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For many, swimming evokes joyful memories — family outings at the lake, birthday celebrations by the pool, and carefree splashing with friends on hot summer days. However, for countless people in the Black community, it is often overshadowed by a painful history of discrimination and systemic barriers that blocked access to swimming pools and prevented generations from gaining the skills needed to feel safe and comfortable in the water.

Black Swims, a collaborative initiative between the Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion and , seeks to empower Black members of the university and Kingston communities by addressing this historical disparity and restoring the joy of swimming. 

“It’s a common ground,” says Tianna Edwards, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Coordinator at Yellow House. “No matter where we are coming from on the campus or in Kingston, we’re all coming to be in the water and be vulnerable. There’s a vulnerability to not being able to do something. To be an adult and to be so uncomfortable, for some folks, that takes down any sort of barrier because we’re all just trying to figure it out together.” 
 

Black Swims program

Launched in Fall 2024, Black Swims was established by Queen’s students to honour the memory of a member of the Black community in Kingston who tragically drowned at Gord Downie Pier in 2023. The program aims to address cultural and generational barriers, as well as the legacies of intentional harm, ensuring a meaningful tribute that fosters healing and connection within the community.

The program has since fostered a welcoming atmosphere, with Yellow House staff greeting and checking in participants, guidance from a staff of Black swimming instructors, and post-swim refreshments. Additional program touches enhance the sense of cultural affirmation among participants. Curated music playlists create an uplifting atmosphere, and private pool use during the lessons adds to feelings of security. Edwards also sourced and tested swim caps designed specifically for Black hair, many of which are now used by participants.

“All of it is about that sense of belonging and I think that is what allows folks to feel connected,” says Edwards, who also participates in the program and identifies with those who are hesitant or nervous around water.

Throughout the program, Edwards has witnessed swimmers transform from cautiously wading into the pool with floatation devices to eagerly jumping into the deep end and treading water with newfound confidence. She has also experienced personal growth, advancing from Adult 1 to Adult 2 level in the program, which offers a total of three skill levels. She has also served as an inspiration for others.

“What truly inspired me to participate in Black Swims this fall was witnessing the incredible impact of the program during its first semester,” says Rukevwe Inikori (BHSc’26). “I was particularly moved by Tianna's experience. Before Black Swims, I had deep apprehensions about getting into the water, ranging from fears of drowning to concerns about how the water might affect my hair. Seeing Tianna’s transformation – from being afraid of the water to confidently diving into the deep end without a life jacket – was nothing short of inspiring. And, on top of that, her hair remained as luscious as ever! It made me realize that there was hope for me, too. Maybe I didn’t need to be so afraid after all.” 

Since its launch, Black Swims has hosted more than a dozen sessions, each attended by 20-25 swimmers. The program welcomes all Black students, staff, and faculty at Queen’s, as well as members of the Kingston Black community. Lessons are free for students, while others can participate for a small fee. As the academic year nears its end, Black Swims has concluded. However, the program is expected to resume in the fall.

“Knowing that those systemic issues are still in place and have created a lack of ability to just show up at a pool, we wanted to make sure that we could create more of a welcoming environment, where people could see people who look like them and then will want to come back and feel like they’re being taught by people who understand their histories and the complexities that are there,” says Isabelle Gibney, Coordinator, Aquatics. “Having Black instructors teach them was also a very important aspect of getting people to come back and enjoy the program.” 
 

The history of Black swimmers

The history of is defined not by a lack of ability, but by a lack of access due to systemic barriers. In North America, citizens of African descent have faced as a result of discriminatory policies and blatant acts of racism. 

For instance, in 1923, the Edmonton City Council enacted a law that barred Black swimmers from city-run pools—a practice that mirrored widespread laws in the United States that restricted Black access to certain facilities. Rather than enjoying well-maintained and safe swimming areas, Black swimmers were relegated to areas that were in poor condition and often dangerous. These unjust laws were based on the erroneous notion that Black individuals could contaminate pools. Consequently, generations of people have been dissuaded from swimming due to negative past experiences, limited opportunities for lessons, and fears of harm.

The Black Swims program embodies the spirit of Queen’s Black Histories and Futures Month (BHFM), observed each February but celebrated throughout the year. Black Swims – just as Black Histories and Futures Month – acknowledges previous fears and harms while encouraging new avenues for joy, personal and community achievement, and forward momentum. Learn more about past and ongoing BHFM initiatives.

Inset image 1: Participants gather in the ARC pool for the Black Swims program. (Photo provided by Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion)

Inset image 2: Black Swims participant Daria Juudi-Hope. (Photo provided by Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion)