Meet BRAID's Olyma Desarmes

BRAID is one of this year's Shop for a Change businesses USRowing is highlighting through May. BRAID stands for Black Rowers Amplifying Inclusion and Diversity, they’re committed to creating a safe, supportive, and empowering space for Black girls to connect, grow, and thrive in the rowing world. Their mission is to amplify the message that Black rowers are invaluable and essential to this sport. Olyma Desarmes is a proud executive board member of B.R.A.I.D (Black Rowers Amplifying Inclusion and Diversity) and a committed advocate for diversity and inclusion for black athletes. To support their goal, shop here. 

What was the driving force for joining the BRAID leadership team? (The Why)  

My “why” for joining the BRAID leadership team is rooted deeply in my lived experience navigating the isolation, racial fatigue, and emotional toll of being the only Black girl on a rowing team. I know firsthand what it feels like to exist in a space where you’re unseen, unheard, and unsupported. I want to transform the pain of my experience into purpose—creating a space where no more Black girls, no more Black rowers, will endure what I have.

Joining BRAID Rowing allows me to build a community for others and ensure that Black rowers are celebrated not just for their athletic abilities but for who they are as people. It’s about creating real change that is permanent—turning silence into solidarity, loneliness into belonging, and exclusion into empowerment. I want to do everything I can to redefine the space of rowing and turn the sport into a place where diversity isn’t the exception, but the norm.

Who has inspired change in your life?  

My mom. She has modeled what it means to be strong for my entire life. She taught me the importance of standing tall when the world tries to shrink you. Her ability to navigate life’s challenges with dignity and unwavering love taught me the value of self-worth and the power of owning your identity. She showed me that my voice matters, even in spaces where it feels ignored.

Every Black trailblazer who came before me has fueled my fight for change. When the weight of it feels heavy, I remind myself that their courage carved the path for the opportunities I have today. Maya Angelou’s words constantly echo in my heart: “I come as one, but I stand as 10,000.” Although I may be front and center in this pursuit for change in rowing, I’m never standing alone. Behind me are some incredible women like Grace and Bex, whose support inspires me to never give up. Their belief in me reminds me why this work matters—and for that, I am endlessly grateful.

What impact do you hope BRAID has on the community?  

The impact I hope BRAID has on the community is to spark real systemic change in the sport—challenging institutions to do better, fostering authentic allyship, and shifting the narrative around who belongs in rowing. I want it to be a source of strength, connection, and hope for Black rowers.

I envision BRAID not just as a community but as a movement that transforms the culture of rowing—from one of isolation to one of belonging, visibility, and acceptance for Black athletes.

How has your journey in rowing driven your activism?  

Growing up in America as a Black woman comes with a weight that’s hard to put into words. I’ve had to constantly balance the beauty of who I am with the weight of how the world sees me. My activism didn’t start with rowing—it started with living. I was a junior in high school when I witnessed the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The wave of injustice that followed wasn’t just a national tragedy—it was personal, and I could no longer stay quiet. The discrimination exposed during the pandemic wasn’t new, but it felt raw, undeniable, and impossible for me to ignore.

I walked onto my school’s Division I rowing team my sophomore year of college. I would say rowing drove my activism because it became personal. For the first time in my life, it wasn’t just about what was happening in the world, but about what was happening to me and others.

Through the challenges of navigating undiverse spaces as “the only,” I realized my experiences in this sport were extensions of the very systems I was already fighting against. As rowing challenged me physically and mentally, it also showed me how deeply woven discrimination is into everyday spaces.

My activism is deeply personal because it’s no longer something witnessed or heard—it’s lived. BRAID Rowing is the result of that journey, and something I am immensely grateful to be a part of. It has given me a voice to advocate for Black athletes so they can thrive in any space they want to be a part of.

What are your passions beyond college?  

Beyond college, my passion is still helping people. I’m very interested in becoming a clinical psychologist because it’s a field that allows me to explore and understand the deep complexities of the human mind—and help others heal from the emotional struggles they face.

I’ve always been a huge advocate for mental health, and there’s something incredibly empowering about being able to ensure that people feel seen and supported.  

What is something you wish you could tell your younger self about the future? / What advice do you have for young athletes coming up in the rowing world?  

If I could tell my younger self anything about the future, it would be this: You are worthy of space in every room you walk into, and your voice matters. There will be moments when you feel alone—when the weight of your reflection feels suffocating—but never give up on fighting for what’s right, because your journey will pave the way for meaningful change. Never doubt that your presence matters. Most importantly, you are beautiful, and your skin is beautiful. Love every part of yourself unapologetically.

To young athletes coming up in the rowing world, my advice is simple: You are enough, just as you are. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you have to shrink to fit into a space that wasn’t built for you. Your authenticity is your biggest asset, and never let anyone project a stereotype on you that you don’t belong. You do. There is space for you, and you deserve to take up all of it.

There may be times when you feel like the only one, but never forget that your presence is powerful and meaningful. Surround yourself with people who lift you up—and most of all, choose your happiness first.