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It's a Bacon Egg and Cheese with Bronx Girls Skate
1 Playsin 17 hours
This week Mel Ramirez & Kava Vasquez of Bronx Girls Skate join me on the podcast to talk about community organizing. Servicing their community and inspiring girls and women. How they got the opportunity to create their own Nike SB. What it was like growing up in the Bronx and showing their parents their shoe. How crucial it is to have a community while growing up. What it is like to be doubted and perserver through it and continue to push ahead.
Plus a ton more!
Follow Bronx Girls Skate:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bronxgirlsskate/
Follow Mel:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/h0lymel/
Follow Kava: IG: https://www.instagram.com/uncouthyouth/
Follow The Pod: Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks
Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks
Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/
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Transcript
Art and Skateboarding in the Bronx
00:00:00
Speaker
To a display, our friends at AMPM Gallery recently did a subway-inspired art exhibition. shadow So we got a shadow box and put the shoe as part of it. And because as you know, like, or as you may know, that's that the the the colors of the piping of the satin line, braided satin piping represent the train lines that serve the Bronx, the BD, the 1-2, and the 456. I mean, and it's, again, that's to fire. they fire
00:00:31
Speaker
I love the bottom. i love the the hidden Easter egg. What's the Easter egg? It's chopped cheese.
00:00:41
Speaker
Daddy. No, it's not. What? What is it? It's a bacon, egg and cheese. It is a bacon, egg and cheese. I've been saying that. This is a great debate. That's what everybody says. And then I said when I first got it, I said bacon, egg and cheese. And then people were like, no, it's a chopped cheese. fought hard for that Easter egg. Yeah. It had to be in the shoe.
00:00:58
Speaker
Bacon, egg and cheese, y'all.
Empowering Women in Skateboarding
00:01:05
Speaker
What's good everyone. Welcome back to my first kicks, the podcast where I use sneakers as a through line to get to know my guests. I'm your host Haas and this week I'm joined by the, the one of the most fire SBs I'll say, especially of this year specifically, but Kava and Mel from Bronx Girl Skate Club.
00:01:25
Speaker
I said it right. Ross Girls K Collective. Collective. It's collective. i thought i would miss I've been saying club for like since the jump. My bad. It's all good. People say club. People say crew. We consider ourselves a collective. It's collective. And a com community organization. Yes, for sure. Y'all been doing amazing stuff you got ah an event uh coming 28th uh definitely thought was talk about that 18. it's the 18. i'm trying to see when this comes out this might be after it's okay it's okay but i talk about it a little bit because that even if because if it does if it if i end up getting in this room well do we want to like kind of introduce bronx girls skate to them well hi everyone my name is kava garcia vasquez
00:02:06
Speaker
And I'm Mel Ramirez. Together we're the co-founders of Bronx Girls Skate. we' already new We're a women's skateboarding collective that we created in 2020 to create opportunities for women and girls who skateboard in the Bronx and beyond. Yeah.
00:02:21
Speaker
T. Yeah, we host host we host events. yeah We have youth programming. We do mentorship. We have a skate team of sponsored girls and women that we support. And last but not least, we've done a couple of really dope brand collaborations. ah It's very pivotal. i got to say this off of the jump. Like when I started doing a little bit of research, when y'all got your your collab, i was very like, whoa This is happening in the Bronx. I'm so used to like, you know, Brooklyn. They have the Brooklyn banks and and like that's where like skating for me is like prevalent. Lower East Side, Brooklyn or like because I'm from Queens. So we have that small little skate park in Forest Fleshy Meadows, Fleshy Meadows Park. And so like for me, skate culture has always been huge for me.
00:03:10
Speaker
Bob Burnquist is my I used to lie I used to lie and say he was my cousin because I'm half Brazilian I'd be in school and be like yeah you saw Bob Burnquist on the X Games that's my cousin i was talking to him the other day terrible liar as a kid but ah but ah skating has been part of like the fabric of like me my growing up and so when y'all dropped a shoe I was like This is happening in the Bronx. Like that was so new to me and it's very refreshing. And and then seeing how much y'all do, especially like community outreach and and talking to all the younger women who I feel like, I mean, there's so much against ah skate in in general, but like when it comes to women on top of that as well, and young women, it's got to be super hard. So having a community really like to put, you know, to come together.
