Greetings, During the June 2023, DWP archaeology training session in Key Largo, Fl DWP had the opportunity to train our first paraplegic scuba diver. Read below in his own words, Chris Powell out of Dallas ,Texas.

I was injured in an auto accident that resulted in me being a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair. I took up diving 9 years later and its been one of the focal points of my mental, physical and social rehabilitation.

As a diver with physical challenges, I’ve developed adaptive skills, techniques and equipment to facilitate the processes. To enter the water, I position myself at the edge of the swim platform, put on my gear and slide off the boat into the water. I use hand/swim paddles and breaststroke to propel myself through the water. I use retractors to hold and retain accessories (flashlight, camera, gauges) to facilitate easy on-demand use and retraction when not in use. To get back into the boat, I remove my gear in the water and pull myself back onto the boat, usually with minimum assistance.

DWP’s commitment to conservation, underwater archology, and its partnership with NOAA has always piqued my interest, so the decision to attend this year’s session was a dream fulfilled. We worked alongside NOAA to survey and map a ship believed to have sunk in the 1890’s. I learned how to gather, survey, draw and convert our findings to scale for further review and study. Lastly, I want to recognize the DWP and NOAA Staffs for accommodating my process and allowing me to become a member of the DWP family.

On August 28, 2021, DWP dedicated a memorial to the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII to memorialize five pilots who perished in accidents in the Port Huron, Michigan area.

During the middle years of World War II, Michigan served as an advanced training ground for many graduates of the famous all-African-American Tuskegee pilot training program. The aircrafts of these pilots went down while they were training.

The P-39 Airacobra aircraft wreckage of two crafts was discovered in the area. One wreck was located in Lake Huron and the other in St. Clair River. The St. Clair River wreck was flown by Flight Officer Nathaniel P. Rayburg. The Lake Huron wreck, flown by 2nd Lt. Frank H. Moody, was discovered on April 11, 2014, seventy years to the day of the accident. Both pilots perished in the accidents.

The three-day event featured guest lectures, panel discussions, exhibits and a luncheon. The Flag Plaza along the beautiful St. Clair River in Port Huron is the designated site for the memorial.

Click here to watch a short video of the event.

DWP supported the event, along with the City of Port Huron, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, the Blue Water Chamber of Commerce, the Alabama Tourism Department of the State of Alabama,  the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries-Thunder Bay, the DTE Foundation and the Community Fund, among others.

(Pics 1,5 Harold Powell/The Keel; Pics 2-4 – Bryce Airgood/Times Herald)

DWP had an opportunity to host actor Samuel L. Jackson at the History of Diving Museum in June. Sam is one of the producers and narrators of the 6-part documentary series entitled “Enslaved.” DWP plays a small part in this exciting series.

We gave Sam a tour of the the Diving With A Purpose exhibit. Dr. Albert Jose Jones shared the history of the Under Water Adventure Seekers (UAS) Dive Club and the National Association Of Black Scuba Divers (NABS). And lead instructor Erik Denson told the story of DWP’s efforts to place a memorial in Port Huron, Michigan honoring the Tuskegee Airmen. (See below.)

The following day, Sam joined us aboard our dive boat. We visited the Grecian Rock, or “The Banana Patch,” the reef that Diving With A Purpose has unofficially adopted. We have out-planted more staghorn coral on Grecian Rock than any other reef in our 7-year history of partnering with the Coral Restoration Foundation. We talked to Sam about the dangers that coral reefs face today and shared our attempts to help save and monitor them.

Stay tuned!

We will post air dates for the Enslaved documentary, which will be produced and narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and showcase DWP, when available.

• On June 2nd, 2019, DWP was honored with a 6-month exhibit at The History of Diving Museum to showcase the organization’s 15-year history of documenting marine resources around the world. The exhibit emphasized DWP’s work to better understand the cultural and historical significance and stories behind shipwrecks and other submerged resources that are relevant to African Americans. The underwater sites on display in the Museum ranged from sailing vessels to slave ships.  It also told the story of the search for the Guerrero slave ship to our present-day mission to memorialize the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII who died in service to this country. On opening night, more than 50 people showed up to pay homage to our work and witness the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

• The exhibit was on display through December 31, 2019 with an abundance of events and special presentations and was designed to become a traveling exhibit that can be offered to other Museums and non-profits.