(Richmond, Va., June 17, 2009)—Latifah Neblett-Burrell started diving because she wanted to do something different.

Her mother wanted to give her shy daughter an outlet.

They both got what they wanted and this Saturday, June 20, 15-year-old Latifah will head to Savannah State University to be named Youth Female Diver of the Year by the National Association of Black Scuba Divers. The award, to be presented June 25, will be a part of the association’s sixth annual Youth Educational Summit. In addition, July 16 and 17, Latifah will be in the nation’s capital with representatives of NABS receiving an award from the U.S. Department of Interior.

Latifah learned to dive through Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s Youth Sports and Fine Arts Academy, which pairs with the Black Dolphin Divers of Richmond to offer diving lessons to young residents of housing authority properties.

“I’ve been diving three years,” said Latifah, who started diving when the program began and plans to stick with diving. “I wanted to do something different and didn’t know anyone who had done it before so I wanted to try it.” The best part, she said, is traveling to meet new people and see new places. “I like seeing how people live in different places,” said Latifah, who is also on the track and field team and an honor student at Armstrong High School.

“Latifah is the perfect example of what we at RRHA envisioned achieving through the Youth Sports and Fine Arts Academy,” said Anthony Scott, RRHA’s chief executive officer. “Our residents have a wide range of talents and through strategic partnerships we’ve been able to help plant positive seeds in the lives of several young residents. This is a proud moment for the RRHA family.”

Clifton Hicks, president of the Black Dolphin Divers of Richmond, nominated Latifah for the award. “She is a leader, she is dependable and she doesn’t mind sharing her knowledge with others,” Hicks said. “She is always willing to step up to the plate.” Hicks said the same thing about Latifah’s mother, Teressa Neblett-Burrell, a volunteer with the program who he said makes things happen and is “always on time.”

Neblett-Burrell said diving helped her daughter gain confidence. “She came out of her shell. It also helped her in school. She’s asking more questions and wants to excel in different things. This literally blew me out of the water.”

Latifah’s twin sister Fatimah also dives with the program. “RRHA, The Black Dolphin Divers, the National Association of Black Scuba Divers have been there for us,” Neblett-Burrell said. “I don’t have a whole lot of money, but I do have some time I can give. It is important for my daughters to learn strength and independence and that it’s okay to be different and to do something different. They know you can live in public housing and do great things. It’s not where you live, it’s how you live.”

Ralph Stuckey, resident services program manager at RRHA, agreed. “Latifah’s success speaks volumes about the quality of youth who often go unrecognized in public housing communities.”

Five other youth divers will accompany Latifah as she travels via train to Georgia.

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Editors: Please contact Valena Dixon to arrange an interview with Latifah or her mother, Teressa Neblett-Burrell

Photo Opportunity: The six youth divers will leave for Savannah, Ga. via Amtrak Saturday night June 20