New Generation of Black skateboarders

[BLACKBOARD 25]

Growing up in NYC I only saw one black person skateboarding. He went to school in Cali and when he came for vacation one summer he brought his board. The neighborhood kids including myself looked at him craze. Like what are you doing on a board that white folk’s sport. Now of days I realize the new generation is picking up the board and skating through the streets likes it's nothing. I realize the new culture of blacks is so open minding to trying out new things and making the old generation re-evaluating their way of thinking.

BLACKBOARD 25
Skateboard for a cause :0

[Compound Egret]

It is really good to see more Black and Latino skaters. It's also trippy to leaf through the magazines and see multiple Black skaters on different teams killing it as opposed to an occasional rare pic. Time marches on.

[Rosenda]

It is really cool. When I moved back here to my old neighborhood, the building that used to house an old shoe repair shop when i was a kid was finally bought by these two guys and they opened up a skate shop about 3 years ago.

I like seeing the brothers and latinos here all skating. And I've noticed it's year round, girls and boys, fathers and sons out there doing the flips all around here. My neighbor down the street said their business has totally taken off here and they just moved to a bigger building about 6 blocks up the street now.

[BLACKBOARD 25]

Hey Compound thanks for replying.

I'm Black and female in the skateboard industry trust me it's hard. They expect a guy when it comes to the business and when I show up they assume I should be a white female. As good it may be to see blacks in skate mags. I wish more blacks was in the industry. You have a voice hope you Join the group.

BLACKBOARD 25
Skateboard for a cause : 0

[Amethyst.]

Its so nice to see other Black Female skaters. When I skateboard, people look at me like Im crazy and shouldnt be riding. When I walk in skate shops, all I really see are white males, the occasional white females, and rarely a black male. Never any black females. Even my mom thinks Im crazy. But I love to skate. Thanks for posting this.

[CocoaPuss Zine]

I want to skate so I can teach my son, but I'm afraid of busting my ass or knocking out my teeth. Is that inevitable? I wish I could take lessons from one of you.

[BLACKBOARD 25]

Hey Cocoa, don’t be scared!

To be honest I just started to learn how to cruise on my board doing the fall. I wasn’t the type that wanted to learn how to board. I was the type that wanted to create boards for my friends. But on the bright side of things I haven't fallen yet but I’m not on my board doing tricks.

I couldn't allow my friends to teach me because they are not patient. It's like asking your dad or a family member to teach you how to drive with out knowing anything about driving. It won't work, you have to go to a driver school then ask family for lessons to perfect your driving skills; In my case at least.
Anyway my bro and I got a beginners skateboard CD from spitfire and we practiced. His good and all but I'm a little behind. It's hard when you start at an older age because we become fearful like you said of falling and losing teeth.

I would recommend that you and your son purchase a sport mouth guard at modell’s sporting store. Price range $19.99.
If you are in NY check this place out: http://www.skateboardingschool.com/schedule.html
They take in all age groups and you get a chance to learn how to skateboard with your son.

Good luck

BLACKBOARD 25
Skateboard for a cause :0

FYI If you like our decks you can purchase them at www.blackboard25.com.

[Dj Complex]

Skating is just a thing....and people are starting to see that.....
its just something to do.....
my goal now it to smash the stereotype of the "Black Skateboarder"
because Pharrell & Lupe fiasco don't represent me.....
Skating is just a thing.....to do....
its like telling ya girlfriend.... "Ayo ima go down to the park to ball real quick"
(ball = to play basketball....for all you non New Yorkers out there)
Im a really hood ass dude......and the way popular media portrays black skaters (except Stevie Williams and maybe TK)
as some ol colorful shirt wearing....skinny jeans rockin....nerdy ass niggas....
fuck that.....
Its also kinda corny (to me...at least) to use skating as a gimmick for rap......
Niggas going to be Soccer rappers next.....music video on the soccer field......dude gotta a platinum soccer ball chain around his neck......FUCK OUTTA HERE !

[BLACKBOARD 25]

Lol you are so right DJ

It was shock to see little Wayne rocking a Zoo York tee in his video. You in NY You said, do you go to the skateboard events such a back to the banks, Carnage KCDC and so on. You see all type of black skaters but you are right most of them are wearing the skinny jeans, bright tees and so on. But you have to understand the 80s and early 90s look are coming back and yes Kanye West image is in.

When I first started designing SB (skateboard) tees they were more of a hip-hop style. Black skaters were stand off-ish about the line and most SB stores did not want to pick the brand. But our new line of tees is coming out in July it will accommodate skaters, non-skaters, hip-hop skaters and all.

If you are interested BlackBoard 25 are sponsoring skaters for spring 2010. E-mail us on our site www.blackboard25.com, we will email you back with our requirements and we will put you on our sponsorship list for next year.

BlackBoard 25
Skateboard for a cause :0

[Dj Complex]

I just moved from NYC.....last October.....
Im starting a street wear company in Florida.....
we should colab sometimes.....

BLACKBOARD 25 said:

Lol you are so right DJ

It was shock to see little Wayne rocking a Zoo York tee in his video. You in NY You said, do you go to the skateboard events such a back to the banks, Carnage KCDC and so on. You see all type of black skaters but you are right most of them are wearing the skinny jeans, bright tees and so on. But you have to understand the 80s and early 90s look are coming back and yes Kanye West image is in.

When I first started designing SB (skateboard) tees they were more of a hip-hop style. Black skaters were stand off-ish about the line and most SB stores did not want to pick the brand. But our new line of tees is coming out in July it will accommodate skaters, non-skaters, hip-hop skaters and all.

If you are interested BlackBoard 25 are sponsoring skaters for spring 2010. E-mail us on our site www.blackboard25.com, we will email you back with our requirements and we will put you on our sponsorship list for next year.

BlackBoard 25
Skateboard for a cause :0

[CocoaPuss Zine]

i don't live in nyc. i'm sad now. i'm sure seattle has some skate stuff around somewhere. we have the vera project, which is like a under 21 hangout place with art and shows and shit so maybe they would know something. i'm trying to be a kool mama and my son is really sporty and he's only three. i think this is gonna be our summer to learn how to skateboard, after we buy the mouth guards of course.

[jahluv]

I smile when I see Black guys skating out on the streets and in the skating videos. I skated back in the 70s and 80s and just like the Black punk rock thing - I knew all the Black guys who skated at parks and in pools back then. There weren't that many of us!

I talked about it quite a bit on the old AP board. I won't rehash it here, check these threads:
http://oldcommunity.afropunk.com/viewtopic.php?t=11061
http://oldcommunity.afropunk.com/viewtopic.php?t=17206

Glad to see a sista skating - there were hardly any ladies riding when I was into it, and they usually were into the flatland/freestyle stuff. Only remember one girl riding pools and stuff - but that was 20 years ago!

[BLACKBOARD 25]

Hey Jahluv

Do you think you can still rip it on a board. Thanks for replying

BLACKBOARD 25
Skateboard for a cause :0