# Event Details - **Event Name**: DIVING INTO DIVERSITY: Building Belonging Beneath the Surface - **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 25 Jun, 2026 at 07:00 pm – Thu, 25 Jun, 2026 at 08:00 pm - **Event Description**: Ocean Hoptimism turns 1! Celebrate with Niko Kowell, who's building belonging, community, & underwater connection for LGBTQ+ people.About this EventDIVING INTO DIVERSITY: Building Belonging Beneath the Surfacew/ special guestNiko Kowell, Narwhal DiversFREE and open to all!One year in. Still making waves.In June, Ocean Hoptimism turns one year old!What began as an experiment in gathering — bringing people together around ocean stories, science, exploration, joy, uncertainty, and action — has grown into a community.Month after month, this space has filled with divers, scientists, artists, advocates, students, fishers, explorers, policy wonks, photographers, beer lovers, and curious newcomers looking for something increasingly rare: a way to stay engaged with the ocean without surrendering either honesty or hope.So for our anniversary month — and our Pride Month celebration — we wanted an evening that reflects the spirit of what Ocean Hoptimism has always tried to be: welcoming, grounded, adventurous, community-driven, and deeply connected to the water.That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome Niko Kowell, founder of Narwhal Divers in San Francisco. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/b151e560-6bd0-11f1-a84e-c9a8a474aab0-rimg-w555-h740-dca9a8a5-gmir.jpg Niko brings with him a lifetime shaped by both activism and the ocean. A proud trans and queer advocate, he began organizing as a teenager after founding his high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance in Cincinnati, later building a long career in LGBTQ community health and advocacy in San Francisco before turning his focus fully toward diving and ocean community building.Niko’s been diving for more than 20 years—from Monterey kelp forests to advanced cold-water training, from teaching new divers to serving as Dive Safety Officer at Aquarium of the Bay, Niko has built a life deeply tied to the water and the communities formed around it.Through initiatives like the Queer & Trans Dive Club, he has helped create welcoming pathways into the underwater world for people who may not always see themselves reflected in traditional ocean spaces — building a dive community rooted in curiosity, safety, respect, and belonging.That work now exists alongside a more complicated reality as well. Narwhal Divers has openly addressed the growing challenges many trans travelers face navigating international travel, identity documents, and border crossings — offering practical guidance and support for divers moving through an increasingly uncertain landscape.Because the future of ocean conservation depends not only on science and policy, but on who feels invited into relationship with the ocean in the first place. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events3/banners/b1ad24c0-6bd0-11f1-8e26-a16ef3e2c691-rimg-w1077-h740-dcd8efec-gmir.jpg “If it exists in nature, it’s not unnatural for humans. In times when life is challenging, the ocean is the one place I can go to find peace. The moment I drop underwater, everything just fades away and I find a sense of calm. We owe it to each other and the future generations to do as much as we can to save our ocean.”—Niko KowellOn June 25, Niko joins us for — a conversation exploring the ways water can challenge us, transform us, connect us, and sometimes even help us rediscover ourselves.And fittingly, this evening is also a celebration: One full year of Ocean Hoptimism. The communities that have formed around these gatherings. Pride Month and the people helping expand who feels welcome in ocean spaces. And the simple fact that even in difficult times, people still keep showing up for the sea — and for each other.Join us at Faction Brewing for an evening of conversation, community, reflection, and ocean joy along the Bay. And some birthday cake too!Bring friends. Bring stories. Bring the people who still believe gathering together matters.Because one year later, that belief feels more important than ever. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/b1fc5630-6bd0-11f1-9ce5-b93e98f8d117-rimg-w1200-h676-dc016571-gmir.jpg About Ocean HoptimismOcean Hoptimism is a free, monthly Bay Area series that spotlights stories of ocean resilience, hope, and action — all served with a side of craft beer and community connection. Hosted in partnership with Faction Brewing in Alameda, Ocean Hoptimism brings together ocean champions, storytellers, and community builders who believe that optimism isn’t just a feeling — it’s a force for change and essential fuel for ocean conservation. Our vision is to build a movement rooted in possibility, resilience, and a shared commitment to a thriving ocean future. Join us every fourth Thursday of the month at Faction Brewingfor a new, inspirational Ocean Hoptimism speaker!www.oceanhoptimism.orgThursday, June 25, 20267:00 - 8:00 PM PDTFaction Brewing, Alameda, CA - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/alameda/diving-into-diversity-building-belonging-beneath-the-surface/100001990930717370 - **Event Categories**: lgbt-pride, science-fair, contests, workshops, health-wellness, art, photography - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Age Limit: all_ages - door_time: 2026-06-26T01:30:00Z - Duration: 1 hour - Location: Faction Brewing - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Alameda - **state**: CA - **country**: United States - **location**: Faction Brewing - **lat**: 37.7867214 - **long**: -122.3097144 - **full address**: Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch Street, Alameda, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: DIVING INTO DIVERSITY: Building Belonging Beneath the Surface - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/dca330ed19859c487f98afdbc77502f88a70c63bab4104472a7a6477e08fc569-rimg-w1200-h900-dc0137aa-gmir.jpg?v=1780476678 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is DIVING INTO DIVERSITY: Building Belonging Beneath the Surface being held? - **A:** DIVING INTO DIVERSITY: Building Belonging Beneath the Surface takes place on Thu, 25 Jun, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Thu, 25 Jun, 2026 at 08:00 pm at Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch Street, Alameda, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing DIVING INTO DIVERSITY: Building Belonging Beneath the Surface? - **A:** DIVING INTO DIVERSITY: Building Belonging Beneath the Surface is organized by Ocean Hoptimism. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** DIVING INTO DIVERSITY: Building Belonging Beneath the Surface is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Alameda, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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Open to all and free to attend, this San Francisco Bay Area event sparks inspiration by uniting people who care about our blue planet. Each month features a different ocean expert who shares their work and stories, adding fresh perspectives to the conversation. Great ideas flow when passionate minds connect, and what better way to foster meaningful conversations than over a pint? In a welcoming, relaxed setting, we spotlight new ideas and initiatives aimed at helping the ocean, engage in open dialogue, support a local brewery, and strengthen civic engagement in ocean issues—one sip at a time." } ] } ] ```