A community built through wheels, presence, and purpose.
Black Skate San Diego exists to create space, visibility, healing, and connection through skate culture. This movement is about showing up, being seen, and building something larger than ourselves.
Meet Our Team
Founder / Executive Director
Stacie Watkins
Stacie created Black Skate with a vision to build more than skate sessions. It was created to build space for belonging, visibility, and community through movement. That vision continues to shape how the organization gathers, grows, and creates connection.
PROGRAM CONSULTANT
Talina Guerrero
Lina is a San Diego transplant who was drawn to Black Skate SD in search of community and connection. She hits the floor as a novice skater with a slow and steady approach. She supports the group in an advisory capacity, bringing over 18 years of program management, organizational development, and risk assessment experience alongside a lifelong commitment to social justice, community building, and preserving the rich history of skate culture.
Group Advisor
Andre Roberts
Andre, originally from the DC-Maryland area, moved to San Diego in 2022 and found community at Black Skate San Diego. What Andre loves most about Black Skate San Diego is that it is a community where all are welcome and all can be their true authentic self. Andre is an amateur speed skater and you can often find him zooming around the rink. Serving as an advisor for the group, Andre uses his over 15 years of experience of strategic planning to champion the organizations mission.
Creative Director
Emon King
Emon King is the Creative Director for Black Skate SD, where he leads the organization's branding, photography, video, and visual storytelling. As a skater himself, he is passionate about using design to strengthen community and celebrate skate culture. He is the founder of Virtues Media, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and a graphic designer currently pursuing an MFA in Film Production at San Diego State University.
Grant Writer
Sophia
Bio: Sofia is a native San Diegan and serves as the Grant Writer for Black Skate San Diego. She brings more than 25 years of diverse experience working throughout San Diego County—both inland and along the waterfront—along with a deep regional network to support the critical funding that helps BSSD thrive as a growing nonprofit organization. As a founding member, Sofia considers Black Skate San Diego a vital and affirming safe space for the community. She is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a phenomenal organization and remains committed to advancing its mission..
SKATE INSTRUCTOR
Timothy Stern
Hey, my name is Timothy Stern aka DJ Stern. I am ultimately greatful to be part of Black Skate SD. Volunteering for Black Skate SD has helped me grow as a DJ and a roller skate instructor. I am extremely excited and looking forward to help grow and improve the community.
Skate Instructor
Jay
Hello I'm Jay!.
SKATE INSTRUCTOR
Kaleho
Hello my name is Kaleho Harrall and I’m an instructor for Black Skate San Diego! I was born and raised in Chula Vista and have been rollerskating for over 6 years. Community is something very important to me, and I’m honored to be able to help skaters of all skill levels become more confident on their wheels! Outside of rollerskating I enjoy Polynesian Dancing and playing basketball! Hope to meet you at our next skate session!
SKATE INSTRUCTOR
Olivia
Skating since 2022, Olivia has a passion for rhythm & jam and loves learning new choreo routines. Between jam sessions, you’ll find her skating around SD with light up wheels, funky beats, and a touch of whimsy.
SKATE INSTRUCTOR
TJ
Thomas Harris or known as TJ or Bacon has been skating with Black Skate San Diego for 5 years. As an instructor, teaches new skaters as well as skaters returning back to the hobby. Tj teaches with care and intention, resulting in skaters learning new techniques while gaining confidence on wheels.
Spaces of belonging do not happen by accident. Representation matters. Access matters. Community matters. Black Skate San Diego exists to help create an environment where more people feel welcome to learn, show up fully, and experience the power of movement in a way that feels affirming and shared.
Who We Are
Black Skate San Diego established August 2021 Stacie Watkins urged the feeling to persevere the culture of the Black Community. This fueled her to design a group to be to strengthen the Black community , and bring joy through Roller Skating. Lomita Park once known for gang violence and homicide in the early 90s. This place held a special place in her heart to go back and spread positivity and joy through rollerskating.
What the Movement Means
For us, movement is not only physical. It is social, emotional, and collective. It is what happens when people feel seen, supported, and invited into something bigger than themselves. Through skating, Black Skate creates space for people to connect, grow, and move forward together.
Why It Matters
Community Pillars
01
Build Community
02
Increase
Visibility
03
Expand
Access
04
Create
Joy
Creating consistent spaces to gather, connect, and grow.
Making Black skaters, stories, and presence more seen.
Helping lower barriers to participation through support, knowledge, and shared resources.
Centering freedom, expression, confidence, and collective energy.
From the Community
Support the Movement
Access shouldn’t depend on income.
Every lesson stays free because people choose to keep this movement going. Your donation keeps wheels turning, confidence growing, and representation visible.