{"id":2295,"date":"2022-10-04T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mildsauce.org\/?p=2295"},"modified":"2022-10-03T22:45:05","modified_gmt":"2022-10-04T03:45:05","slug":"black-girls-skate-chicago-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mildsauce.org\/index.php\/2022\/10\/04\/black-girls-skate-chicago-style\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Girls Skate: Chicago Style"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s never too late to allow your inner Sk8ter Girl\u00f0\u0178\u203a\u00b9 to blossom. In a field dominated by men<\/a>, Black Girls Skate is creating a community for women, specifically women of color, to come, connect and skate. Black Girls Skate<\/a>, also known as BGS, is an organization dedicated to raising skater visibility and creating a safe and inviting space for female-identifying skaters of all levels and niches. Skateboarders, roller skaters, WCMX skaters, and ice skaters are all welcome. BGS wants skate lovers to get out and move because if the past couple of years has taught us anything, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s to never take advantage of human connection and movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Skateboarders and roller skaters at The House of Vans (Photo\/Tajah Ware)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DJ Gooden, founder of Black Girls Skate, is passionate about curating a space for black girls to celebrate themselves and others and not feel judged or ridiculed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We exist to create equity, awareness, and visibility for people who look like us in the skate community,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d they explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“… if the past couple of years has taught us anything, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s to never take advantage of human connection and movement.”<\/p>Tajah Ware<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

BGS’s mission is clear, and their events uphold what they aim to do: create community. BGS has been on a national tour all summer. One of their last Midwest stops was at the House of Vans in Chicago. “We host these events so people can get out, network, meet their fellow skaters in the community, and learn new things,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Gooden. “We learn more together.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pop-ups promote good vibes, positive learning experiences, inclusion, and good music. After attending the BGS pop-up in Chicago, I must say: this organization’s intention holds up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A participant skates towards a half ramp (Photo\/Tajah Ware)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

THE EVENT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Within the Windy City lies thousands of niche fitness communities. You have your runners, hot girl walkers, bikers, and skaters. Until recently, I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t aware that Chicago had a large skater community. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We exist everywhere, we are skating everywhere,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gooden states. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is why we decided to go on tour.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A skateboard deck wall displayed over a bar at The House of Vans (Photo\/Tajah Ware)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

BGS has been on their 3rd Annual Popup Tour<\/a> since the beginning of the summer. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve popped up in L.A., Philly, and at the end of August, BGS touched down in the Chi to set up shop at The House of Vans<\/a>. The event took place on a Sunday, and the energy in the space was palpable. Skaters of all types glided and flipped throughout the indoor skating area. Smiles were plastered across every face I saw. There were Gen Z\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ers, Millennials, and Gen X\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ers co-existing and doing what they love best: skating. An energy of love, respect, and safety filled the room. Everyone knew they were welcomed, supported, and seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yahshi Rice, a Chicago native, was inspired to get out and attend the BGS event because of all the chaos that has taken place within the last year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yahshi Rice raves about the importance of getting out (Photo\/Tajah Ware)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was inspired to get out because I understand that in <\/strong>this life, you only have so much time to be able to exercise, live and be around good spirits,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Rice. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Finding and seeking out things to keep you happy and motivated through these rough times is important. Getting out to Black Girls Skate is one of the most amazing things for me this summer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dii, a skater from the Chicagoland area who found out about Black Girls Skate on Instagram, came out to connect and find community. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I figured there would be more people that were black and were skaters that I could connect and link up with,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dii says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wanted to connect with people from all over but also find community within the black and femme Chicago skate scene.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dii explains wanting to find community in the skate scene in Chicago (Photo\/Tajah Ware)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The desire for community, representation, and connection is why so many of the women at the event came out. Whether they were dancing with one another to the sonic sounds of DJ Bonita Appleblunt<\/a>, or trying out new tricks and being cheered on by their fellow skaters, everyone knew they were surrounded by love, guidance, and sisterhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DJ Appleblunt playing for the Black Girls Skate event at The House of Vans (Photo\/Tajah Ware)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

BLACK GIRLS SKATE; MISSION ACCOMPLISHED  <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sure what to expect when I headed into the BGS event. However, as soon as I walked into that building I was instantly overcome with comfort, ease, and the feeling of belonging. The space was filled with good vibes, creativity, laughter, and, most of all, support. I had never been a part of the skate community, but I left wondering\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u0153maybe I should try it out?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pictured Left: A skater grinds in the center of House of Vans skating area. Pictured Right: A roller skater and young skateboarder cross paths in the center of the skate area (Photos\/ Tajah Ware)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I saw roller skaters and skateboarders watching and learning from one another. I saw BGS members lending a hand to new skaters. I saw little girls doing tricks on ramps and being applauded by grown women. I saw community. I saw inclusivity and I saw Black Girls Skate doing what they do best: bringing people together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We host these events so people can get out, network, meet their fellow skaters in the community, and learn new things,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>DJ Gooden, Founder of Black Girls Skate<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so important to get out and get moving. You never know where life will take you, who you will meet, or who you will become. But you do have control over where you go and who you spend your time with. After hanging out with Black Girls Skate, I realized how important it is to honor your body, to honor movement, and to honor genuine connection. So, keep that in mind the next time you decide to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Get Out!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Always put yourself in environments where you are encouraged to grow, love, and build community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We challenged our Mildsauce journalists to explore and create narratives around this month\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s theme, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Get Out!<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153. Their stories explore getting out in diverse ways, from getting out into nature, to getting out of your own head.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sure what to expect when I headed into the BGS event. However, as soon as I walked into that building I was instantly overcome with comfort, ease, and the feeling of belonging.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":2317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[357],"tags":[364,369,368,358,367,370,131,129],"class_list":{"0":"post-2295","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-the-get-out-issue","8":"tag-black-girls-skate","9":"tag-community","10":"tag-dj-gooden","11":"tag-get-out","12":"tag-house-of-vans","13":"tag-rollerskating","14":"tag-skate","15":"tag-skateboard"},"yoast_head":"\nBlack Girls Skate: Chicago Style - Mildsauce<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I wasn't sure what to expect when I walked into the BGS event... 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