aquatics. She wants this movement to positively impact our communities, our schools, and our world!
Empowered Swimming
Empowered Swimming Incorporated has a mission is to provide access to professional, affordable, and dependable aquatic services to the marginalized community. Empowered Swimming Incorporated generates funding to grant scholarship opportunities to those eager to learn how to swim and/or become American Red Cross Lifeguard certified! Their mission extends beyond the pool deck and into the community where they host programs and events focused on educating minority communities on the POWER of swimming! Their goal is to actively reduce the drowning rate by eliminating every reason why swimming/water safety training would not be a priority for minority families.
Afromermaid
Afromermaid skincare is a locally owned and operated studio located in the Bearden area of Knoxville, Tennessee. They specialize in customized facial skincare and body treatments. They also offer dermaplaning, dermafile, chemical peels and high frequency treatments
Diversity in Aquatics
Diversity in Aquatics aims to provide educational programming and collaborative relationships in traditionally underrepresented communities in order to equip historically underrepresented communities and vulnerable populations with the skills needed to be safe and participate in aquatic physical activities and environments.
Black People Will Swim
Black People Will Swim’s sole mission is plain and simple: it’s smashing the stereotype that Black people don’t swim. Their acronym F.A.C.E. stands for Fun, Awareness, Community, Education and is used to encourage the Black community to FACE their fears.
Fish ‘N Fins
Fish ‘N Fins is a non-profit organization which enables Caribbean children to learn to swim, snorkel and protect our oceans. Conservation activities include: exploring tropical marine habitats, creating ocean art, community projects, internships, sea safety skills and more.
Black Kids Swim
Black Kids Swim is a 501c3 organization based in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Their mission is to increase Black participation in the sport of competitive swimming.
Afro Swimmers
Afro Swimmers works to connect the AfroSwim community, eliminate stereotypes, and celebrate swimmers all over the world.
Jerome Foster II
Jerome Foster II is a climate justice activist, virtual reality developer, and Harvard graduate environmental law dual-enrollment student. His work as a leader in the youth climate movement has been recognized on the international stage. Jerome has spoken at the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights, met with world leaders, and has helped to pass the Clean Energy DC Act which is one of the most aggressive and comprehensive decarbonization bills being implemented in the nation.
Xiye Bastida
Xiye Bastida is a Mexican-Chilean climate activist and member of the indigenous Mexican Otomi-Toltec nation. She is one of the major organizers of Fridays for Future New York City and has been a leading voice for indigenous and immigrant visibility in climate activism. She is on the administration committee of the People's Climate Movement and a former member of Sunrise Movement and Extinction Rebellion. She is co-founder of Re-Earth Initiative, an international non for profit organization that is inclusive and intersectional “just as the climate movement should be.”
Kevin J. Patel
Kevin J. Patel has fought as an intersectional climate justice activist from Los Angeles, CA for the past ten years. Growing up with severe heart issues due to Los Angeles’s poor air quality, he is one of the millions of people across the world who are already victims of the climate crisis. In 2019, Kevin founded OneUpAction International, an organization that supports and empowers marginalized youth by providing them with the resources they need to be changemakers. Through his work with OneUpAction, Kevin collaborated with the community to create the first-of-its-kind Youth Climate Commission in LA County to amplify youth voices on the climate crisis. Kevin is a UN Togetherband Ambassador for Goal 13 and 14, and he currently serves as a 2020 National Geographic Young Explorer.
Ao Organics Hawaii
Ao Organics Sunscreen is formulated with active ingredient Non-Nano Zinc Oxide–a mineral that does not absorb into your skin–to deliver a safe SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Furthermore, Ao Organics hand picks and highly researches each ingredient in all of their sunscreen products, ensuring that they are the highest quality, organic and reef-safe.
Black Mermaid Soaps
Denise Zannu started as a “kitchen chemist,” making natural products for co-workers, friends and family. Using her knowledge of herbs and aromatherapy, she crafted creations that were healthier for their skin and elevated their emotional well-being. Years later, Zannu focused her passion and drive to launch Black Mermaid’s Bath & Body. The company’s purpose is help people have healthy, beautiful skin – naturally.
Maya the Mermaid
Cuddle+Kind creates beautiful handcrafted dolls including this Maya the mermaid doll. Maya the mermaid is described as follows "I’m from a magical, watery kingdom and I love learning every magnificent thing about it! My mind is quick and full of questions – do you like to invent and build things like me? Let’s be best friends and invite all the fish to the breathtaking castle we build together out of coral and seaweed!"
