Carlotta Nwajide(Germany): Rowing & Activism

Carlotta Nwajide is not only a Vice World and European Champion, but also an outspoken activist who leads by thoughtful example. She believes that inaction is action in and of itself, whether it comes to racism or environmentalism.

Carlotta grew up competing as the only black rower in her community and knows what it’s like to be known for her skin color before people see her character. She fell in love with our planet during the many hours she’s rowed outdoors and has taken it upon herself to minimize the environmental impact of the entire Germany Rowing Team. Now at age 25 and on her way to Tokyo, she’s using her platform to create positive social change for antiracism and environmentalism.

In this episode, German Olympic Rower Carlotta discusses the implications of race and what it means to be a black female rower in a predominantly white sport. She also talks about how rowing in the outdoors birthed a passion for environmentalism and how the German national rowing team is combating the climate crisis.

Experts interviewed include Sabine Grages-Nwajide (Carlotta’s Mother); Kim Brennan (16X National Champion, 3x Olympic Medalist); and Arshay Cooper (Rower & Award-Winning Author, A Most Beautiful Thing).

Media clips from YouTube’s ‘Olympic rowing, explained’, and Jamie Margolin’s TEDxYouth@Columbia ‘Patriarchy, racism, and colonialism caused the climate crisis’

Carlotta Nwajide – Flame Bearers