ML - I love how you’ve described it and I love what you’re doing in the space. Tell me about #DiversifytheLineup.
GIGI - #DiversifytheLineup is SurfearNEGRA’s tagline. (www.SurfearNegra.com)
SurfearNEGRA is a nonprofit organization I founded in 2016 to encourage, educate and engage more women and girls of color in the sport of surfing. Our 3 pillars are:
-Strategic Partnerships (we partner with existing organizations interested in incorporating diversity initiatives into their programming and/or product)
-Surf Camp Scholarships (we are fundraising to offset the cost to send 100 girls of color to surf camp in 2019)
-¡NEGRITAS! Gathering (we host an annual retreat to bring together influencers in the surf industry to develop strategies to amplify gender & cultural diversity in the sport)
And this year, SurfearNegra just launched the ¡100 Girls! Fundraising campaign (https://ifundwomen.com/projects/diversify-lineup); a full force diversity initiative in collaboration with local surf camps around the country. Together with the support of our backers, we will be able to subsidize the cost for 100 girls of color to attend camp in 2019. Donations received will directly connect these girls to established surf camps in our
network so that they can
build their confidence on
the board and life-
long
friendships.
in the
lineup.
The ¡100 Girls! Campaign looks to impact the next generation of surfers and is only 30 days long. In order to be effective, we will need the equivalent of 100 sponsors to donate $25/month for 1 year (or a 1-time $300 donation).
The impact this campaign will have on the lives of the girls who participate and the on sport in general is exciting. To take something you love, that has made a real difference in your life, and share it with others in such a meaningful and impactful way is a gift.
Gigi is inspiring others every day with surfing and the work she is doing to promote diversity in a sport that is lacking; breaking stereotypes and being a role model herself. We applaud her for working to #DiversifytheLineup. On land, diversity is in fashion whether you like the trend or not, with Gigi’s help, the sea is following this trend, one new surfer girl of color at a time.
Detailed information on the campaign can be found at https://ifundwomen.com/projects/diversify-lineup
Photo credit Alfred Gainer