Meet Stacie Watkins | Admin of BLACK SKATE SAN DIEGO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stacie Watkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacie, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision I had to make was actually starting having the fear if I was good enough an if my organization was going to be good enough it was definitely a “dive in” moment.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
hello my name is Stacie I’m admin of BLACK SKATE SAN DIEGO. I started my group about two years ago. We plan rollerskating events to help support the black community in San Diego. What I love about my group an why were so different is? we are so diverse, we get support all races Yes I know when u see BLACK SKATE SAN DIEGO already u think .”damn I’m not black I cant be a part of it.” Your wrong u can just pull up. I’m tremendously proud of my skate group how much we have grown. When we started it was 250 members as of today we are at 1.1k members world wide. I most definitely believe that we got to we’re we are today is just being consistent. One I remember specifically was we were a year in and all of us just love skating together on this day it was raining and we didn’t want to cancel class, so yes we skated in the rain. It was a very victorious moment, because when you think of rollerskating outside rain is our kryptonite, but it wasn’t that day.
One of the biggest challenge is I face in being the admin of a large group is having kids. I am a single mother of two children one child being on the spectrum. There are a lot of times that I feel guilty when bringing her to class because I’ve worry if she’s going to be in the way what are people going to think. It’s definitely a “dive in” moment. With time an lots of love an support Ifrom my village I’m able to bring my lil baby girl to class she skates around as well an I’m still able to teach in a safe environment.
One of the biggest lessons I learned is don’t listen to everyone especially the people that are not contributing to your peace, or making you a better person. “X that right on out honey.” Ok.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So first of all, I’m a tell you coming to San Diego is the best city you’ll ever visit just because we have the best weather now as a roller skater, especially Skating outside I’m gonna take you to lomita park in Balboa on Saturdays do you want to eat something I Gotchu Surf an Soul off of El Cajon Blvd. Best soul food in San Diego. Do you want to hit up the club I Gotchu we going to the gaslamp downtown San Diego to VIBEZ nightclub and then on Sunday everybody goes to the beach Mission Beach San Diego can’t wait to see u

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to PJ an Lisa from the old school skaters my roller skating mentors. Thank u for always supporting me and my black skate community you have always been there I love u always.

Instagram: Blksk8_sd

Facebook: Black skate San Diego

Image Credits
Stacie watkins