Jose Jones and Ric Powell were two of the first Black people to become certified divers, but even with their experience and credentials, they still weren’t taken seriously in the diving space.
Many of us have stories where we’ve gone scuba diving in groups, and we’re the only Black person in the group. Not only that, oftentimes we’re not taken seriously, because of stereotypes that Black people can’t swim or dive.
Dr. Jose Jones is one Black diver who’s experienced this discomfort, and in 1991, he and Ric Powell launched the National Association of Black Scuba Divers. The NABS aims to bring more camaraderie among Black divers, as well as something very important.
Safety is one of the main focuses in the NABS, because if we can’t trust the people we dive with, or they don’t trust us, it could lead to a disaster underwater. And with barely 10 percent of divers being Black, Jones and many other supporters want to make a change in the diving industry.
Experiencing diving isn’t only a unique experience that can last a lifetime, but it’s also an activity that can help us build community and celebrate ourselves. The National Association of Black Scuba Divers is doing just that.