00:03:59
Speaker
and like, you know, bond together and build bonds and have somebody to really like when you're going through hardships and stuff like that to really turn turn
Community Events and Bronx Identity
00:04:07
Speaker
to. That's super huge. So you got to say, you know, you're all doing amazing work. That was actually really beautiful thing for to say. Period. Okay. Thank you. um But yeah, talk about the ah real quick about this event that y'all playing on in this is since this is like, you know, recent. So yeah, this is our yearly Summer Jam. Yeah. 2026. This is Jam 5, right? Yes, it's super big. You know, this time we wanted to venture out the Bronx and go to Far Rockaway. Yeah. I was like, when I saw that, I was like, really? Yeah, period. It's time to hit the beach, you know? Yeah. It's it's too hot, too hot to have everybody at the skate park. So might as well have the beach accessible for everybody.
00:04:49
Speaker
That, um like, what was it like throwing in the first one? Because start like doing it coming out of COVID or no, it was still COVID during that time too, right? first event? Yeah. No, our first Summer Jam The Summer Jam specifically. Our first Summer Jam was in 2021 at Van Cortlandt Skate Park. Also a park that we love, but we don't frequent as much because our roots are really at 157 Four River Avenue Skate Park near Yankee Stadium.
00:05:15
Speaker
That's the one I know of because I used to work out. I was out in front of Yankee Stadium and I'd like walk back or walk around because we would run around Yankee Stadium or that like the baseball park that's there, that small one. And we'd run. I'd be like, oh, there's a skate park here. And that's how y'all skate it? That's crazy. I actually grew up down the block. I come from Highbridge the Bronx.
00:05:34
Speaker
so yeah I grew up right right down there on Woody Crest Avenue, like between Woody Crest and Ogden. So it's like, do it in towers, shout out. It's been a long time since I got judged right out, but you know how it is. bring the bonks back, that like you Do you remember the time when they were calling this So Bro? I try not to actually. Who calls it that? They tried it. They tried. And then they were like, and then yeah, yes. and then And then they were like, because people were like against it so much, they ended up being like Piano District. oh I remember that one. Unfortunately. yeah Please throw that away. Yeah. yeah um But yeah, Summer Jam 1, how did the Bronx really come out for y'all then?
00:06:23
Speaker
Well, it's always unexpected to see so many girls pop out and see our friends just support us no matter where we go. But it was it was hot. it was It was really cool to just see everybody just come out and go crazy because we saw girls just go crazy. yeah go I think at the time, you know, our first event was in fall 2020. You know, we had connected over the summer. I DM'd Mel after, you know, spending years like studying women's skateboarding communities around the world and being like, I'm from the Bronx. I would love to build community for women and skateboarding in the Bronx. But We always get further together. And I always loved seeing Mel skate. And just, I think from even just from afar, I could tell that we had a shared passion for giving back to the community. yeah
00:07:06
Speaker
And so by the time when the pandemic rolled around in 2020, it was like, yo, and my head on my Yocavas now are never like hit shorty up. Because like, I have a feeling that this could change everything. And yeah, our first event was that fall. um And we call it now our anniversary, our birthday party. Yeah, that's awesome. We'll be having pinatas and stuff. Yeah, it's be lit.
00:07:25
Speaker
But then the Summer Jam was cool because like I think when you do one event, it's like a one-off. You get all this excitement. But when you do something again, there's this sense of continuity. It's like two to make it true, yeah which is something we say a lot in skateboarding. That's awesome. I love that. Yeah.
00:07:40
Speaker
I have to write down, write that down. That like, but well, the the history of like women as skateboarding and and like the community aspect of like, because what I'm trying to go through is like, I watched my big my biggest thing was learning about ah King of the Road.
