By Jeffrey Grable
On Friday, Aug. 13, in Menlo Park, Belle Haven Action hosted Prince Dean, founder of Nubian Sharks. The youth-centered swim and aquatics program, Nubian Sharks, is a San Francisco-based organization. They promote water safety, health equity and cultural pride through accessible swim instructions and aquatic wellness for Black youth and families. The programs address the critical gap in swim access and water confidence for our community.
Nubian Sharks swim workshop with Belle Haven Action was from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., starting with Dean giving participants safety instructions and the type of exercises that would be performed in one of the two Olympic-style swimming pools. There were also lifeguards present. During the pool exercises, everyone was engaged, relaxed, and asking questions about specific exercises being performed.
A healthy mission
Dean was inspired to serve his community because he saw the lack of available resources, transportation, and basic fundamental needs in his home, school, and neighborhood. Dean was adamant that he was affected as a youth by seeing the deteriorating health of his grandmother.
He believes many illnesses in the African American community can be avoided with proper treatment. Dean painted a vivid picture of life as a child, wondering why his once strong and healthy grandmother, who was a nurse, was now dealing with diabetes, high blood pressure, and a decrease in quality of life.
Dean discovered the mental, social, and health benefits of swim therapy and knew this was something his community needed. He explained, “Black youth are 5.5 times more likely to drown than their white peers. This disparity is rooted in historical segregation, lack of access, and intergenerational fear.”
Results and future endeavors
Taking these issues to task, his organization has trained over 100 youth in swim fundamentals, hosted family swim days and aquatic workshops, and mentored future lifeguards and aquatic leaders while partnering with local wellness, education, and arts organizations.
His 2025 goals include funding three youth employment roles, launching a weekly swim program, and wellness classes at the MLK pool in San Francisco. He also wants to expand to include kayaking and lifeguard training and provide free swim gear and transportation to 50-plus youth.
A trusted partnership
Prince was invited by Honorable Cecilia Taylor, Belle Haven Action CEO and Menlo Park Councilwoman, to the Belle Haven Community Campus, where the event took place. The Belle Haven Community Campus is a new community facility that hosts a variety of fun, educational, wellness, and other activities for children, adults, and our elders.
The campus is equipped with a library and computer access, a fitness area with treadmills, weight machines, and an assortment of equipment. There are also meeting rooms, pottery, and an arts room with a deck on the second floor. The main floor has a children’s library, a pool table, and a state-of-the-art kitchen with a large event-sized dining area that can be reserved for private events. There’s also a full-court gym with retractable volleyball nets for all to enjoy.
It was perfect for the Nubian Sharks swim workshop for Belle Haven Action.
Until the next swim
Towards the end, Dean instructed the participants to stretch as part of the cool-down routine. Healthy snacks, grapes, and water were available. Everyone left rejuvenated, energized, and looking forward to the next event.
When asked, “What is one of your dreams for the Nubian Sharks?” Dean answered, “I want to see one of the Sharks make it to the Olympics.” Dean wants to make a difference and give someone a better chance, a better way than what he and his grandmother had.
Jeffrey Grable is a business management major at San Mateo County Community College. He is a military veteran. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, tailgating, and smoking BBQ ribs and chicken. He is our newest intern as part of our Belle Haven Action and San Francisco Bay View Newspaper internship partnership launched last spring. He can be contacted at jbiznetwork25@gmail.com.
