Corhonda “Hooda Brown” Dawson is a force of nature, a diver, ocean advocate, mother, entrepreneur, and storyteller whose life has been anything but ordinary. Born and raised in the soulful city of Memphis, Tennessee, her journey began in city pools and backyard adventures and evolved into a global mission to reconnect people, especially those who’ve been historically left out, with the healing power of nature.
A mother of two scuba-diving daughters, Hooda lives by the mantra “Therapeutic Use of Self” — showing up with purpose, heart, and authenticity in everything she does.
Her journey began as a Memphis lifeguard, where she learned to stay calm under pressure and lead with intuition — skills that later fueled her path as an entrepreneur and advocate.
By age 23, she founded her first therapy agency. A year later, she became the youngest woman awarded a Home Health License by the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission.
But when life called for deeper healing, Hooda turned to the ocean. What began as a personal escape soon became a global calling. Through murky waters and fear, she found clarity, purpose, and power — one dive at a time.
“Underwater, the only voice you can hear is the one in your heart.”
That heart led her to dive in the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and in 2024, she completed her final dive in Antarctica. Hooda became the first African American woman to scuba dive in every ocean, earning her a Guinness World Records® and cementing her legacy as a history-maker.
But Hooda doesn’t dive for records. She dives for representation, healing, and advocacy. Through her work with Diving With A Purpose and NOAA’s Coral Survey projects, she brings ocean conservation into communities that rarely see themselves reflected in environmental science. She uses storytelling and science, facts and flavor, to open hearts and minds.
As a Dive Master, entrepreneur, black diamond snowboarder, and citizen scientist, Hooda is redefining what’s possible. And through her brand, Hooda Brown, she’s building a platform that merges advocacy, adventure, and education.
Hooda is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University, a lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and a passionate servant-leader who believes in one thing:
“If you give people access to wonder, you ignite change.”