Diversity in Aquatics’ World Oceans Day event on Grand Anse Beach in Grenada.

A young swimmer at the World Oceans Day event by Diversity in Aquatics in Grenada.

Groundbreaking Program Reaches 150+ Youths as Organization Expands Life-Saving Mission from US to Caribbean

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, June 20, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — In a powerful demonstration of community-driven impact, Diversity in Aquatics (DIA) successfully launched its most enterprising international water safety initiative to date, imprinting water safety education on over 150 local children on the island of Grenada, while addressing the critical global crisis of drowning disparities affecting communities of color.

The historic World Oceans Day-timed program at Grand Anse Beach represented more than a single day of programming—it marked a pivotal moment in DIA’s expanding mission to eliminate racial and socioeconomic disparities in water safety education in the United States and across the African Diaspora.

“This is about more than sun and surf—it’s about empowering Grenadian youth with skills that save lives and build community,” said Dr. Miriam Lynch, Executive Director of Diversity In Aquatics. “Though having a close proximity to water, what we have realized is a lot of communities have a disconnect. In Grenada, a significant percentage of the island’s population does not know how to swim. For us, it was really important to bridge that gap to support the mission of teaching water safety while making a connection to the opportunities in aquatics with no borders.”

The comprehensive event featured ocean swim lessons, the island’s largest youth swim meet of the year, water safety workshops, CPR training, snorkeling and sailing coaching.

The organization’s latest initiative comes at a critical moment for water safety advocacy. Each year, approximately 4,000 people in the U.S. die from unintentional drowning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—with Black, Indigenous, and low-income communities disproportionately affected. After decades of decline, drowning rates began rising again following the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic, widening racial and ethnic disparities nationally.

Globally, the crisis is just as alarming. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 300,000 people drown annually, with children among the most at risk.

The urgency to address this issue has only increased following the Trump administration’s recent decision to disband the CDC’s drowning prevention team, leaving a gap in federal research and support. Community-based organizations like DIA have become critical to filling that gap. Its culturally grounded approach offers a proven, community-centered model for change.

“We’re not just teaching swimming skills—we’re rebuilding generational relationships with water,” said Dr. Lynch.

INNOVATIVE, TRAUMA INFORMED APPROACH SETS NEW STANDARD
What distinguishes DIA’s work is its recognition of the historical trauma surrounding water in communities of color. The Grenada event featured a powerful session led by Dr. Fran Jackson of Spelman College, exploring the lasting impact of the transatlantic slave trade. The discussion touched on cultural disconnection, shifts in family dynamics, and the deep trauma connected to water, especially comparing experiences in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Following that, Thaddeus Gamory, founder of BlueMindfulness, took participants through a trauma-informed session of breathwork and ocean-based healing exercises inspired by ancestral water traditions. Designed for BIPOC communities, the session aimed to help people reconnect with water and begin releasing generational fears tied to that legacy.

This trauma-informed methodology, combined with practical CPR training, swim instruction and community engagement, created what local partners described as “a reclaiming of our relationship with the ocean.”

“There is so much potential for long-term impact and a seismic change in aquatics,“ said Gamory. “Everything starts with learning to swim and being safe in the water. We’re already contributing to it and the potential for it to grow is substantial – as a matter of fact, it’s already in motion.”

SCALING IMPACT THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Diversity in Aquatics has partnered with several organizations to raise awareness and expand equitable access to aquatics, working to eliminate disparities in drowning. In collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones, the organization advances water safety education in historically underserved communities, breaking down systemic barriers and creating pathways for lifelong aquatic engagement.