00:08:01
Speaker
And like like, right before the pandemic, they were like doing it Vice, RIP Viceland. But like, It was different time. Yeah. But I remember when Nora was on there. I, Nora, I think it's like. Masconcellos. Yeah. But I always call because her Instagram is Nora the Explorer. And shout out to her, because she got a fire signature shoe with Adidas. And so, like, seeing her skate, or like, even back in the day, like, Alyssa Steamer, you know, like. okay you know your readers i know my stuff so the so like seeing women's skate is like super super dope that like it's here too like that's what y'all what y'all are doing is amazing regardless i'm gonna keep probably saying this you're gonna hear it a ton throughout this episode uh but
00:08:55
Speaker
like I hope you've been enjoying this week's episode with Mel and Kava, Bronx Girl Skate. And of course, if you are watching this on YouTube, please do not forget to comment, like, and subscribe because that will go a very long way on YouTube. And if you're listening to this on Apple or Spotify,
00:09:15
Speaker
Hit that five stars and leave a written review telling me how much you like the podcast. Or you can even write your My First Kick story in the review. I will read it on an episode of the podcast. And of course, if you really want to support the podcast,
00:09:33
Speaker
$5 on Patreon. It goes a very long way. It's one tier. You get the episode a day early. That means you get the episode on a Thursday. You don't get it on Friday. And you get shouted out at the end of an episode or every episode since whenever you sign up. So don't forget, head up to Patreon, patreon.com. So that's my first kicks.
00:09:54
Speaker
But of course, let's jump back right into the episode. Like organizing, community organizing. How did y'all
Challenges and Perseverance in the Bronx
00:10:00
Speaker
find that passion for that? Because I know, I know about you through Samia as well.
00:10:06
Speaker
And so, yeah. So like we talked, I had her on this on the podcast. Okay, okay. long that's That's one of my OGs. That's fine. And so like community and putting in you know giving back is probably something within the city and and building community within a city is a lot more...
00:10:26
Speaker
sometimes it becomes harder to do because sometimes people don't like they like there's a lot of no's yeah when you reach out to people especially for like product and stuff and money but yeah it was definitely a journey for like for me giving back was something i never thought that was possible until like my journey with skateboarding when i started like getting better and all these sponsors i was just like Yeah, it's time to reach out to them and ask them for some stuff for their help because they helped me all that all this time. Because, listen, i came from not many resources either. so
00:11:03
Speaker
So once I was able to like get resources, obviously like reaching out to them was so much easier. Yeah. I feel like, I don't know if a lot of people that listen to this are in that position, but like i know you know there are moments where <unk>re like I don't know where where you can signify where it's like, all right, now it's time for y'all help me out, but now y'll gotta to help the people around me that help that are like help like are part of my community as well. Yeah, especially in a city like New York where so many people are coming here to make their dreams come true. Oftentimes those of us who are born and raised here don't really experience the same access to opportunity and resources that people who might come will be moving here from afar get to experience. And I think
00:11:45
Speaker
don't know, for me it was like, you know, I have a background in international relations. I think a lot about like giving from like, there's like the interpersonal right of like compassion and just like reciprocity and these principles.
00:11:57
Speaker
But then there's also a bit of that academic perspective of like, how do you give back and do so in a structural way and implement principles of community organizing? in ways that are connected to your passion. like I think there's a lot of skateboarders. I love skateboarding because it it is a community that loves giving back. I think that we're very intergenerational community. I think that we have a strong youth culture and sort of like continuing to nurture your inner child as long as you live. But like sometimes that translates to a really singular focus on skateboarding. For sure. And to the point where sometimes people are not, you know, pursuing other life goals or developing other skills because they're so passionate about making it as a skateboarder and as a pro athlete.
00:12:39
Speaker
And I think what we've been able to do is show people like, hey, like there's more to it than just like – being pro, right? Like you can be a professional skateboarder and give back to the community without from a different position, you know? And I think that's part of why bron Girl Skate has had such like lasting power in the community because like we're two people who like, we're known for like our heart and our like, yeah our our generosity and stuff. But then also as I think coming together to make something that's so much bigger than ourselves, something that has a life outside of ourselves and that's meant to last forever.
