7 Black Ocean Activists you Should Follow
Fresh out of a Master’s degree from St. Edward’s University, I was living in Costa Rica, eager to move to the coast and find a job working with ocean conservation and communications. But all the opportunities that came my way at the time were either unpaid internships or required some sort of marine science background. It was also very evident that many of the organizations in the ocean conservation field were predominately led and run by white males.
Feeling disappointed and overwhelmed with the lack of diversity and representation within the ocean conservation world, I decided to quit my job, move back to the US, and start my own company as an ocean storyteller to address that very problem.
In honor of Black History Month and because I’m passionate about encouraging and pushing for more diverse voices in ocean conservation, I’ve made a list of 7 Black ocean activists you should be following!
Nikita Shiel-Rolle- Photography by Addis Huyler Photography
DeMarcus Robinson- Founder of Behind the STEAHM, studying a PhD in Ocean Biogeochemistry on how microbes in the seafloor sediment affect chemical cycling in the ocean and sediment.
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson- Marine biologist, policy expert, writer, speaker, co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, and co-host of the How to Save a Planet podcast! She’s basically an ocean communications queen!
Danni Washington- TV personality, science communicator, and Ocean Explorer. This girl is paving the way for other young Black ocean lovers to get involved in STEM, Ocean Science, and Communications. She’s also the co-founder BigBlueandYou, an ocean organization dedicated to ocean awareness through arts and advocacy!
Nikita Shiel-Rolle- Conservation Biologist, oceanpreneur, Founder of Young Marine Explorers and Cat Island Marine Institute- an organization engaging young Bahamians in marine citizenship education, community building activities, and marine conservation projects. I met this ocean powerhouse in Brazil while I was co-facilitating a UNESCO Environmental Education young professionals conference.
OceanWomxn- An ocean organization dedicated to supporting Black women in earning postgraduate degrees in Oceanography at the University of Cape Town.
Minorities in Shark Sciences- Increasing diversity in shark sciences and marine biology. They also support women of color in the field through a network of women in shark science mentorship, career development, collaboration, and access to special events.
Black in Marine Scientists- A network of Black marine scientists amplifying Black voices in the field and encouraging younger generations to get involved in marine sciences, while also shedding light on the lack of diversity in marine science.
Know of other Black ocean scientists we should all be learning from and following? Share them in the comments below! 🤎🤿
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