DIA’s recent success in Grenada builds on a robust network of institutional partnerships that are reshaping aquatic education across the United States and beyond. HBCUs, too, are driving nationwide change in the water safety arena with national partnership launches including:
-$1 million, 10-year USA Swimming partnership funding programs at Cheyney University, Norfolk State, Texas Southern and other HBCUs, reaching over 2,000 students
-Howard University water polo team relaunch in 2024, supported by DIA and USA Water Polo
-Historic American Red Cross partnership establishing the first Instructor Trainer Academy at an HBCU (Bowie State University), expanding certified -instructor pipelines in underserved communities
-Annual HBCU Water Safety Festival convening students, alumni and experts for workshops and community engagement

MEASURABLE IMPACT AND FUTURE EXPANSION
The organization’s data-driven approach demonstrates tangible results:
-Over 2,000 HBCU students reached through swimming programs
-150+ youth served in 4-hour, single-day Grenada event
-Expanding Caribbean presence through local partnerships

“The most rewarding part is community and collaboration,” said Dr. Lynch. “To see people and organizations come together to give back to the youth, seeing the happy faces and proud parents has been the most rewarding for all of us.”

LOOKING AHEAD: A MOVEMENT BEYOND BORDERS
As DIA expands its reach across the Caribbean and strengthens its U.S. institutional partnerships, the organization is positioning itself as a global leader in culturally-responsive water safety education. Its success in Grenada serves as a blueprint for future international expansion while deepening impact in historically underserved communities. The organization’s holistic approach—combining practical skills training, trauma-informed healing, community partnerships, and institutional change—offers a replicable model for addressing water safety disparities worldwide.

“The tides are turning,” Dr. Lynch concluded. “Through education, community, and culturally rooted care, we’re ensuring that water isn’t a barrier—it’s a bridge to empowerment, health, and generational healing.”

About Diversity in Aquatics:
Diversity in Aquatics is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization committed to promoting equitable access, education, and leadership in aquatic spaces. From grassroots swim lessons to institutional partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and national organizations, DIA works to eliminate racial and socioeconomic disparities in water safety, ensuring that all communities can safely and confidently experience the power of water.

Jordan Cross
Mel&N Media
jordan@melandnmedia.com

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Fox in the US has bought streaming platform Caliente TV

Fox in the US has acquired Mexican sports-skewing channel and streaming platform Caliente TV, and appointed veteran executive Carlos Martinez to oversee the company’s broadcast strategy in Latin America.

In his new role as executive VP and MD, Latin America, Martinez will oversee the transition as Fox takes over Caliente and prepares to launch the service in Central America.

He has previously held executive roles at companies such as Turner Broadcasting System, Discovery and Fox.

His remit includes leading operations of the new Fox channels and platforms in Mexico and Central America, which are expected to employ more than 350 people.

Fox said the deal, financial details of which have not been disclosed, expands its sports broadcasting footprint in Mexico.

The company plans to develop a multi-platform business that will include the launch of a new pay TV channel and an SVoD platform, enabling it to produce and distribute around 3,000 hours of original sports content.

The deal also sees Fox take over Caliente’s lucrative portfolio of premium sports rights, which includes coverage of the English Premier League and FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League and France’s Ligue 1.

Fox is looking to bolster its digital sports content offering as streaming platforms continue to muscle in on the hotly contested sector. In the US in particular, streaming is becoming the favoured way to consume content. Earlier this week, a report from Nielson revealed that streaming has outpaced the combined share of broadcast and cable TV viewing for the first time in the US.

Fox plans to launch direct-to-consumer streaming platform Fox One later this year and already owns AVoD offering Tubi.

Martinez said: “Fox’s investment to acquire Caliente TV reflects our commitment to building a leading sports streaming business in Mexico with massive audience reach, a robust sports rights portfolio and an impressive roster of exclusive sports leagues and talent.”

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech Athletics announced its spring academic accomplishments Friday, which was highlighted by the highest spring semester GPA on record and the second-highest term GPA in history.

Texas Tech recorded a 3.38 term GPA among its more than 400 student-athletes this spring, which narrowly trailed the department overall record of 3.39 that was only this past fall. The successful semester raised the department’s cumulative GPA to 3.41, which is the highest on record, breaking the previous mark of 3.40 that was also set this past fall.

This is the 21st-consecutive semester Texas Tech’s student-athletes have boasted at least a 3.0 department GPA, continuing its trend of academic success. In total, 12 of 13 athletic teams finished with a spring term and cumulative GPA over 3.0 with three of those programs – women’s track and field, football and women’s basketball – recording the highest spring semester GPA on record. For the women’s track and field program, it was the highest term GPA on record, regardless of semester.

