Located in the #MotorCity, also known as #Detroit, Michigan, figure skaters #CandiceTamakloe and #AngelaBlockerLoyd have turned their passion project into reality by founding the #DreamDetroitSkatingAcademy!
They met as kids from skating just outside of Detroit and reunited as adults years later. During their reunion, both happened to have interest in starting a figure skating program which lead to them launching what would become the first Black women-owned skating club in Michigan!
Today, the academy consists of a seven-member team of African-American women coaches, which isn’t commonly seen in the skating industry, according to Blocker-Loyd.
With this program in motion, the goal is to expose young girls of color to try something new—like figure skating—without worrying about family income or access to opportunities like this. They also want to show that skating is not only active and entertaining during the Olympics and that it can be enjoyed year-round!
This program gives kids something to look forward to learning in this forever-changing world and be proud to show off. According to the founders, figure skating is “a sport that’s going to carry you through life. There are a lot of life lessons in skating: You have to be disciplined, you have to be consistent, and that’s the same thing you carry over into your adult life.”
Through sharing their interests, these women have created a space for young girls and women of color to explore skating, have a community of healthy competition, see women who look like them, and think: “If they can do it, so can I!”
Dream Detroit currently holds five-week sessions on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at #AdamsButzelRecreationCenter‘s #JackAdamsMemorialArena. They offer kid sessions as well as adult sessions! All skill levels are welcome. Tell our Detroit queens we said hey and check them out! #BWLM💕
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