We are thrilled to announce that Kamau Beyete Anum Sadiki, a Divemaster with over 1,600 logged dives and nearly two decades of diving experience, has been selected as the latest recipient of NAUI’s Diversity Scholarship. Kamau brings with him an extensive background in dive leadership, underwater archaeology, and a dedication to cultural heritage preservation—making him an outstanding addition to the NAUI family.
Kamau serves on the Board of Directors for Diving With a Purpose (DWP), a nonprofit dedicated to submerged heritage preservation, focusing on African Diaspora shipwrecks tied to the Transatlantic Era of African Enslavement. As a Lead Instructor in DWP’s Underwater Archaeology Survey training program, Kamau has been instrumental in educating divers globally, instilling skills that recover honor and historical legacies and conserve underwater resources. DWP’s mission extends beyond preservation, as they engage young people from underserved communities through their Youth Diving With a Purpose (YDWP) program, where Kamau previously served as a Lead Instructor, imparting skills in underwater archaeology documentation and coral reef conservation.
Kamau is also the program manager for Africatown Swim-To-SCUBA, an initiative in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Africatown Heritage Preservation Foundation. This program serves the community of Africatown, Alabama—a historic community north of Mobile, established by descendants of Africans who were brought illegally to the United States aboard the Clotilda, the last known USA “slave” ship. The Africatown program teaches local youth to swim, building their proficiency to Red Cross Level 4 before introducing them to scuba diving through Discover Scuba sessions. Kamau envisions extending their journey, offering these youth the opportunity to become certified NAUI Open Water Divers under the mentorship of Courtlandt Butts, an NAUI Instructor who is already deeply involved in the program.
Kamau’s commitment to safety, diversity, and leadership in diving closely aligns with NAUI’s core values. Through the Diversity Scholarship, he aims to increase representation within the diving community and to inspire youth from underserved backgrounds to consider scuba diving as a potential career path. Additionally, Kamau’s mission to reduce drowning rates among African American youth by enhancing swim proficiency highlights his dedication to community impact, education, and public safety.
Kamau’s selection as the NAUI Diversity Scholarship recipient strengthens NAUI’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the diving industry. His vision of using NAUI’s high standards to nurture young divers and build bridges between underrepresented communities and the underwater world is one we proudly support. As he embarks on his journey to become a NAUI Instructor, we look forward to the positive impact Kamau will bring to the NAUI community and the diving industry at large.
Please join us in congratulating Kamau on this well-deserved honor and stay tuned for updates on his journey with NAUI!
Instrested in applying for the NAUI Diversity Scholarship? Learn more about the application process, prerequisistes, or elgibility, please visit: NAUI Diversity Scholarship