00:13:15
Speaker
long beyond you know that's the hope to build that type of legacy and you never know what life you can change by giving back to the community because a lot of these kids in the bronze are really bad yeah and you see it all you like literally see these kids just going through a lot and and just it feels great just giving stuff to them and like helping them progress with their skateboarding journey i mean because once it comes to skateboarding and skateboard like Like in the back in the 90s, it was very like ah people were like pushing people out. Like you had to very cliquish in the 90s.
00:13:52
Speaker
It can still be. You know? giving me hope that it wasn't like that now. can still be like that sometimes. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, yeah, from all the the like documentaries and I mean, I wasn't I try to I always talk about this, but I did try to pick up a skateboard because that's how bad I wanted to do it. And it just did not work out for me because I don't have the I can't kick push. It's never too late. Listen, if you could tell us, we could give you a lesson. All right. right. All right. And so ah but I know that like, you know, there's always been like fighting and people get into drugs and all that stuff. So like, you know, always seen the events y'all put on. It's very inviting. It's very everybody's helping each other. Everybody's like talking to each other. It's not on some like now. i don't fuck with this book, you know. I mean, in the beginning, i mean with yeah the guys, but now they're very understanding and now they like just help us all the time. But the beginning, like that, sir. I mean, anytime you do something that challenges the status quo, like people, you know, there was this idea that, oh, why do we need separate spaces? Everybody's equal. Right. But it's like, we talk about equality and I get to give in, we want to be living, you know? And I think when we started doing our events even before and like both of us have we're both women of color latina women yeah from the bronx like who skate like before we started organizing i think we dealt with our own challenges of like sexism or people not maybe believing in us because of whatever reasons yeah
00:15:33
Speaker
But in our events, everybody eats. Yes. Everybody For sure. But I do think it's just like, you know, not like you were glossing over that, but it is very pivotal. You know, like, I don't think it's fair. Like, like in terms of just like, If you're doing something that people think is like weird per se or you know, you're you're not you know, you're not doing this term or in this part ah part of it. or It's just like you're not ladylike or whatever, you know, like it's whatever gender norms are and stuff like that, like that. It's not fair because it's like you should be able to do what you want to do without, you know.
00:16:10
Speaker
and And then in ah in a hard, and like ah lot a very old school area like the Bronx, like a lot of like, you know, tios being outside and being like, what why are why you doing that? What is that? up pan imo head Yeah, exactly. know How did, how did you, how did both y'all persevere through that? Especially within the Bronx?
00:16:31
Speaker
You want to for a shorty? I need a process.
00:16:37
Speaker
I don't know. I grew up, I'm Afro-Latina. My parents are both from the Dominican Republic. And I've spent...
Gender Norms in Skate and Sneaker Culture
00:16:48
Speaker
But yeah, I think from a young age, I've always been sensitive to how much society tells women, like what we can and can't do, who we can and can't be, what's allowed.
00:16:59
Speaker
And like I think so many structures exist that try to keep us in a certain place like as lesser than men in society. And I think even though we've seen a lot of improvements thanks to like feminism, different social movements, there's still a long way to go. And I think- Especially you right now. Yeah, and even just, and then like not just at a local scale, but at a global scale, right? Like if we're dealing with these challenges here in New York, like think about the mother of two in South Like, then you know, it's like this in South Africa are people who are girls who are trying to skate in other countries where they may not have access to product or opportunity or examples. right
00:17:34
Speaker
it Like it's it's real. And I think that, you know, skateboarding does is a very... like, I guess like counterculture space and it's really diverse, but we're still human beings that are like skateboarding is not like exempt from being like the socialization that we all experience outside the skate park. And so we bring some of that, that crap in here.
00:17:55
Speaker
And I think we've been, i think there's a lot of bravery and, Choosing to show up, especially when like if femininity is seen as something negative and then you choose to embrace yourself in as a woman in the world of sport like that is going to ruffle some feathers because a lot of people do still they don't even realize that they have these deep seated. Yeah, like misogynistic or sexist beliefs. But it is definitely the older men.
00:18:20
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. i think I think sometimes the younger kid, like there's some of it from the younger guys, but it's changing. Yeah, it's definitely changing. I mean, it's definitely, I would say like upbringing. Like if that's if that if like if that's ingrained of like, you know, to me, it's always like the parents first, right? It's like if you are brought up in this world where you think like if you're like you your mom's like, oh, you know, you have to do this. You're the man. You got to, you know, you got to do all this stuff, right? You're going to.
