As a gamechanger in the Greater New York Area, Paulana works with Black People Will Swim to smash the stereotype that Black people don’t swim.

The Long Island swim instructor began Black People Will Swim in 2019 and enrolled 80 participants for six-week summer classes.

Fed up with racial disparities in swimming participation, the Black People Will Swim founder set out to improve the statistics.

The city canceled free swim lessons and private swim programs are feeling the squeeze from a lack of lifeguards.

A personal narrative about returning to the pool and reclaiming the water.