About ALATIOMI | Building a Community of Black Freedivers

A woman wearing a wetsuit and a hat smiles for the camera.

PHATHOM

DONALD

Founder, AIDA3 Advanced Freediver

When I first discovered freediving, I didn’t even know how to swim and was straight-up terrified of deep water. But something changed during my first time snorkeling in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Immersed in the ocean for the first time, I was captivated by its beauty and stillness. My initial fear was immediately replaced by a deep, magnetic pull to explore further. That experience transformed me, awakening a passion I never expected and setting me on a path to becoming an AIDA-certified freediver so I could explore the ocean on my own terms, safely.

When I started training (after taking adult swimming classes) and traveling to different dive sites, I quickly noticed the absence of other Black faces in the water. Meanwhile, back home at the aquatic centers in Prince George's County, I'm surrounded by Black people who clearly love the water. It made me wonder, “Where are all the Black freedivers?”

Freediving has taught me to embrace stillness, tune into my body, and find calm in the depths—lessons that have been especially meaningful as someone who has struggled with social anxiety. The water has become a sanctuary, allowing me to quiet my mind and reconnect with myself. Each dive is a journey inward, a space where I find freedom that radiates into every corner of my life.

I want that feeling—that empowerment—for others. My community deserves to experience the freedom, peace, and strength that freediving brings. ALATIOMI was born from that vision, driven by a desire to bring our community into spaces where we haven’t always been seen.

My mission is to open the door for other Black freedivers, to create an inclusive space where anyone can explore, connect with nature, and discover the water's transformative power—just as I did.

MISSION

ALATIOMI Freediving is dedicated to introducing and promoting freediving within the Black community, starting in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Our mission is to build a strong, inclusive community of freedivers by offering accessible training, fostering environmental awareness, and creating pathways for personal growth. We aim to empower individuals to explore the underwater world, connect with nature, and gain confidence through the practice of freediving, while increasing representation and diversity in aquatic sports.

vision

Our vision is to create a thriving community where freediving is a recognized and accessible practice for people of color. By providing the training, resources, and opportunities needed, we aim to increase the visibility of Black freedivers and inspire a new generation of aquatic enthusiasts. ALATIOMI envisions a future where freediving is both a pathway to personal growth and a platform for advancing environmental stewardship within underrepresented communities.

WHAT IS FREEDIVING?

A woman in a black wetsuit is diving underwater.

"Have you ever dreamed of passively exploring the underwater world free from equipment? Freediving is the most natural and serene way to explore the depths of the oceans with minimal impact. It is also the ultimate way to free yourself and spend more time enjoying the beauty and silence of the sea. Anyone who has held their breath underwater has freedived. However, freediving is not simply about seeing how long you can hold your breath or how deep you can go on a single breath. You have to create the right attitude and pay attention to the limits of your body and mind. The true appeal of freediving is in the silence and calm it brings to people's hectic lives."
- AIDA, International Association for the Development of Apnea

Why I Dive

Freediving is where I find my calm, whether I’m in the vast ocean or just chillin' at the bottom of a pool. The weightless feeling down there makes me feel like I’m flying, and it’s a space where I can truly quiet my mind. Each dive has taught me to trust my instincts and my breath, becoming more mindful and aware of my body. Some of the most unforgettable moments of my life have been gliding alongside manta rays, watching them move with an inspiring grace. And the deeper I go, the more I feel that sense of the water wrapping around me like a hug that holds you steady. Freediving has completely transformed the way I see water, turning it into a place of both adventure and profound peace.

WHY PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY?

I didn’t grow up in Prince George’s County—I’m originally from Los Angeles. But after attending Howard University and returning here for work, this place became a second home. Prince George’s County is one of the largest Black suburbs in the country, and it’s full of driven, exceptional, and talented people. It’s a place where Black excellence is the standard, and the sense of community is real and powerful.

I see people here who look like me and love the water, yet many don’t know about freediving, or maybe they think it’s out of reach because they haven’t seen representation in the sport.
‍
That’s why I believe PG County is the perfect place to build a community of Black freedivers. There’s already a foundation of support, ambition, and connection here, and I want to create a space where residents can explore freediving, feel empowered, and connect with the water in new ways.

Get Involved

A person is diving in the ocean with a blue and white spear.

The Journey Ahead

My journey with freediving is ongoing, and I’m committed to deepening my skills to bring this mission to life. These days, I’m actively training and preparing for an intensive three-month program at Freedive Academy in Panglao.

I’ll be working toward earning two key instructor certifications—AIDA and SSI—that will allow me to bring high-quality, safe training back to my community and certify new freedivers right here at home.

These steps are about more than just credentials; they’re about building a foundation for ALATIOMI where our people can thrive as empowered, confident freedivers.

Follow the Journey