Gia Wright is a committed and multifaceted professional with expertise in education, athletics, and institutional partnerships. A native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Gia relocated to pursue higher education at North Carolina A&T State University, where she excelled as a scholarship athlete on the swim team. In recognition of her achievements, she was honored as Female Athlete of the Year upon her graduation. Gia earned a Bachelor’s degree in English/Secondary Education and later pursued a Master’s degree in English/African American Literature, concurrently serving as a Graduate Assistant Swim Coach.
Currently, Gia serves as the Articulation and Transfer Coordinator and a professor at Johnson C. Smith University. In this role, she has been instrumental in cultivating strategic partnerships between JCSU and community colleges, facilitating seamless transitions for students pursuing a four-year degree. In addition to her administrative work, she has taught foundational courses such as Smith Seminar and Academic Research, which equip students with the essential tools for academic success.
Beyond her academic and professional endeavors, Gia is the co-owner of W3 SWIM, a business she founded alongside her sisters, Kirsten and Czamille, with a mission to diversify the sport of swimming through innovative swim instruction and community outreach. Her leadership extends to her role as Head Swim Coach and as an instructor in adult swim clinics at Evolutionary Aquatics, Charlotte’s only Black-owned Masters Swim Team. Passionate about diversity and inclusion within the sport, Gia authored My Ancestors Smile When We Swim, a book that explores the intersection of Black History and competitive swimming. Through this work, she aims to foster a deeper connection to the sport and promote swimming education in historically underrepresented communities.