Alice Dearing

Alice Dearing is a passionate advocate for racial equality and a dynamic public speaker whose lived experience as a Black woman in competitive swimming deeply informs her work. Now retired from professional sport as of 2024, she continues to drive impactful conversations around inclusion through her work as a diversity and inclusion speaker and campaigner, while also working with the Black Swimming Association (BSA), which she co-founded in 2020. Her experience of navigating a predominantly white sport as the only Black woman on the British Olympic swim team has shaped her compelling speaking topics, which include diversity and inclusion, mental health, self-care, peak performance, fashion and beauty, natural hair, and mass-participation in sport. Her talks powerfully blend personal storytelling with broader social insight, helping audiences understand the real-world impact of systemic inequalities.

Alice’s journey began when she took up swimming at the age of eight. Showing early promise, she rose swiftly through the ranks, culminating in her winning the 10km World Junior Open Water Championship in 2016. Her relentless commitment and discipline led her to become a standout figure in British swimming. She made history in 2021 by becoming the first Black swimmer to represent Team GB at an Olympic Games, competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Her visibility and voice during and after the Games significantly raised awareness around the barriers Black communities face in accessing aquatic sports and spaces, sparking broader discussions across the country.

Her contributions to sport and society have earned her several accolades, including being named Sunday Times Changemaker of the Year in 2022. In this role, Alice was celebrated for using her platform to inspire change, promote equity, and champion underrepresented voices in sport and beyond. Through the Black Swimming Association, she continues to push for greater access, education, and representation in swimming and water safety across the UK’s Black and ethnic minority communities.

Alice is a sought-after speaker not just for her trailblazing achievements, but for her ability to connect with audiences across sectors. She offers practical and inspiring insights into diversity and inclusion, particularly through the lens of mental health, natural hair acceptance, beauty standards, and self-care within high-performance environments. Her engaging delivery and first-hand experiences make her an authoritative and relatable voice on racial equity. Whether addressing corporate teams, schools, or sports organisations, Alice is hired for her authenticity, her unique journey, and her commitment to creating a more inclusive and empathetic society.