A distressing experience at a leisure centre in Kent prompted Danielle Obe to take action to create innovative swim gear for children with textured hair. Following a swimming lesson, Obe’s daughter, four-year-old Kayla, experienced a meltdown over having her hair washed after a swimming cap failed to keep water out. This incident not only highlighted challenges faced by families from diverse backgrounds but also inspired Obe to develop a solution.
During the shower, Kayla became extremely upset, leading to a concerned bystander notifying staff about a child in distress. Obe recounted, “She was screaming, ‘no mummy, no mummy,’ while we were in a closed shower cubicle.” The situation escalated when duty managers arrived to investigate the source of Kayla’s distress. With limited options to explain the situation, Obe found herself having to articulate the unique challenges of maintaining textured hair, particularly how conventional swim caps often fail to accommodate it.
Obe’s efforts to communicate her daughter’s fears were met with understanding, but she recognized the potential for such misunderstandings to escalate further, especially considering the racial dynamics at play. “If that hadn’t been the case, I really believe I would have had a social services involvement on my hands,” she reflected. This realization spurred her to ensure that other children would not face similar predicaments.
Following this incident, Obe became inspired to create a product that would allow children with textured hair to participate in swimming and other activities without fear of damaging their hair. “I wanted Kayla to have the option to swim or dance in the rain, without worrying about her hair,” she explained.
The journey to develop a solution led Obe to establish her own brand, Obé, which focuses on waterproof headscarves and swim caps specifically designed for textured hair. After initial setbacks with suppliers, she partnered with JustGood, a company that understood her vision, and successfully launched her product line two years later.
Her innovative swim caps and headscarves have garnered attention from across the globe. Obe received inquiries from a volleyball team in Cabo Verde and parents in England, all seeking solutions for their children’s hair care while engaging in aquatic activities. “All these messages felt like hope,” she said. “I had thought I was working towards a change required for my daughter. But I soon realised it was much more than that.”
Beyond her entrepreneurial efforts, Obe co-founded the Black Swimming Association (BSA) in response to the tragic drowning of Gabriel Diya and two of his children in December 2019. This incident underscored the urgent need for improved aquatic safety education within minority communities. Obe emphasized the importance of swimming as a vital life skill that many people of colour lack access to, stating, “Basic swimming is a life skill, but a life skill so many people don’t have access to.”
The BSA aims to address the barriers to swimming participation faced by Black communities, including the cost of lessons, equipment, and cultural perceptions of water. Obe highlighted that for many, water is viewed with apprehension, likening it to fire, which further complicates the issue of water safety awareness.
Danielle Obe’s journey illustrates the intersection of personal experience and broader social issues, emphasizing the power of innovation in addressing specific community needs. She champions the belief that water safety education and access to swimming should be viewed as fundamental rights, not privileges. As she continues her advocacy work, Obe hopes her products will not only provide practical solutions for families but also inspire confidence and empowerment within minority communities.
To learn more about Obé and the Black Swimming Association, interested readers can find additional information through their respective websites.
