Closing the Gap in the Blue Economy
Black and Brown youth face compounding barriers to aquatic careers — while workforce shortages in the industry reach crisis levels. We bridge that gap.
The Problem
Across the United States, Black and Brown youth remain dramatically underrepresented in aquatic careers while facing disproportionately high drowning rates, limited access to water safety training, and systemic exclusion from the Blue Economy. Workforce shortages in lifeguarding, water safety instruction, scientific diving, and aquatic recreation are resulting in thousands of unfilled jobs annually.
These gaps are not due to a lack of talent — they are the direct result of systemic barriers: lack of access to certifications, high training costs, transportation inequities, and limited exposure to aquatic professions.
Our Solution
The Blue Futures Aquatic Project establishes a multi-state, employer-aligned workforce pipeline equipping 150 Black and Latino youth participants with paid career pathways, stackable certifications, STEM training, and direct job placement into high-growth aquatic professions.
By aligning community assets across Cleveland, Washington D.C., Indianapolis, Florida, and Nashville, we transform water access into economic access — creating job-ready young professionals positioned to lead the future of the Blue Economy.
Watch Our Story
See Blue Futures In Action
See how we’re transforming the lives of young people through aquatic training, certification, and career placement across the country.
Our Program Model
Three Workforce Pillars
Credentials → Employability
- American Red Cross Lifeguard & Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
- Scuba Open Water, Advanced, Divemaster, Instructor pathways
- AAUS-aligned scientific diving exposure
- CPR / First Aid, rescue response, aquatic facility training
Blue Economy Career Training
- Marine science, coral monitoring, data collection & environmental fieldwork
- Youth Diving with a Purpose (underwater archaeology)
- CARES — coral reef conservation and restoration research
- STEM skill-building in real-world aquatic environments
Employment & Career Placement
- Paid lifeguard roles, swim instruction, dive operations staffing
- Internship placement with research, conservation & aquatic employers
- Workforce coaching, resume development, and job placement support
- Professional mentoring in aquatic leadership roles
Who Can Apply
Opportunity Over Experience
No water background required. Selection is built around potential, not prior experience.
Recruitment prioritizes youth from high-need communities through referrals from:
- Schools and educational institutions
- Workforce development agencies
- Parks and recreation departments
- Community organizations and partner networks
Transportation, gear, training scholarships, wraparound support, and mentoring are all provided to eliminate barriers to participation.
A Career Launchpad, Not a Summer Program
Blue Futures transitions youth participants into young professionals with employable credentials, paid placements, and long-term career trajectories in aquatic industries, public safety, recreation, tourism, conservation, and science.
We’ve Reached
