Khari Parrish Inspires a New Era of Community Sailing
Khari Parrish is making waves in the world of sailing. As the Director of Operations for Community Sailing New Orleans, he has been recognized as the Outstanding Program Director for his visionary leadership and commitment to operational excellence. Parrish is not only running a successful community sailing program but is also shaping the future of the sport by expanding access and fostering diversity.
A Passion for Sailing and Science
Parrish’s journey into sailing began at Hampton University, the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) with a sailing team. When he joined the team, he quickly realized how vast and global the sport was. “Even as an HBCU, our team mainly included international students, and that really opened my eyes to how prominent sailing was to the rest of the world,” Parrish recalls. His experiences traveling and competing broadened his perspective on the sport’s accessibility and potential for inclusion.
While pursuing degrees in marine biology and environmental science, Parrish found a way to merge his academic background with his passion for sailing.
“As I picked up [my first job as a sailing instructor], I was also attending Hampton University for marine biology and environmental science. So very early on in learning the nuances of the techniques and, really, the science that goes into sailing, I fell in love with the idea of the intersectionality between the two,” he says.
This connection between science and sailing inspired him to develop programs that help students understand the environment they sail in, making the sport more engaging and educational.
Building a More Inclusive Future in Sailing
Parrish’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in sailing brought him to New Orleans, where he saw an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
“Here in New Orleans, we have three HBCUs as well as a number of historically diverse high schools and primary schools, where I would love to see more kids sailing,” he says. His goal is to show young sailors of all backgrounds that the sport is accessible to them. “I’m really excited, being here, to do what I can to be a representative—somebody who people can look at and say, ‘This is something I can do, and there’s no reason I can’t do it. There are people who look like me who do this.’”
Parrish leads a transformative three-year maritime career program that introduces students with no prior sailing experience to on-the-water opportunities. By the program’s end, they earn multiple certifications, including their US Sailing Level 1 instructor certification, opening doors to teaching at Community Sailing New Orleans summer camps and afterschool programs. As they navigate high school and their futures, students naturally turn to Parrish as a mentor. More than an instructor, he is a role model—instilling values of safety, fun, and lifelong learning while fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
Parrish believes that traditional approaches to teaching sailing need to evolve. “Traditionally, before more recent years, it was more commonplace to put a child in a boat, push them off the dock, and say ‘See you later.’ And for some kids, they love it. Independence works, and everything’s amazing. But for some, it’s isolating and anxiety ridden. I’m really interested and excited to try and implement some approaches that community centers take to introducing the general public, who’s not familiar with sailing.”
Using STEM to Enhance Sailing Education
Parrish’s academic background has allowed him to integrate STEM education into sailing instruction. He sees sailing as more than just a sport—it’s a way to connect students with science, the environment, and their local waters. At Community Sailing New Orleans, US Sailing’s Reach Program curriculum is utilized to fuse STEM education and sailing concepts, providing the perfect complement to enhance programming.
“There’s so much that we don’t know on a public level about our water and about our environment and about the role we play in it. Getting out on the water and taking a sample, seeing the color of your water and seeing what’s in it… That impacts a lot of people to the point where they, A, understand and are more comfortable around their water, and B, are enthusiastically excited about being stewards of their environment.”
He also understands the importance of making academic concepts tangible for students. “As a student, I can remember how often I’ve stared out the window and said, ‘Will I ever use this?’ So giving sailors and students an understanding of how these concepts relates to them outside of the textbook is such an important thing.”
Encouraging the Next Generation of Sailors
For Parrish, expanding access to sailing also means changing perceptions about the sport. “Not everybody has to go to high school and play soccer or football. And for some people, [sailing] is a sport you can fall in love with, and you can continue for the rest of your life.”
He acknowledges that the sailing community has seen a decline in participation over the years, but he’s determined to reverse that trend.
“This sport seems to be losing a lot of its athletes, both recreationally and competitively, and I think a big part in that was how access to the sport was handled for so long. So I’m really excited to one day see a 40-, 50-boat starting line in any of these places where you talk to folks who have been in fleets for years, and they say it’s just not the same amount of folks out there anymore.”
A Lasting Impact
What drives Parrish most is the ability to make a difference in people’s lives through sailing. “[I’m really] excited for the lives we’ve already impacted. It’s not all about sailing, but
sometimes it’s through sailing. Sometimes sailing is just that common ground we have, but it’s an honor to play a role in somebody’s story, whether it’s a veteran finding comfort and solace on the water, in nature, or a young student finding a passion for marine biology or marine science.”
His journey has been shaped by the support of his community, and he hopes to continue paying that forward. “I’m really appreciative of the community that’s helped get me here, because, had I felt alone, I’m sure I would have turned back. But along that journey, really, the people who have encouraged, who have supported, and who have echoed those efforts that are so important to not only my story but to everybody else’s.”
As the Program Director at Community Sailing New Orleans, Parrish has been recognized with US Sailing’s Outstanding Program Director Award for his exceptional leadership and vision in expanding access to sailing in Louisiana.
“Khari serves as a mentor to both staff and students,” Shared Jacob Raymond, a former staff member at Community Sailing New Orleans that had the opportunity to work with Parrish. “His leadership style is centered around serving the community, prioritizing the needs of those he supports while empowering his team to perform at their best to achieve the mission. His office door and personal cell phone number are always open to anyone seeking advice or assistance. Everyone regards Khari as a leader of integrity and authenticity.”
“Under his guidance and passion, Community Sailing New Orleans has flourished, delivering high-quality programming that empowers individuals of all backgrounds to experience the sport. Through innovative outreach and a commitment to operational excellence, Parrish has helped create a welcoming, inclusive environment where community members can develop sailing skills, confidence, and a lifelong connection to the water. His dedication to breaking down barriers and fostering a thriving sailing culture in New Orleans exemplifies the impact of strong leadership in community sailing,” said Janel Martin, US Sailing’s Youth Programs and Outreach Manager.
“For Khari, his role as Operations Director is more than just a job title; it is a calling to serve his community and advance the future of sailing,” said Raymond.
Khari Parrish is not just teaching people how to sail—he’s shaping the future of the sport, making it more inclusive, educational, and accessible. His work at Community Sailing New Orleans is breaking barriers, and his passion for both sailing and science is inspiring a new generation of sailors to take to the water with confidence and curiosity.