00:18:47
Speaker
pass that down until somebody breaks that out breaks that out of you right or you you're go to agree you know so it's like ah you. know That's why I'm big on community because it's like like especially within sneakers. like i mean I'm traveling within the sneaker community. We see a lot of that and people being like, you know, you know women shouldn't be wearing sneakers blah blah you'd be like uh uh everybody should wear sneakers like you know so it's like i don't think it's uh it's like it's definitely more of like you gotta to you gotta to be the change you want to see right and so i always implore you know and i always have conversations i'm always down to like talk and and try to break people out. Be like, you know, somebody comes in and be like, oh, why is why do all the girls get a Air Jordan 5 Gore-Tex? And I'll be like, and I'm like, ah why shouldn't they? like I mean, there's definitely, I won't lie. And like, we've definite we've definitely had experienced our fair share of criticism, even despite all the amazing work we do. It comes with the territory of putting yourself out there. yeah
00:19:48
Speaker
um And, you know, i I'm sure that there's folks who still to this day are like, oh, like, do they really, just like oh like, you can't imagine the amount of imposter syndrome we have experienced. We're like, we're doing all these great things as individuals, as a collective. And then there's still that voice in our head that we're trying to heal from. So when other people echo that thing, it's like, damn, like, it kind of hurts sometimes. But no we can't let, we don't let people tell us that we're not deserving to be in a space that not only do, like,
00:20:16
Speaker
We love skateboarding. like We are skateboarders. like We deserve to take up space, but also invite other people, regardless of their gender, to feel like this skate park can also be their home yeah and that there's a space that we need to take care of together. And you don't need to be pro.
00:20:29
Speaker
And you don't need be pro. Exactly, don't. Like the way we structure our events, for example, Summer Jam, instead of doing like contest runs, which is who knows, maybe we'll explore the future. But we want everybody just like we want everybody to eat.
00:20:42
Speaker
We want everybody to get something. If you do an Ollie, if you do a tray flip, like we want everyone to feel celebrated and included. Yeah. That's awesome. Everybody eats. Everybody eats. We really do be feeding people. That's awesome. And we make it rain. Yeah. We make it rain. off I'm mad I'm missing this now. I'm so mad.
00:21:00
Speaker
I'm not going to be here. It's okay. It's okay. And it's cool because like, you know, on the surface, it's like, yeah, we do these fun events, but there are principles behind it. It's like we come, we both like had to face like socioeconomic instability or like,
00:21:13
Speaker
Like really tough challenges growing up and not having resources, a lot of like haters or naysayers. And I think that at the end of the day, like when we make the choice to like, okay, we know that in the Bronx, this is one of the poorest congressional districts in the country, in the city, you know what mean? So how do we like make sure that when they come to our events, not only are they being able to skate and pursue their passion, but we're finding community We're like finding resources to improve our mental health. We're getting to eat and addressing food insecurity, you know, maybe not as a permanent solution, but one of many. yeah
00:21:45
Speaker
I like to think of Bronx Girl Skate as like being part of like an ecosystem of community orgs that are just trying to make the Bronx shine light on the Bronx and make it better. I mean, you have to, right. You have to build within the city that you have to build within the borough that you're coming or living in, especially. and it's like, it's super important because a lot of people just, you know, i think they, they push down their community in order to get out of like,
00:22:11
Speaker
to live in manhattan and like a high-rise or you know like if the the first chance of being like oh i i got some money i'm out of here right and not and not really turning back and being like yo why don't i build something here you know and and i'm talking about this on like a higher scale like rich people not like y'all you know not like me you know i think when we're when we're thinking when we're talking about like stuff that we're building and we're and you know, from our levels or, and I mean, y'all, y'all bigger than me, but from this, from this specific aspect of like, we always look into build back and, and kind of better where we're coming from, because we know, we know about the future. We know that it doesn't take a wasteland of, you know, previous people that but came before us in order to make a brighter future for us. We can do, we can,
00:23:03
Speaker
you know, there's a term, but I was going to say it. It was going to sound dope, but it doesn't sound dope my head anymore. It's just like you got to see the garden as you walk through it. Yeah, see? It didn't sound as hot as it did. No, we see the vision. I see the garden. There's sometimes some dead leaves, but we'll pass it, you know? Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Jumping again to remind y'all that I have shirts for sale. have merch.
