Gregory Jr. Rachal // Black Surfers Collective Member 

David Mesfin

Mateo Canu // Surfer

Esabella Bonner // Founder Black Surf Santa Cruz

Beyin Abraha // Surfer

Julian Willams // Pro-Am Surfer

Kayiita Johnson // Founder Black.Surfers

Sierra Raequel // Surfer

Sahfilli Matturi // Founder Sofly Surf School

Natasha Smith // Surfer

Rick Blocker // Black Surfing Advocate

Tony Corley // Founder Black Surfing Association

Tre'lan Michael // Model and Surfer

Christopher Dennis // Founder Wave of Hope

Jessa Williams // Founder Intrsxtn Surf 

Lizelle Jackson // Co-Founder Color The Water 

Sharon Schaffer // First Black Woman Pro Surfer

Selema Masekela // Co-Founder Mami Wata Surf

Lizelle Jackson // Co-Founder Color The Water

NFT WILL DROP ON 06/02/22

Wade in the Water Project by David Mesfin Art
 
Limited-edition portraits will kick off a multimedia project that examines the historical context of pioneering aquatic and surfing cultures in the Black communities in America and Africa.

 Portraits featured as part of the “Wade in the Water” project spotlight activists, pioneers and future leaders in Southern California’s intergenerational Black surfing community.
 
The NFTs feature the cover song “Wade in the Water” by Reggae artist Luciano and Sahfilli Matturi, Founder of Sofly Surf School.

The fine-art detail of each portrait includes an overlay of African Fern Pine, which is an artistic connection to Africa and nature.

The NFT sale are components of a narrative journey also told through a long-form documentary. The feature-length documentary is scheduled for a major film festival tour and world premiere in early 2023.

15% of the proceeds from the sale of the artwork and NFTs will be donated to several nonprofit organizations that are committed to creating a place for BIPOC to connect with surfing. Those organizations include the Black Surfers Collective, Sofly Surf Lessons, Color the Water, Black Surf Club Santa Cruz, and the Black Surfing Association.

David Mesfin of California works in advertising, and is an award-winning creative director and multidisciplinary designer. He has been a part of the surfing community since the early 1990’s. For more information about Mesfin, visit www.davidmesfin.com. For more information about “Wade in the Water,” visit www.wadeinthewaterproject.com.

The NFT sale will drop on June 2. 

NFTs, documentary and fine art project that explores the 1,000 year old tradition of surfing and aquatic culture in Africa and the Americas.