Sweet Wyrdness
Sweet Wyrdness does their best to live from their most connected and loving expressions! They know that bringing all that loving eclectic & eccentric energy into the world can be a lot so they thought create eclectic beautiful Afro futuristic tribal art to surround and support you as you recharge, nourish and relax in your space, be it office, home or spaces in between.
AfroMermaid Shop
Founded from a vacation inspiration, AfroMermaid is an opportunity to build and positively transform a community of diverse water lovers. Growing up as a brown skin girl, and not seeing any toys or T.V characters that looked like them, negatively impacted their self esteem. That goes for countless girls with a similar story. This highly influences the way we think, act and perceive ourselves.
S. PhaFa Roy
S. PhaFa Roy is a Haitian-American fashion artist and maker from Brooklyn, New York. Her illustrations capture narratives of women through their fashion, personal style and culture. She is committed to using art as a tool for inspiration and innovation.
Taylor Washington
Taylor Washington is a creative director, set designer, and freelance photographer shooting primarily in Los Angeles. She aims to capture the essence of whomever or whatever she is photographing.
Baadal Nanjundaswamy
Baadal Nanjundaswamy is an Indian painter. An alumnus of Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA), he is most popular for his street art and 3D paintings.
Marshall "Aquaman" Niang
Marshall, also known as, Aquaman, grew up between Germany and France, before moving to New York City. He is an underwater and travel content creator. His passion for diving has inspried him to explore deeper into his mind and body.
Jessica Thompson Carr
Jessica Thompson Carr is an artist born and bred in Ōtepoti, New Zealand. She achieved her degree in English and Art History in 2017, and completed her Masters Coursework in 2019, whilst working on her internship with Toi Māori in Ōtautahi at the Court Theatre. Jessica is Ngāpuhi and Ngati Ruanui, and explores and represents her Māori heritage through poetry, fiction, drawing, photography, and painting. She defines herself as a Māori Mermaid, a magical being of two worlds.
Vashti Harrison
Author, Illustrator, and filmmaker Vashti Harrison is an artist originally from Onley, Virginia. She has a background in cinematography and screenwriting and a love for storytelling. She earned her BA from the University of Virginia with a double major in Media Studies and Studio Art with concentrations in Film and Cinematography. She received her MFA in Film and Video from CalArts where she rekindled a love for drawing and painting. Now, utilizing both skill sets, she is passionate about crafting beautiful stories in both the film and kidlit worlds.
André Musgrove
André Musgrove is an Underwater Photographer, Underwater Cinematographer, Filmmaker, Professional Freediver, Spearfisherman, Underwater Stunt Performer and Private Dive Guide born and based in The Bahamas. Growing up diving in The Bahamas gives him invaluable knowledge of the best underwater locations across the country. He has worked on a variety of projects with international brands including Discovery Channel, Gopro, National Geographic, Sky Nature, Science Channel, Canon, Rolex and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Iona Parris Shell Queen
Iona Parris has created a collection of one of a kind art pieces and jewelry. Created with the beautiful seashells, every piece is mindfully hand crafted and designed by Caribbean American seashell artisan Iona Parris. Assembled with the finest materials they strive to achieve an equal balance between quality and the imperfections of a world and the water in which we find our inspiration.
Naomi Koochieku Munroe
Naomi Koochieku Munroe is a Black Nonbinary artist, costumer, and cosplayer.
Maui aka Bahari
Merman Maui is a Dancer, Choreographer, and Pro merman with Dark Tide Productions and Court of Mermaids.
Viviana the Mermaid
Viviana the Mermaid is a California based Black mermaid from the Caribbean Waters.
Sirene Kalypso
Sirene Kalypso is an International Black Merbassador and ambassador for MerrowFins Mermaid Tails, Days Inn PCB, Chic Creature Co., and Mermaid Lucia ™.
Mermaid Lea
Mermaid Lea is a Gulf Coast Professional Mermaid and Ambassador for Days Inn PCB and Chic Creature Co.
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
The water-breathing descendants of African slave women tossed overboard have built their own underwater society—and must reclaim the memories of their past to shape their future in this brilliantly imaginative novella inspired by the Hugo Award–nominated song “The Deep” from Daveed Diggs’s rap group clipping
Ingo by Helen Dunmore
In a novel full of longing, mystery, and magic, Helen Dunmore takes us to a new world that has the power both to captivate and to destroy. Sapphire's father mysteriously vanishes into the waves off the Cornwall coast where her family has always lived. She misses him terribly, and she longs to hear his spellbinding tales about the Mer, who live in the underwater kingdom of Ingo.