00:23:30
Speaker
I got shirts for sale. I have a box of My First Kick shirts and they're only $40 plus shipping. So if you are Interested in copying a shirt. Hit me up in my DMs. They're open. and Or you can me email me at info at myfirstkicks.com Cop the shirt. I have a box.
00:23:54
Speaker
I want to get rid of the box. So help your boy out. And then I can release more merch. So help your boy out. Hit me up. Cop a shirt. Look at it. Look at the thing at the bottom left, bottom right.
00:24:07
Speaker
Help your boy out. um Peace. So we're halfway in, but I'm going to ask the question that I ask everybody each week.
Personal Stories and Fashion Culture
00:24:14
Speaker
And that question is, what's your first case? What's that first pair sneakers that you absolutely needed to have?
00:24:21
Speaker
Sorry, I got to pull out the phone. I don't want to have to change my answer because don't really remember. that Let's go. So my first sneaker was the Air Jordan 8 Retro GS in pink. There you 23, I think. Pink and black, right? Pink and black. Pink and black. Pink and black. Do you got a story of like how how that came to be?
00:24:39
Speaker
we barely had money and they were on sale, this period. And we I always dreamt of having like the most expensive shoes to go to school because everybody, you know, wasn't that like getting fly era. yeah And I wasn't able to, but for me, they were fly. And I think they're still fly to this day. Nah, they're flying. They need to come back out. They need to come back. But yeah, those were my first shoes. And then I didn't really know much sneakers. So like growing up and I remember my second pair. I just want to say my second pair because they're a basketball shoe. Yeah.
00:25:10
Speaker
I was wearing basketball shoes as a normal shoe. I didn't know nothing about sneakers. now i love sneakers the first shoe is a basketball shoe jordan 8 is a basketball okay but the other one was more of a basketball shoe like it was dead as a basketball shoe i had the bulky shoes with skinny jeans on bruh i look like an alien i was thinking more like uh you remember uh uh jerking like the dance oh my god yes everybody had the skinny jeans yes you know and the big and like those ciruses yeah the blue ones yeah I couldn't afford the Osiruses, but you know, I had the blue jeans, you know? oh my God, the blueberry ones. Oh man.
00:25:48
Speaker
Your turn. I actually remember my first pair of shoes that I got myself was, I love the Converse Chuck Taylor high tops. oh yeah I was one of those weird skaters who skated those. don't know how you did. I barely can even walk in those. loved I loved them. And I got a bunch of different colors over my, over my teens. And I wore them with them color of skinny jeans. Yeah.
00:26:08
Speaker
It's like I'm having a flashback to 2007. Yo, I had the taste of rainbow, baby. Taste the rainbow. All of them. I'm about to fry you. I've never seen Kyle with the same color jeans ever. It was either that. It was two extremes. It was either the really skinny Converse side tops or Chuck Danvers or it was the chunky monkey Osiris type DC shoes. Oh, brother. He was doing it. He was looking like Danny Brown. Skinny D's all day. Oh, God. That is a... You will never catch me in the skinny jeans. No. No. Praying out of my Tumblr. Never go back. Before the emo phase. Oh, man. I have my emo phase. Yeah. Yeah. I was on the I was I used to listen to a lot of scene. Well, I mean, well, I used to listen post hardcore. Well, still listen to post hardcore. Me too.
00:26:54
Speaker
Screamo. Yes. You know, but are y'all talking about like My Chemical Romance or... Yeah. yeah Well, that too, the little emo kid vibes. Yeah. But I was like listening to like Dance Gavin dancing like Amorosa. Oh my God. I had the skinny jeans, band tees. Me too. And I was wearing Vans Chukas like a lot. Oh, the check... Yo, how can I forget about those Vans Chukas? Sorry, respectfully. Nah, the checkers was the way... I was very emo growing up. Like I had the hair. i had the piercings.
