Let's Do Better X Everest Isles Tee

According to USA Swimming, roughly 64 percent of African-Americans do not know how to swim. We partnered with Lets Do Better to look at the history of swimming in this country and discovered that systemic racism/oppression is at the root of the general apprehension and unfamiliarity Black people have towards swimming and pools in general, resulting in intergenerational trauma and a lack access for decades.

The New “Learn to Swim Campaign” Tee We re-created a popular 1940 poster from the WPA’s (Works Progress Administration) ”Learn to Swim Campaign’ promoting “all” to learn how to swim. The nationally distributed graphic depicts the literal racial separation that existed at many of the municipal pools in American cities at that time. We decided to update the image by integrating the once segregated group of swimmers present in original poster. A portion of the proceeds will be used to buy swimming lessons for underprivileged Black youth at Bedstuy’s YMCA this Summer.