12/18/2024
“When I was younger, I almost drowned in our childhood pool. I was leaning over the edge, fell in, and my brother went in after me. That’s why I’m here today.
I was fearful for a bit after that. But my neighbors swam every day, and I learned to become a strong swimmer at their house.
When it came to my peers and Black culture around swimming, I noticed things like generational barriers and that a lot of Black women don’t want get their hair wet.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was buying pool inflatables online, and I realized I didn’t really see myself. I started looking for Black-owned pool inflatable companies and I didn’t find any. I thought to myself, ‘Oh, people think we can’t swim.’ I wanted to change that narrative.
I launched Alma Ocean, my line of pool inflatables with a Kente African pattern. I knew I also needed to help my community. That’s when I launched Alma Swim Foundation, merged the two, and now, I have a non-profit.
We raise funds to help cover costs of swim lessons, which are open to any and everybody who just wants to learn. We also organize cool water safety and educational events like block parties, and partner with organizations to secure swim scholarships.
I became a certified lifeguard and am advocating for others to do the same. I’m so glad I did it, because now I’m AED and CPR certified. It was intense, but I learned so much. Now, I’m prepared to save someone’s life.
When I think back to my childhood and that I survived, I knew right away that this was my calling. My vision is to echo — to become louder and bigger through other people's voices.
I want to encourage, particularly the Black community, to rethink their relationship to the water and know they can actually learn this skill."
Danielle Hodge's personal experience shaped her into the advocate for diversity in aquatics that she is today, one who is breaking down barriers to educate her community and beyond. We're grateful to her for sharing her story, and we hope her compassion and drive inspires you to learn lifesaving skills this holiday season.
