On a Mission to Connect Black & Brown Communities to New York Harbor

Tanasia Swift, Assistant Director of Community Engagement, New York Harbor School Alumni Class of 2008
A Billion Oyster Project Staff & Harbor School Alumni Feature

Before attending the Harbor School, Tanasia Swift, Harbor School Alumni Class of 2008, already had a deep fascination and foundational understanding of marine science. Today, she channels that passion into a personal mission: bridging the gap between diverse communities and the world beneath the waves.

“One of my missions is to connect Black and Brown communities to the world of marine science,” Tanasia says.

Her interest in marine biology began as a child when she accompanied her fisherman father on the water. With a preexisting love for New York Harbor, applying to Harbor School was a logical choice. After her acceptance, she spent her first semester at the Island School in the Bahamas, conducting research and earning scuba diving certification. As she developed a passion for marine habitat restoration in the Bahamas, Tanasia became determined to bring her love for the water to her community in New York City.

“There were different touch points in which I realized my love for both of these things––marine science and my love for New York City––and they felt quite disconnected,” Tanasia shares.

Harbor School's environmental science curriculum emphasizes hands-on marine learning in New York City, making it the ideal place for Tanasia to integrate her passions.

In a field class led by Ann Fraioli––our Director of Education at Billion Oyster Project and a founding teacher at Harbor School––Tanasia and her classmates explored the complex history of the city’s shoreline through site visits. This storytelling approach sparked Tanasia’s dedication to uncovering narratives that have been historically overlooked or excluded.

“Where are the stories of Black folks around New York Harbor? How can we bring those stories in and connect them to the people who may not see themselves in the stories that are currently told?” Tanasia asks. “The field class was impactful because it allowed me to see different parts of the Harbor and its history. But it also allowed me to see that there were gaps in some of the stories that were told in textbooks.”

Tanasia’s hands-on exploration of the coastline’s history at Harbor School played a key role in shaping her path to us and her current role as Assistant Director of Community Engagement. While learning about environmental justice communities at Stony Brook University, she began questioning why her home community in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, was underrepresented in marine science. This inspired a commitment in Tanasia to create pathways for underrepresented communities to engage with their waterways.

Over the past seven years, Tanasia has led our work with excellence, teamwork and passion. She has held multiple roles, starting as Community Reefs Manager and Field Stations Manager, leading efforts to install oyster reefs. As Assistant Director of Community Engagement, Tanasia is now focused on her core mission of connecting communities around New York City to the Harbor through coastal stewardship programs that expand urban marine access. She remains dedicated to storytelling as a tool “to build community around the waterfront,” engaging with personal stories of connection to the city’s waterways.

“Within this generation, I think people will start building larger social communities around the water, not only physical infrastructure but building social cohesion around the Harbor itself,” Tanasia says. “With Billion Oyster Project, I can see that there are people who are excited about oysters in the Harbor; I see a shift in how people think about the water.”

Outside of her work, Tanasia can be found documenting New York Harbor from underwater and sharing footage within her community and across NYC, bringing the Harbor to life.

“It’s absolutely beautiful to share videos that I take underwater with people from my community and say, look, there are so many things living here,” Tanasia shares. “Or look, this place needs more help because more things should live here. Adding that storytelling piece and visuals makes for a great inclusion in how people see the water and know that New York Harbor is an amazing, very alive ecosystem.”

Learn more about Harbor School and how our education initiatives support the next generation of environmental stewardship. Read our 2024 10th Anniversary Impact Report and how you can support our efforts to raise $1 Million for 1 Billion Oysters by December 31st!