DPR Customer Service: (202) 673-7647
DPR Media Contacts:
John Stokes, (202) 288-7275, [email protected]
(Washington DC) - The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is excited to announce sponsorship opportunities for the 30th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet. The event will be held on February 12 - 14, 2016, at the Takoma Aquatic Center (300 Van Buren St., NW).
The Black History Invitational Swim Meet was founded with the goals of providing urban youth nationwide with a positive outlet for expression, exposure to strong competition, a forum to meet positive role models, and the opportunity to visit the nation's capital.
This unique event was co-founded in 1987 by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the United Black Fund, Inc. (UBF) in honor of Black History Month. These two organizations have worked together every year since to produce the first swim meet in the nation to celebrate this important month that highlights the contributions of African Americans to US society.
Since the very first year, DPR and UBF are proud that the Black History Invitational Swim Meet has fulfilled these goals and has grown from a small, local competition to one now hailed by USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming, as the "premier minority swim competition in the United States and in the World." The three-day annual event now attracts over 1,000 spectators and 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.
The Black History Invitational Swim Meet Steering Committee has chosen courageous and notable African Americans in history or in the field of swimming whose contributions are known throughout the world to be recognized during the weekend's events. In celebrating the 30th year, Head Coach Gary Peterson of the Detroit Recreation Swim Team (DRST), Head Coach Tommy Jackson of the City of Atlanta Dolphins Swim Team and Head Coach Lee Pitts, an internationally renowned swim instructor, will be honored for their commitment in increasing diversity in swimming and providing growth and profitability through effective training for all swim participants.
The Sponsorship Opportunities Include:
Platinum: $10,000
Advertisement in event program; the host table at the honoree’s event; sponsor logo on banner, event webpage and BHISM tee shirt; media coverage including radio, news and press release.
Gold:$6,000
Advertisement in event program; 4 seats at the honoree’s event; sponsor logo on banner and event webpage and BHISM tee shirt; press release.
Silver: $5,000
Advertisement in event program; 2 seats at the honoree’s event; sponsor logo on event webpage.
Bronze: $2,500
Advertisement in event program; sponsor logo on event webpage.
Advertising: $ 1,500
Advertisement in event program or banner to be posted at facility.
Volunteer Sponsors: 25 Volunteers per day
In-Kind commitment of 6-8 volunteers hours to assist in event coordination and timing during the races.
Media Sponsors:
In-kind commitment to support the event with promotional media coverage and/or supporting media content to display at the event (subject to approval).
For sponsorship information, please contact Nicole Sims at (202) 671-2314 or [email protected].
About DPR
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) provides quality urban recreation and leisure services for residents and visitors to the District of Columbia. DPR supervises and maintains area parks, community facilities, swimming pools and spray parks, and neighborhood recreation centers. The agency also coordinates a wide variety of recreation and educational programs including sports leagues, youth development, therapeutic recreation, aquatic programming, outdoor adventure, camping, and senior citizen activities. Adaptive programs and facilities are available for persons with disabilities.
For information on DPR events, facilities, programs & activities, be sure to follow DPR Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Join our Mailing List, Sign up for Text/Email Alerts, Register for a Program or visit the DPR Website.
