The Bros Fresh turn purpose into action with Tankproof, expanding access to swim lessons and food support across communities
Music may have introduced audiences to The Bros Fresh, but brothers Torrence Thomas and Thurman Thomas say their biggest impact often happens far away from the stage.
Through their nonprofit Tankproof, the duo is working to expand access to swim lessons, promote water safety, and support underserved communities—starting in their home state of Louisiana and now growing across Austin and beyond.
On We Are Austin, Sierra Waggoner welcomed the brothers back to talk about the origins of Tankproof, how it has evolved over the years, and why its mission has become deeply personal.
On We Are Austin, Sierra Waggoner welcomed the brothers back to talk about the origins of Tankproof, how it has evolved over the years, and why its mission has become deeply personal.
Tankproof began after a tragic drowning incident in Louisiana that struck close to home and sparked a larger conversation about water safety and access to swim education.
“Tankproof started in 2011,” Thomas said. “In 2010, there was a terrible tragedy in our home state of Louisiana—about six family members drowned. They all looked like us.”
“Tankproof started in 2011,” Thomas said. “In 2010, there was a terrible tragedy in our home state of Louisiana—about six family members drowned. They all looked like us.”
That moment led them to question long-standing stereotypes and gaps in access to swim education.
“We were thinking, has the stereotype that Black people don’t swim got some truth to it? And if so, why?” Thomas said. “We went down the rabbit hole and realized this is a real problem—but also a very solvable one.”
What started as a small idea quickly turned into action.
Now based in Austin, the brothers say the city has played a major role in helping the organization grow.
“We didn’t even have a plan to create an organization,” Thomas said. “We just wanted to do something. We sold merch—tank tops—to raise money to help kids learn how to swim. That’s where the name Tankproof came from.”
The early efforts grew organically, fueled by community demand.
“We were thinking, has the stereotype that Black people don’t swim got some truth to it? And if so, why?” Thomas said. “We went down the rabbit hole and realized this is a real problem—but also a very solvable one.”
“We did it one year, and then people came back like, ‘Hey, you doing that thing again?'” Thomas said. “So we kept going, and it grew year after year.”
“We didn’t even have a plan to create an organization,” Thomas said. “We just wanted to do something. We sold merch—tank tops—to raise money to help kids learn how to swim. That’s where the name Tankproof came from.”
Eventually, that grassroots effort evolved into a formal nonprofit with expanding reach.
“By year three, it became an official organization,” Thomas said. “We eventually expanded out of Louisiana and into Austin and other sites nationally.”
Now based in Austin, the brothers say the city has played a major role in helping the organization grow.
“Austin is the number one city in the country per capita for nonprofits,” Thomas said. “The community here is like no other.”
While swim safety remains the foundation, Tankproof has also expanded its mission to include addressing food insecurity.
“During COVID, a lot of kids in our neighborhood couldn’t get to their local school cafeterias,” Thomas said. “So we partnered with local businesses to buy food and distribute it to families in need.”
That effort became especially urgent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During COVID, a lot of kids in our neighborhood couldn’t get to their local school cafeterias,” Thomas said. “So we partnered with local businesses to buy food and distribute it to families in need.”
What began as emergency relief has continued as a weekly effort in Austin.
“Every Saturday, we pick up from Trader Joe’s and head to East Austin,” Thomas said. “We show up with a full grocery haul for families. Rain, sleet, snow or shine.”
For the brothers, consistency matters just as much as scale.
“One of the best things about it is the consistency and simplicity,” Thomas said. “It doesn’t take a lot to do a lot of good.”
“Every Saturday, we pick up from Trader Joe’s and head to East Austin,” Thomas said. “We show up with a full grocery haul for families. Rain, sleet, snow or shine.”
Even as their music career grows, they say Tankproof remains the core of their purpose.
“This is the real work that gets us up every day,” Thomas said. “We can go perform, but this is what really makes the difference.”
They also hope their story encourages others with platforms—big or small—to take action.
“It starts with caring,” Thomas said. “You may not be the one to lead the charge, but you can support someone who is.”
Community members can learn more about Tankproof, support its mission, and get involved by visiting the organization online at tankproof.org.
Community members can learn more about Tankproof, support its mission, and get involved by visiting the organization online or following along on social media.