This #BlackHistoryMonth we are celebrating our activists, friends, colleagues and like-minded organizations from within the Surfrider network. Throughout the month we will recognize those who inspire us and celebrate the achievements they've made to help protect our ocean, waves and beaches, while supporting beach access for all.
This short film above, titled “On The Side Of Right,” features waterwoman, surfer, and founder of SurfearNEGRA, GiGi Lucas, and the historical efforts to desegregate the beaches of St. Augustine, Florida during the civil rights movement—accompanied by a moving and iconic speech from Martin Luther King Jr.
Activist Spotlight: GiGi Lucas, Founder and Executive Director at SurfearNEGRA
GiGi Lucas is a lover of gently peeling waves, a diversity advocate, and also the founder of SurfearNEGRA, a non profit organization focused on bringing more gender & cultural diversity to the sport of surfing. Click here to read GiGi's full activist spotlight
Activist Spotlight: Briana Bard with the Los Angeles Chapter
“I’ve always been drawn to the ocean and outdoor recreation but my upbringing has told me that’s not where I belong. The marketing tells me it’s not where I belong. The price point tells me it’s not where I belong. I had to decide what parts of that are true. I don’t want to spoil anyone’s journey but none of that is true. These are common psychological and physical barriers that prevent people that are perceived as different from taking part.” Click here to read Briana's full activist spotlight
Activist Spotlight: Christopher Warren with the Outer Banks Chapter
Being a Black American raised in a very diverse community in Silver Spring, MD, right outside of Washington D.C., my friends and I were influenced by our parents and teachers to take action on what inspires us. Living in large populated cities, I never thought to be involved with an organization like the Surfrider Foundation because I wasn’t educated about it or exposed to the network or similar networks in my communities. Traveling throughout the United States, worldwide, and volunteering with international communities gave me a different perspective on what and how I wanted to get involved as an activist. Click here to read Christopher's full activist spotlight
Activist Spotlight: Ryan Harris, Founder and Shaper at Earth Tech Surfboards
I've got a simple phrase, the golden rule applies to our planet too. Treat people the way you want to be treated. You wouldn't just toss trash on somebody else's lawn, why would you do it in the ocean? We want to leave this place better than we came into it, better for our kids, for our kids' kids and their kids. It's all connected. And honestly, if we didn't have waves in the ocean, we wouldn't have a sport. You read about climate change and rising sea levels and how that impacts surf breaks and we know all these things and now it's so important that we start taking action to protect this planet. Click here to read Ryan's full activist spotlight