First African American To Win Prestigious Diving Scholarship

NOBLE, Okla. - June 16, 2019 - PRLog -- Dorian Banks, 27, is the first African American to be awarded the Future of Diving Scholarship, which recognizes outstanding students dedicated to the protection of marine wildlife and fragile ecosystems.

Each year, Dive Mentor chooses from among hundreds of applicants from all around the world to select one deserving individual with exceptional promise and leadership skills to attend our four-month intensive marine conservation professional diver program at our Caribbean research site.

Banks, who attended Marygrove College, earned his Open Water Scuba certification last year and quickly fell in love with the underwater world. A year later, he's returning to complete his Divemaster program, which will take place in the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Marine Park in Cozumel.

"Our entire program is specifically designed to strengthen the student's understanding of the Ocean and everything in it, while allowing them to earn valuable internationally recognized certifications and documented community service hours. Less than 1% of the world's population will ever scuba dive, but divers make some of the best ambassadors for the Ocean. That's because we actually see the effects of pollution, coral bleaching, and single-use plastics first hand. If we can bring more people into the underwater world, we can significantly change perspectives." Said James L. Clark, an Instructor Trainer and the Director of Education for Dive Mentor.

During his training, Banks will earn his professional diver credentials, as well as, certifications in Coral Conservation, Turtle Ecology, Shark Ecology, Marine Ecology, and even in emergency medicine.

Dive Mentor's is an international non-profit educational organization dedicated to inspiring others to protect marine wildlife and fragile marine habitats for future generations. We do this through a variety of innovative, fun, and exciting conservation, adventure, and scientific underwater training programs.

http://www.divementor.org
1-833-DIVE-MENTOR (833-3636)
http://www.facebook.com/divementors