JAMAICA, NY — (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) Paulana Lamonier ’14, who competed in the pool for the York College women’s swimming team from 2009-13 as a journalism and english major, is the founder and CEO of Black People Will Swim, a purpose-driven organization working to smash the stereotype that Black people don’t swim.  She nurtured her love for swimming and became inspired to teach others how to conquer their fear of water. For over a decade, she has shared her passion for swimming by working with swim clubs, teams, and gyms to build a community with her students.  Her determination to help beginner swimmers go from fearful to fearless continues to gain national attention as she was recently profiled in PEOPLE Magazine and Sports Illustrated.

On July 22, Danielle Bryant featured Lamonier in Elle-evate: 100 Influential Black Women In Sports, as Sports Illustrated and Empower Onyx are putting the spotlight on the diverse journeys of Black women across sports—from the veteran athletes, to up-and-coming stars, coaches, executives and more. The 100 Influential Black Women in Sports series aims to foster an environment where Black women can share their inspirational stories and impact on the communities they serve as a way to encourage and enlighten the next generation of leaders in sports and beyond.  Learn more about Lamonier in the article titled ‘Paulana Lamonier Is Smashing the Stereotype That Black People Don’t Swim’ by Bryant.

Jeff Truesdell further amplified Lamonier’s impact in a recent feature in People Magazine titled ‘Coach Paulana Lamonier Wants More Black People to Learn to Swim: ‘We’re Here to Smash the Stereotypes’ (read more) on July 27.

Learn more about Black People Will Swim by visiting blackpeoplewillswim.com. 

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Courtesy of York Sports Information