Reach Out
We'd Love to Hear From You
Whether you’re interested in joining a program, partnering with us, or simply want to learn more about our mission to preserve submerged heritage and expand ocean access for all communities — drop us a message below.
Nationwide Network
Regional Aquatic Project Chapters
Whether you’re interested in joining a program, partnering with us, or simply want to learn more about our mission to preserve submerged heritage and expand ocean access for all communities — drop us a message below.
Nashville, Tennessee
Tennessee Aquatic Project (TAP)
- kenneth.stewart@tennesseeaquaticproject.org
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga Aquatic Project (CAP)
- ramser.audreycap75@gmail.com
Cleveland, Ohio
SYATT Aquatic Project (SYATT)
- syattcle@syattcle.org
Indianapolis, Indiana
Seascope Aquatic Project (SAP)
- seascopeincindy@gmail.com
Washington, D.C.
Ocean Explorers Aquatic Project (OEAP)
- frankea2@outlook.com
Florida
Florida Aquatic Project (FLAP)
- kramer.wimberley@divingwithapurpose.org
San Diego, California
Our Genetic Legacy Aquatic Project (OGLAP)
- shellie@ourgeneticlegacy.org
Owensboro, Kentucky
Western Academy Aquatic Project (WAAP)
- olga@hlneblett.org
Our History
Diving with a Purpose started with a phone call from filmmaker Karuna Eberl in 2003. As the Southern Region Representative for the National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS), I helped her find Black divers to interview for her documentary about the slave ship Guerrero.
During the project, I met Brenda Lanzendorf, an archaeologist at Biscayne National Park who was passionate about documenting shipwrecks but needed help. I reached out to my NABS colleagues with the message: “Tired of the same old dives? Let’s dive with a purpose!” Erik Denson, Erly Thornton, Rod Singleton and I took an underwater archaeology course, and DWP was born.
Today, over 500 divers have completed the course and 46 have become instructors, including 16 young divers from Youth Diving With A Purpose, a youth organization I co-founded. Though Brenda Lanzendorf has passed away, her legacy continues through hundreds of African-American archaeology enthusiasts who now dive with a purpose.
Ken Stewart
DWP Founder and Program Director
