Lee Pitts

Birmingham, Alabama

Competitive Swimmer

Competitive swimmer, teacher, entrepreneur – Lee Pitts has spent his life focused on a love of swimming. Opportunities for African-American youngsters to learn swimming in 1960s Birmingham were limited. Then the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club opened its doors, and at age 6 Pitts found a sport that would change his life. He went on to become one of the preeminent swim instructors in America, producing an award-winning video and opening a school that teaches water skills and safety to children and adults. Pitts has been recognized in national media as a role model for his teaching career and involvement with community youth.