West Philadelphia champion rower Brannon Johnson runs the only Black-owned and operated rowing club in the United States, report Maureen Wellner and Lyndsey Teague for 6abc.

When she first started rowing competitively in high school, there were few people of color in the sport. Johnson then went on to have a successful racing career that took her around the world.

Now, she has returned home to Philadelphia and the Schuylkill River to help popularize the sport in her community and is leading the way for women of color in rowing.

“I definitely stumbled into my mission,” said Johnson. “And I love that it’s not about me, I love that it’s about this community. What we’ve built together, holding each other accountable, pushing each other to do better and be better.”

Johnson built Boathouse Without Walls in a tent and members soon started pouring in.

“It’s definitely been nice having somebody to look up to and somebody that holds me accountable,” said Kaiya Johnson, a high school rower.

Watch the entire segment at 6abc.

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