Jireh Ishaazi, who started the program, stands with Patrick Lynch of the Ipswich River Watershed AssociationPhoto: Carl Stevens/WBZ
IPSWICH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) – There is a new program on the North Shore and it is designed to help more people of color spend time on the water.
Coming from Uganda to Ipswich, Jireh Ishaazi used to feel isolated when she would go kayaking down the Ipswich River. She was the only person of color on the water.
Ishaazi decided to partner with the Ipswich River Watershed Association to start a minority inclusion initiative.
“This is in efforts to bridge the gap in recreation on the Ipswich River,” Ishaazi said. She wants the area to “be more inclusive and supportive and empowering of minority communities and individuals.”
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While it is still a new program, Ishazzi has raised enough money to pay for other people’s memberships, which the association is giving out for free to people of color.
Overall, they are trying to diversify the population of individuals coming to the Ipswich River.
WBZ’s Carl Stevens (@carlwbz) has the story:
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