Rowing has been a part of my life for many years. It is a sport that has profoundly changed my life. My wish is to share it with as many people as possible. Sadly, it is a predominantly white sport. I believe that everyone in our community should have the chance to participate in this life-changing sport, regardless of means. The goal of my rowing club is to have our membership better reflect the community where we row, Oakland, California.

 

As a way to help provide this access, I designed this logo to sell apparel that will help raise awareness of the inequity found in rowing. This logo represents the iconic oak tree of Oakland, the waterways surrounding the area, and the power of rowing as a community that fosters cooperation and camaraderie.

100% of the profits from the sale of apparel are used to provide learn-to-row classes targeting community members of color, support a scholarship program for continued rowing, fund the purchase of PFDs (personal flotation devices), provide transportation to and from school for Oakland's youth as well as swimming lessons.

The awareness that this logo raised helped East Bay Rowing Club be awarded the $20,000 Head of the Charles x Gold Cup Grant. This grant is only awarded to rowing programs that are working to serve under-resourced youth and communities through the U.S. and U.S. territories.