About Us

Founded in 2019, Black Girls Skate (BGS) is a brand and non-profit organization empowering skaters who identify as Black, African, or Of Color, as well as women, differently-abled individuals, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. We create inclusive spaces to amplify diverse voices, celebrate all skate styles, and foster a supportive community. We've empowered hundreds of skaters through workshops, events, grants, and community building. We are shaping the future of inclusive skating. Join us in rolling towards a more equitable future.

Our mission is to increase the visibility of skaters and promote safety practices, while also creating positive and safe spaces for individuals new to skating, those aspiring to improve, and professional skaters. We are committed to building equity for groups that have historically been marginalized within skate culture and its evolving industries.

Initiatives

We're building a stronger, more inclusive skate community through a range of impactful initiatives. From promoting safe spaces and providing essential gear to advocating for skating in education and supporting local skate spots, we're committed to empowering skaters of all backgrounds and abilities. Learn more about how we're making a difference through our initiatives below. You can also see our work here.

Maintain Safe Space

Host Pop Up Events

Increase Accessibility

We provide education and empower communities on maintaining safe spaces where everyone feels safe to come out to skate & learn. No matter their identity and/or ability. Whether it's your first time or you're a pro, you should feel welcomed, safe, and included in the skate community!

We travel to communities around the country to promote safe skate spaces, safety, community building, equity, and awareness. We have hosted giveaways, community conversations, given lessons, and educated participants on the importance of safety, safe space, and self-care.

We want to continue to improve the accessibility of skate industries! We are committed to creating spaces, events, products, and more that don't exclude people based on cost, ability, and other obstacles that prevent equitable entry into the skate community.

Increase Safety Practices

Here at BGS, safety is one of the highest priorities. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is necessary and essential for skaters! Preventable injuries and illness are not. We not only teach safe skate practices but provide and give away PPE at our events. Helmets, pads, first aid kits, and more, we want to ensure your skate journey is long and successful!

Facilitate Carebox Program

We construct Careboxes to activate skaters in various ways. Filled with collections of resources, swag, gear, and tailored to the type of skater and their needs.

Skate Space TLC

We want to maintain and empower local communities to maintain skate spaces. Cleaning, repairing, and beautifying these spaces increases the safety, appeal, and longevity of the space. We want to leave each space better than we found it. Skate space advocacy and advancement!

Skate Spaces in Education & NIL

Skating is an Olympic sport! Speed skating, figure skating, and skateboarding are all Olympic events. We want to see more of it in education at all levels. We want more universities to include skating in their curriculum and sports programs. We want skaters to have access to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) through skating!

Meet Our Team

Founder / Team Lead

D.J. Gooden - they/them/theirs

"I have been skateboarding for over 20 years and started roller skating during the pandemic. I discovered transition skating at Venice Beach skatepark and I knew right away I wanted to learn."

Co-Founder / Board Member

Younna Gooden - she/her/hers

"I started inline skating around my neighborhood as a pre-teen. And although bad it, I would imagine myself playing street hockey. As a teenager, I began roller skating at our city skating rinks and I’ve been roller skating ever since. My older sister has tried several times getting me on a skateboard, but I can’t get those foot mechanic right."

Team Member

Nico DeGallo - they/them/theirs

"My cousin Millie introduced me to rollerskating when I was pretty young. We would skate our neighborhood for hours on end and it was one of my favorite things to do. Like a lot of other skaters in my local scene, I picked it up again in 2020."

Board Member

Wanda Gooden - she/her/hers

"I used to skate when I was a young lady. Just retired and wanted to give it a go again."

Team Member

Jovonni Fleming - he/him/his

"I’ve been around skating my entire life. From riding down hills on a skateboard to hanging with my friends at the roller rink on the weekends, skating has been a part of me. When I moved to Los Angles, I fell in love with the longboard. Now, getting around on the longboard has become my favorite and most preferred mode of transportation."

Board Member

April Lash - she/her/hers

"April Lash is a practicing attorney in New York and Georgia. She builds her firm on trust, respect, and relatability. She is the founder of The Wynn Lash Law Office, LLC and has a Non-Profit for Abandoned Children."

Team Member

Mia Vesely - she/her/hers

"I discovered BGS in 2020 after picking up skateboarding as a hobby during quarantine. I am still a beginner skater, but one of the joys of this community is the support & representation of various styles and levels of skating."

Board Member

Ameera Haamid, MD - she/her/hers

"Dr. Ameera Haamid is an Emergency Medicine physician who also serves as the Associate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director of the Chicago South EMS System, which provides medical oversight for multiple emergency medical service agencies. She develops education and initiatives concerning health equity, structural racism, and social justice for medical professionals."

Team Member

Maria Hotson - she/her/hers

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Board Member

Kendal Troutman - she/her/hers

"Founder and executive director of Thru Guidance Ministries; a California-based nonprofit committed to destroying barriers of poverty and cycles of violence in underserved communities. As a native of South-Central Los Angeles, Kendal knows firsthand how the vicious cycle of poverty plagues people in distressed communities that lack advantages and resources necessary to support their success. It was through these experiences that set her on the path to make a difference in the community. "

We Need Your Support!

DONATE

Your donations empowers us to provide equipment, training, workshops, events, grants, and community-building opportunities! Donate, Collaborate, Follow Us, and Share Our Work!