Our Program
Shaping the Future of Aquatic Leadership
The Blue Futures Aquatic Project cultivates exceptional talent across swimming, scuba diving, maritime archaeology, and water safety education. Each fellow represents years of commitment, remarkable achievement, and a deep connection to DWP’s mission of preserving submerged heritage and expanding access to the water for all communities.
Meet the Fellows
Profiles in Excellence
Sabrina Williams
Aquatic Director, Nashville Parks & Recreation
During her time at Pearl Cohn High School, Sabrina was a gifted swimmer who found her true calling in long-distance running — becoming Nashville’s Public School cross-country champion for four consecutive years.
Sabrina participated in the Tennessee Aquatic Project (TAP) for five years, becoming the first female Master Scuba Diver in the organization’s history. She was a participant in the inaugural DWP Maritime Archaeology Program session in 2003 and, alongside Kwadjo Tillman, became one of the youngest divers to witness the monument of the Henrietta Marie — the first slave ship excavated in the Western Hemisphere.
After earning her degree from Vol State Community College, she now serves as the Aquatic Director at Hadley Park Community Center.
Sabrina's story is a testament to her dedication and epitomizes what the Blue Futures Aquatic Project is all about.
Certifications & Achievements
Master Scuba Diver, Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, Water Safety Instructor Trainer, Cross-Country Champion
Greg Hood
DWP Instructor & PADI Master Scuba Diver Instructor
Greg joined YDWP (Youth Diving With A Purpose) at the age of 14 and has participated every year for the past eight years. A member of Syatt (See You At The Top) based in Cleveland, Ohio, Greg has consistently pushed toward new goals in diving and maritime education.
After his junior year at The Ohio State University, he took a gap year to move to Honduras to complete training as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Instructor. He serves as a DWP Instructor and DWP CARES instructor, and this summer will lead open-water scuba classes and take youth to dive Lake Erie to explore shipwrecks and invasive species monitoring.
Greg plans to return to Ohio State to complete his final year with a broader view of the career and entrepreneurial opportunities ahead.
Greg Hood truly epitomizes the mission and values of Blue Futures Aquatic Project.
Certifications & Achievements
PADI Master Scuba Diver Instructor, DWP Instructor, DWP CARES Instructor, Red Cross Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor
Naima Dortch
Naima is a dedicated member of the Africatown Swim to Scuba program and is recognized as an honorary member of both the Tennessee Aquatic Project and the Blue Futures Aquatic Project.
In addition to being a PADI Master Scuba Diver, Naima holds certifications as a lifeguard and water safety instructor — reflecting her deep commitment to aquatic safety and expertise in the field.
Naima plans to attend college this fall, majoring in economics, and intends to remain active with the Blue Futures Aquatic Project while working toward her PADI Divemaster certification.
Certifications & Achievements
PADI Master Scuba Diver, Certified Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, Divemaster (In Progress), TAP Honorary Member
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