The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gower
One September evening in 1785, Jonah Hancock hears an urgent knocking on his front door near the docks of London. The captain of one of Jonah’s trading vessels is waiting eagerly on the front step, bearing shocking news. On a voyage to the Far East, he sold the Jonah’s ship for something rare and far more precious: a mermaid.
What’s the Commotion in the Ocean? by Nyasha Williams
A mermaid has a message for the earth about our seas and oceans, and she requires your help. Find out what is happening with our oceans and what we can do to save them. What's the Commotion in the Ocean? is a rhyming children's book reflecting on the current happenings in the ocean and what we can do to help.
The Sea Lady by HG Wells
The Sea Lady is a fantasy novel written by H. G. Wells that has some of the aspects of a fable. It was serialized from July to December 1901 in Pearson's Magazine before being published as a volume by Methuen. The inspiration for the novel was Wells's glimpse of May Nisbet.
Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué
Undine is a fairy-tale novella by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué in which Undine, a water spirit, marries a knight named Huldebrand in order to gain a soul. It is an early German romance, which has been translated into English and other languages.
The Moon and the Sun by Vonda N McIntyre
King Louis XIV believes hes found the source of immortality: a rare sea monster. But as he and his natural philosopher, Yves, prepare to experiment on it, Yvess sister is taken by the creatures gaze and exquisite singing. Dare she interfere to save the creatures life?
The Mermaid Wakes by Canute Caliste and Lola Berg
This is a book of 22 paintings of a Caribbean isle by Canute Caliste which are accompanied by a tale by Lora Berg. The size and ownership of the paintings are included.
Lala Jackson
Lala Jackson is an international best selling author and storyteller. Creator of the "Who Made You Great?" podcast, Lala is known for her ability to dive into complex issues with clarity and courage. Her written work can be found in places like Beyond Type 1, Medium, and The Mighty.
Nubian Mermaid Adventures by Queen Keskessa
A fascinating, beautifully and colorfully illustrated, adventurous tale about Maka, a Nubian Mermaid.
The Pisces: A Novel by Melissa Broder
THE PISCES is a story about falling in obsessive love with a merman: a figure of Sirenic fantasy whose very existence pushes Lucy to question everything she thought she knew about love, lust, and meaning in the one life we have.
21st Century Mermaids
21st Century Mermaids is a new podcast dedicated to women and the ocean. Hosted by Danni Washington, each episode features a ‘mermaid’ who works in the ocean science and marine conservation fields. By sharing the stories of these modern day mermaids around the world, this podcast promotes ocean literacy and empathy, while championing access, agency, and equity for women and their allies in ocean conservation, leadership, and STEM fields.
The Black Mermaid Podcast
The Black Mermaid Podcast is a platform that addresss the mental health disparities that directly affect black women. This podcast discusses wellness and coping strategies that impact relationships, self-esteem, self-confidence and finances through transparent conversations with influential therapists, coaches/speakers, authors, and so much more.
The Mermaid Podcast
The Mermaid Podcast is a show with real mermaids, history and legends. Hosted by Laura von Holt, the Fairy Boss Mother of Cinderly. They interview professional mermaids, mermaid experts, mermaid authors, mermaid filmmakers, and mermaid entrepreneurs. They explore mermaid history and mythology, and learn what the mermaid life is all about.
Mermaids Have Always Been Black - NY Times
This New York Times article titled "Mermaids Have Always Been Black" is an opinion piece that addresses the uproar over Disney casting Halle Bailey as the Little Mermaid and how that backlash overlooks generations of Caribbean and African folklore.
‘The Little Mermaid’: A Milestone in Colorblind Casting, But Black Fairy Tales Need Representation Too - IndieWire
This article discusses the larger conversation about colorblind casting, and the possible adverse effects on the already-marginalized humanity, history, and creativity of historically underrepresented groups.
David Uzochukwu brings mythical Black merfolk to life - i-D VICE
This Vice piece is about photographer David Uzochukwu and how he manages to bring mythical Black merfolk to life in his work.
Zu. Dabbles In Amapiano On New Track 'Emini Nasebusuku', Featuring Hip-Naughtic Sean - OkayAfrica
This article from OkayAfrica is about South African afrosoul singer Zu. who has made a revolutionary turn with her new single 'Emini Nasebusuku'. This single comes ahead of her upcoming experimental EP Ndim Netshomi Zam.
*All information derived from personal/professional/organization websites as well as social media.*