Post by Mercury Marine

Fishing has always been about more than what happens on the water. It's about mentorship, community and creating opportunities for the next generation. Recently, Mercury Marine was proud to partner with the Brunswick Corporation Black Professionals Network for a day focused on growing the future of fishing. The day began with a panel discussion featuring Mercury Pro Team angler Mark Daniels Jr., Mercury dealer Ben Schmoldt and Mercury's Ryan Mereness. Together, they shared their experiences in tournament fishing, discussed how the sport has evolved and explored what our industry can do to ensure it continues to thrive for generations to come. From there, the group partnered with Ebony Vision's Play, Read, Belong summer program, bringing fishing to life for more than 60 local children. Thanks to generous product donations, every participant received a fishing rod, tackle and gear, but more importantly, they spent time learning from mentors who shared how fishing can build confidence, create lasting connections and provide a positive outlet throughout life. The day concluded back at Mercury Marine with a meet and greet where employees connected with Mark, enjoyed desserts from Ebony Vision and joined conversations with local organizations including Anglers for Tomorrow, Fish Quest and Water and Wings about expanding opportunities for youth and women in fishing. A special thank you to Mercury Marine's Tammy for her incredible leadership in coordinating this event from start to finish. Bringing together partners, employees, community organizations and young anglers for a day like this takes tremendous dedication, and we're grateful for everything she did to make it a success. A sincere thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Together, we're helping ensure the next generation doesn't just discover fishing they discover the community, mentorship and lifelong opportunities that come with it.