Jasmine on what Sista Skate means: In the earlier days, a lot of rap and hip hop and R&B artists could only really perform at roller skating rinks, specifically on the adult nights or the soul nights, what tended to be categorized as the Black nights. But for a lot of major artists like Ice Cube and Queen Latifah, roller rinks cemented their place in the music industry because those were the first venues that allowed them to take up space. What Sista Skate means is to not be afraid to take up space and stand in your identity. Kelsey on pursuing something you love, even if it might be intimidating: Be patient with yourself and find peace in being bad at something. If you keep showing up, you get more evidence and more knowledge of how capable you are. Just like with skating, every time you experience something new, you're like, "Oh, I can never do that," and then weeks go by, or months and you reflect back and it just reminds you that we're very capable. You can literally do anything. Because if we can skate on these little Tonka trucks and look cool and fluid, it just really opens your mind. So be patient with yourself, be calm with yourself and take your time, because the beginning is always the most exciting. Kamry on honouring the process: In our society, we’re taught that you have to be really good at something. In grade school, if you're not making A's then that means you shouldn't pursue it. And with roller skating, I learned that you don't have to be the best, you don't have to learn this certain skate move that everybody's doing to enjoy it. It's really about the process. The life lesson that I learned is that it really isn't about the destination, it’s about the journey. You learn so much about yourself on that journey. It's so beautiful finding the joy within roller skating. That's why I go out and pursue it every day. I might not be the best at it, but when people see me roller skating, they see the joy that just comes out of me. Jasmine on taking up space: I think growing up, especially as a Black woman, you're constantly battling beauty standards and different, impossible standards that the world is enforcing on you. In terms of finding myself and stepping into my own individuality, I had to understand that as much as it's important to take up the space that already exists, you can create your own space. Being able to have my platform and work with Sista Skate, I've better learned how to create space and how to help other individuals create spaces for themselves. Kelsey on finding courage: I feel like skating gave me the courage to be who I've always wanted to be — or to begin to step into that. There's something about lacing up and putting on wheels. You literally feel like a whole different kind of free. It has been this badge of courage that I wear, and it's opened me up. I've been able to reintroduce myself to myself and be that inner badass that I've always been too scared to fully express. It's made me bolder and it's shown me that it's okay to step into the light. Jasmine on freedom: Freedom has an evolving definition for me. I think it exists on several planes of who I am as an individual: on a mental level, on a physical level and on an emotional level. With roller skating, I don't know any other hobby or lifestyle choice that has dug so intrinsically into who I am as an individual. It helped me seek that freedom and mental liberation for myself. I think there are so many constraining forces that we — specifically as Black women — have to face on a daily basis. Having something as fun as roller skating be our form of resistance, our form of expressing joy and freedom, is just really beautiful. It's emblematic of who we are as individuals and who we aspire to be. Kelsey on freedom: Freedom can be hit from so many angles, but right now, in this moment, it feels true to say that it's having the choice to choose how I look at something. In relation to skating, you can be whoever you want that day. You can let out your inner kid. You can be grown and sexy, you can be silly. You have the freedom to trust yourself, to fall and get up and to not let social constructs control how you see yourself. When you do it on wheels, you feel unstoppable. You tap into something and just vibrate at a higher energy. Kamry on giving back: I feel the best way to give back to other Black women is, first, to start giving myself grace. To start giving myself the time I need to heal and work on myself to become a better person so that I can inspire other people to do the same. Cree on gratitude: I'm so grateful for the Sista Skate community and the friendship. I don't know how many times I've cried with Kamry on the phone or through a voice note. Beautiful relationships have come from skating. @sistaskate_ @kamrylorin @the_good_guy91 @amazingcree @justseconds Cree wears the Corelli Cardigan, Soloist Top, Sail Poplin 3” Short, Frenchy Blouse, Lydia Top and Brennan Pant. Jasmine wears The Effortless 5” Short, Lorelei Dress, Lydia Halter Top, Audio Top and Jupiter Jean. Kamry wears the Chill Malibu Dress, Soloist Top, Buttercup Skirt, Natalie Top and Saturn Mini Skirt. Kelsey wears the SinchSeamless™ Tank, Olive Micro Pleated Skirt, Chill Malibu Cropped T-Shirt, Chill Atmosphere Hi-Rise 3" Short, Tiny Tank, Boyfriend Poplin Shirt, Maeve Cargo Pant and Gelato Linen Short.