Friend,

My name is Captain Donald Lawson. I am an avid sailor, educator, and in just a few months, I'm going to become the first African American man to attempt 12 world records, including the fastest person to sail around the globe solo — thanks to a clean energy-powered sailboat.

Although I grew up in the coastal community of Baltimore, I didn't spend as much time near the water as you might think. But when I was nine I had the opportunity to go sailing with the Living Classroom Foundation's Lady Maryland program. This event introduced me to sailing and changed my life forever. The sense of freedom I felt steering the boat that day has stayed with me for all these years — it has influenced my dreams and shaped the direction of my career.

The Captain of the Lady Maryland told me I could sail around the world one day — and I believed him.

From a young age I noticed the stark racial and socioeconomic disparities of the boating and sailing community around the East Coast. Over the years, I have seen very few people of color on the water sailing, racing, or competing. In fact, African Americans currently hold ZERO world records in sailing, and there are very few opportunities for young people of color to experience the joy of sailing as I did.

As I went on to attend Morgan State University and studied engineering, I had the opportunity to teach sailing at the Downtown Sailing Center, Getaway Sailing, and the US Naval Academy. It was important for me not only to excel on my own but to change this system…
  Read the rest of my story »
Sincerely,

Captain Donald Lawson

P.S. LCV is currently partnering with me to help me reach my goals and break historic world records — you can join us and donate to my fundraiser through Independent Arts and Media today »