Eighteen Jackson Public Schools (JPS) Swim Team scholars are busting the myth that Black people don’t swim.

Swimming reportedly has long been a cultural fear of African Americans that dates back to numerous slaves who drowned in streams and rivers who could not swim attempting to free themselves from the grip of slaveowners on their journey to freedom.

These JPS scholars have not only learned how to swim but are excelling in a sport that was once reserved for white students only when JPS was segregated. Additionally, during the Jim Crow Era in the city of Jackson, city pools were closed to Blacks, leaving Black children with no place to swim. 

Arian Taylor, a senior from JPS’ Jim Hill High School, became the first African American student to receive a full swim scholarship to Meridian Community College. She swam in the 50 and 100-meter races. WJTV featured Taylor’s story on May 7, 2024.  Taylor said, “I hope to inspire others as a JPS trailblazer because it is truly a blessing from the Lord. ”

JPS swim team coaches are Micha’el Sheriff, Be’Lon Jones, John Charleston, and Cydria Gray. They are helping the following 18 students swim towards excellence. 

Brooks Fortenberry (Bailey APAC Middle School)   

Maybelle McGuffey (Bailey APAC Middle School)  

Alayla Powell (Jim Hill H.S.)                                     

Kennedi Howard (Jim Hill H..)                                  

Nicholas Sivak (Murrah (JTech)                                 

Balin Kelly (Murrah H.S.)                                          

Daniel Knott (Murrah H.S.)                                       

Elijah Fortenberry (Murrah H.S.)                               

Jorden Covington (Murrah H.S.)     

Kameron Armstrong (Murrah H.S.)

Lawson Carter-Price (Murrah H.S.)

Miles Hansen (Murrah H.S.)

Kenneth Howard (Murrah H.S.)

Roscoe Lavanway (Murrah H.S.)

Tre Howard (Murrah H.S.)

Lailah Howard (Murrah H.S.)

Tre Price (Provine H.S.)

Kendarius Robinson (Provine H.S.) 

Coach Sheriff said, “So far, we have four swimmers who have qualified for MHSAA North/South State Regionals, and one is Maybelle McGuffey from Bailey APAC, a first-year 7th grade JPS swimmer.  North State regionals will take place in Cleveland, Mississippi at Delta State University. South State Regionals will take place in Laurel, Mississippi. We have two swim meets left, with the last one called Last Chance Meet. This is the last chance for swimmers to qualify for Regionals. We plan to have more swimmers to qualify. I’ve been a swim instructor since 2011, and I love seeing our kids excel in a lifetime sport.  I’m confident in their abilities to be champions for water safety. The Swimmage is a time for us to showcase our swimmers and highlight our seniors.”

Coach Sheriff also noted: “I have coached over 20 swimmers from middle to high school. In the fall of 2021, we had nine swimmers to qualify for the MHSAA North/South State Regional Championship. In 2022, we had six swimmers to qualify for the MHSAA North/South State Regional Championship, with two being first-year swimmers. (8th grader Edward Hall from Bailey APAC and 9th grader Alayla Powell from Jim Hill High School).  In addition to qualifying for regionals, five of those swimmers advanced to state and competed in the Statewide MHSAA Championship in Tupelo, MS. Two of those swimmers were 1st time State qualifiers. (Edward Hall and 11th grader Kendarius Robinson from Provine High School.)

Coaches Micha’el Sheriff and Be’Lon Jones have nine years combined experience working with the Jackson Public Schools system athletes. Both are American Red Cross Lifeguard Certified. Sheriff and Jones are certified child and adult swim instructors and are available for group and private lessons.  

Coach Jones said, “I feel like my swim students perform better in the classroom because of the discipline they’ve learned being in the water. It keeps them motivated and focused on the task at hand. Two of my swimmers and their families went to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France as spectators.” Jones and her family said, “We were proud to have a watch party for Simone Manuel, the first African American female swimmer to earn a gold medal during the 2024 Olympics. At my private business, Swim Mississippi, LLC, we teach CPR and First Aid classes, water safety, and engage in competitive swim.  At Swim Mississippi, LLC our motto is “Our Black Kids Swim Too.”

Both coaches agreed that age 3 is a good age to start kids swimming. However, six months is the optimum time for parents to put their kids in the water, as babies can float naturally. 

These JPS athletes will participate in the Annual 2024 Team Swimmage Showcase on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at the Briarwood Community Pool located at 570 Reddoch Drive (Jackson, Mississippi) from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. There is an across the board $5 admission fee to attend the Swimmage Showcase. Cash and CASH APP will be accepted to purchase concessions at the Swimmage. For additional information regarding the Swimmage Showcase, contact Brenda Knott at 601-573-3900 and/or bknott842@yahoo.com.