Black History Invitational Swim Meet
History of the Black History Invitational Swim Meet
This unique event was co-founded in 1987 by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and
The United Black Fund, Inc. (UBF) in honor Black History Month. These two organizations have worked together every year since to produce the first swim meet in the nation to honor Black History Month.
The Invitational was founded with the goals of provided urban youth the experience of a national competition; create a positive outlet for self-expression; a forum of positive role models; and an opportunity for youth and their families to visit the nation's capital. Since the very first year, DPR and UBF are proud that the Black History Invitational Swim Meet has fulfilled those goals and has grown from a small, local competition to one now hailed by USA Swimming as the “premier minority swim competition in the United States and in the World.” The two-day annual event now attracts nearly 800 minority competitors, ages 5–18, from swim teams in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Cleveland, New York and other metropolitan areas in the United States.
Black History Invitational Swim Meet Honorees
Beginning in 1989, the Black History Invitational Swim Meet Steering Committee has chosen courageous and notable African Americans whose contributions are known throughout the world to be recognized during the weekend’s events.
Black History Invitational Swim Meet Honorees
|
1989 |
3rd |
Martin Luther King, Jr. |
|
1990 |
4th |
Martin Luther King, Jr. |
|
1991 |
5th |
Frederick Douglass |
|
1992 |
6th |
Sojourner Truth |
|
1993 |
7th |
Benjamin Banneker |
|
1994 |
8th |
Mary McLeod Bethune |
|
1995 |
9th |
George Washington Carver |
|
1996 |
10th |
Harriet Tubman |
|
1997 |
11th |
Booker T. Washington |
|
1998 |
12th |
Dr. Dorothy L. Height |
|
1999 |
13th |
Walter Washington |
|
2000 |
14th |
Eleanor Holmes Norton |
|
2001 |
15th |
Dr. Calvin Rolark |
|
2002 |
16th |
Dr. William H. Rumsey |
|
2003 |
17th |
Dan Knise and Clarence Bishop |
|
2004 |
18th |
Sharon Pratt |
|
2005 |
19th |
Chuck Hinton, Fred Lee Valentine, and Mamie |
|
2006 |
20th |
20th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet Committee |
|
2007 |
21st |
Jim Ellis and Frederick Evans, II |
|
|
22nd |
Bradford A. Tatum |