The Texas Tech men’s tennis team led the department with a 3.75 spring GPA followed by women’s golf (3.73), soccer (3.70), women’s tennis (3.57), volleyball (3.48), women’s track and field (3.46), men’s golf (3.46) and women’s basketball (3.37). The Texas Tech softball program, amid its eventual run to the championship series of the Women’s College World Series, notched a 3.33 term GPA and was one of eight programs with at least a 3.40 cumulative GPA.

Texas Tech had three teams – women’s track and field, men’s tennis and women’s basketball – post the highest spring cumulative GPA on record. The soccer program continues to boast the department’s highest cumulative GPA at 3.76 followed by women’s golf (3.70), men’s tennis (3.61), women’s tennis (3.59), women’s track and field (3.51) and men’s golf (3.49), volleyball (3.45) and softball (3.40).

In total, Texas Tech had 93 student-athletes – 25 percent of the population – record a perfect 4.0 GPA, its highest percentage on record for any term. Texas Tech also had 82 percent of its student-athletes – 309 in total – finish with at least a 3.0 term GPA, which, again, was the highest percentage on record. The list of accomplishments also featured 63 student-athletes on the President’s List and 92 student-athletes recognized on the Dean’s List.

Texas Tech capped the semester with 49 of its student-athletes across 12 sports earning their degrees. Among the new Texas Tech graduates, the group combined for an impressive 3.45 cumulative GPA. A full list of graduates is located below.

Texas Tech student-athletes have a dedicated staff at the Marsha Sharp Center who guide each student-athlete to success from the time of enrollment to graduation. The Marsha Sharp Center provides space for private study, computer labs, supplemental instruction classrooms and private conferencing areas for tutoring and mentoring appointments.

Note: For reporting purposes, the sport of track and field was combined into two teams based on gender, using rosters from indoor, outdoor and cross country seasons.

TEXAS TECH SPRING GRADUATES

Baseball – Carson Baugh, Austin Green, Drew Woodcox

Football – Chief Collins, Gage Elder, Charles Esters III, Jackson Knotts, Jurrien Loftin, Behren Morton, Sterling Porcher, Charles Robinson, Caleb Rodkey, Cam’Ron Valdez

Men’s Basketball – Chance McMillian

Men’s Golf – Matthew Comegys, Baard Skogen

Men’s Tennis – Takeyasu Sekiguchi, Tyler Stewart

Men’s Track & Field – Tyler Stewart, Samuel Bennett, Garison Breeding, Stacy Brown Jr., Omamuyovwi Erhire, Demitrius Guerrero, Cole Omlin, Sincere Rhea, Oscar Rodriguez, Liam Walsh

Soccer – Faith Nguyen, Cassie Taylor

Softball – Erna Carlin

Volleyball – Emily Merrick

Women’s Basketball – Jordyn Merritt, Denae Fritz

Women’s Golf – Libby Fleming, Kylee Loewe, Chelsea Romas

Women’s Track & Field – Nakacee McNab, Destiny Smith, Fanny Arendt, Olivia Cade, Alyssa Colbert, McKenzie Davis, Victoria Gorlova, Alexis Ivy, Melanie Jacobs, Madeline McElroy, Edna Rotich, Sarah Zdansky

Gold Rush won the Spring 2025 6th-8th Grade CBRC Co-ed Volleyball Spike City Conference championship. Team members include (from left): First row–Gracie Husted, Gage Stephens, Gavin Stephens, Hayden Stephens. Second row–Coach Greg Conrad, Hendrix Bacon, Evy Bunk, Itzabella Cosme, Sydney Dalton, Matthew Eckenrode, coach Cory Geishauser.

Purple Invasion won the Spring 2025 6th-8th Grade CBRC Co-ed Volleyball Net Wars Conference championship. Team members include (from left): First row–Mileah Reighard, Jackie Robertson, Josie Dumm, Logan Settle, coach Cory Geishauser. Second row–Coach Greg Conrad, Elena Baughman, Sydney Burns, Kaley Misiura, Leah Musselman, Jayden Pooley, coach Andrea Lascoli.

Courtesy photos