Celebrating Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, MarineMax is highlighting the contributions of Black men and women to the boating industry, with a special focus on our employees. Join us as we acknowledge and celebrate the impact of these MarineMax team members and customers.

• Ismail Dubose
• Eddie Wright

Meet Ismail Dubose

As a talented and knowledgeable technician working within the boating industry today, we celebrate Ismail Dubose for his skill and expertise in boats of all types. He believes that Black history should be discussed more in general than just one month.

As a technician with MarineMax Clearwater, Ismail Dubose worked with MarineMax for nearly nine years and started his career as a boat detailer when he moved into the area. He enjoys the boating industry since it’s fun, and he meets many interesting people from all walks of life. His favorite boat is a Boston Whaler 270 Dauntless due to its performance regardless of what type of adventure you’re on.

When asked what Black History Month means to him, Ismail says, "There is so much about Black history that is untold, unwritten, or even rewritten. Black history shouldn't only be talked about or taught in one month. It is so important to not only talk about but to teach and recognize Black history more, not only the slavery but the inventions and other practices that happened back in the 1800s, before, and up until the present.”

Ismail also brought up a quote by philosopher George Santayana, which is, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," which Ismail feels is true, especially if no one pays attention to it. "Let's not forget about it, erase it, or change it. Let's talk about it and learn about it and from it," says Ismail

Meet Eddie Wright

Eddie Wright knows the Tampa Bay area water well in more ways than one! As the owner of a luxury real estate company, he is an expert in knowing top-notch locations along the waterfront—and as a boater, he has phenomenal advice on where to go! We celebrate Eddie for his knowledge, enthusiasm for boating, and contributions to the local area by making new homeowners happy!

As an owner of a luxury real estate company in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area and MarineMax customer, Eddie Wright is no stranger to the water. With 99% of the homes he sells being waterfront properties and having docks, Eddie will sometimes take his current Sea Ray Sundancer 350 out to the property. “That's part of the excitement in selling waterfront and luxury properties in the Tampa Bay area,” says Eddie.

Although Eddie didn’t come from a boating family, he enjoyed many weekends renting boats while in the military. Upon retiring and moving to the Tampa Bay area, he almost bought an RV but soon changed his mind after seeing the water. After opting for a boat, Eddie came to MarineMax, where he has had a positive experience with each department he’s encountered.

“MarineMax has been tremendously amazing, and when I say that, it's three areas," says Eddie, and further explains the professionalism he has experienced at MarineMax in the service department, how the parts department helped him retrieve "specialty parts," and that he will be going to the sales department when he is ready to upgrade. In addition, he also took several MarineMax boating classes since he’s big on safety.

Since Eddie knows the area quite well, we got some insight about some of the best locations to look for waterfront property in the Tampa Bay area, where he indicated that there are several. “When I think of the top three places, I think of Harbor Island, that's downtown Tampa that puts you in the middle of downtown, right on the canal with access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf. Second place would be Davis Island. Again, very trendy,” says Eddie. The third location mentioned is Apollo Beach, which gives boaters much closer access to Anna Maria Island, the Gulf, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. In addition to the recommended waterfront living locations, Eddie shared some of his favorite areas he visits, which are Pine Key Tampa Bay (aka Beer Can Island), Egmont Key, Holmes Beach, Long Boat Key, and St. Petersburg.

Adding even more of a picturesque vision to the Tampa Bay area, Eddie recalls one of his favorite boating memories. “We get a lot of pretty sunsets, but my favorite of boating is, it was about three years ago when a cruise ship had just sailed out of Tampa. I guess they left late, but it was when the sun was setting, and it was the most beautiful sunset with a cruise ship in the background that I had ever seen,” says Eddie.

When asked how he feels about Black History Month, Eddie views it as a time of reflection. “When I look at Black History Month, for me, it's a time of reflection. It's a time to reflect on all the sacrifices my ancestors and so many Americans have made for me to enjoy the basic freedoms that so many other people were already enjoying. I mean, when we look back as young as 1960, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prior to that being passed in 1964, there were so many places that Black people in America could not go, like restaurants, different public accommodations, and marinas and boating and yacht clubs was one of them. So, for me to own a very large boat, to be a member of different yacht clubs and marinas, it's just amazing to me,” says Eddie. He also reflects upon his ancestors and dreams. “Without a doubt, I know I'm the dream of so many of my ancestors, and I don't take that lightly. They dream of this. They dream to sit in front of the Marriott on a yacht," says Eddie and adds, "I'm the dream of so many other people.”

During Black History Month, Eddie mentioned there are celebrations in the Downtown Tampa area and in Citrus Park. He plans to attend events that are happening locally.

In Conclusion

We want to thank all those who shared their personal stories and views on Black History Month. We truly appreciate your thoughts and being a part of our family while creating fond memories on the water. And as philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer said, “In truth, history does not belong to us but rather we to it.”

No matter who you are, where you come from, and what type of boat you have or want, we are all United by Water®, and MarineMax is always happy to help you along the way and join our ever-growing family boaters!

Did You Know?

19th Century Mariners

The ocean does not only offer ways to travel but has provided many with steady work—and still does. In the 1800s, many Black Americans joined the maritime industry and worked as fishermen, sailors, and crabbers. As the 19th century came to an end, Black Americans were thriving within the industry and were also in positions involving leadership.

The Underground Railroad

Water has also played a role in escape routes. When the Underground Railroad was formed, the term 'escape' had a much deeper meaning for many during that era. In the early to mid-1800s, secret routes and safe houses were established to help enslaved African Americans escape to freedom. Certain ships also were a part of the network, where some slaves hid or impersonated crewmembers.

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Day

An event that took place along the water happened over 75 years ago in Miami, Florida. Local Black residents of the area fought for their rights to go to the beach by staging a “wade-in” at Virginia Key Beach Park, a whites-only beach, in 1945. Their attempt was a success, and Virginia Key Beach Park became the first beach location that Black families could enjoy in South Florida, which is now celebrated annually on August 1.

Black Boaters and Talent to Celebrate

Enjoying the water can be done in many ways, and these water-loving enthusiasts have each found unique attributes they excel at. From a professional female surfer training for the Olympics, a master captain with paint and sail excursions to an established fishing tournament pro becoming a rising star on YouTube, these extraordinary Black figures in our modern-day world are awe-inspiring. Read about them in “8 Black Boaters to Follow in Honor of Black History Month.”