00:27:22
Speaker
It was too much. It was too much. He was in the pit. i was in the pit. I yeah i would love to do so many shows. Wolf tour. yeah I'll be crowd surfing. Crying my heart my eyeballs off. It was a time. Time to be alive. What what did y'all skate in?
00:27:40
Speaker
because i know like Especially like growing up. i mean Nobody's going to be like, hey, you should skate in these. especially like you know ah well Maybe a skate park. i don't know. oh I don't know. I think when I started skateboarding, I didn't really have, i didn't understand that I needed my shoes separately. So I just skated in whatever I could afford. yeah And honestly, my favorite at the time was my Converse. Oh, respectfully, no. I try those and fell backwards. know, I got blamed a lot for it, but I got winded by the Converse. I cannot skate the Converse. I got winded. enough I did the Jesus Christ going backwards. Just skating regular down the street. i can't do that. No. That's tough. I mean, I'm even thinking about like, like even just doing like a kick flip in those. This seems like. Bro, I had. Yeah. Cooked. I had the Vans, the canvas ones cooked. Cooked my pinky toe. Like, oh, yeah. Well, you're talking about the like authentic or like. Authentics. Skate highs. No, regular canvas authentic.
00:28:39
Speaker
Roasted. eventually my think is Eventually I did graduate like Vans half-caves because I feel like it kind of half have them had like the chunkiness that I liked from the old school shoes. But then like, I mean, ah they have nothing to do with the conferences I was skating. That was just me being ridiculous. But, but, um, yeah. Now you can skate in anything. You can basically skate barefoot now. You can. Doesn't mean you should. But you can. No. toes won't let me. Because they were like calluses. Unless I'm at the beach, like I surf too. So it' like sometimes I like get on a little carpet and go like, like it looks like a i don't know. I can't like really jacket, but it's fun.
00:29:17
Speaker
I refuse to show my toes respectfully. not not to get into toe subjects. Oh my days boom God. That look, it's it's tough. I don't know. Like I never got into the big chunky like skate shoe.
00:29:30
Speaker
But i was a big fan of of ah these D3 Osiruses. I mean, D3. Yeah, the D3s where it's like the they're like Orbis, whatever. They're like Dior. I think it was like Christian Dior did a not Christian Dior.
00:29:45
Speaker
oh Somebody stole the design and made it like a designer shoe. DC? Oh, no. No. it was I think it was a collaboration with A$AP Rocky and DC. Okay. And he did like a... I could be wrong. I'm probably wrong. Comment down below. about to have to ask Jeeves. Yeah. Ask Jeeves. You know what's the most underrated shoe? It's probably the Adidas Turtle Shell.
00:30:09
Speaker
Oh, you mean all-stars? Yeah, superstars. The superstars? Yeah, superstars. I called them all-stars. I got them on, too. You're thinking about Converse now. Let me take over your job. My bad. The shell toes. Yes. Those are underrated. But I feel like that's a good skate shoe. That's a good skate shoe. It has be. Nike. It's like sometimes you've seen that meme with the hermit frog and with the cape like this. yeah That's Adidas. And Nike's like the one that's over here.
00:30:40
Speaker
Sometimes I want to go into the dark side. it's like It's like two of them. It's like another one with another Kermit. Yeah, the Kermit with the hat like this. Yeah, and then there's a Kermit in the back being like, no, come over here. Come the dark side. Yes. Like, that's how every time I put on the ideas, that's how I feel every time. Like, oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Naheem. I mean, it's hard when you got your own shoe.
00:30:58
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. That's where brand loyalty becomes like, you're like... I don't know. It's whoever support us the most. Let me shut up.
Collaborating with Nike and Design Inspiration
00:31:13
Speaker
No, but no, no, no. In all seriousness, though, we definitely are super. We're about to come. We're coming up on our six month anniversary since releasing our Bronx Girl Skate. You understand how hard I was going for those. I was like, I was like, I must cop those. And then the Deshaun Jordan ones. But like, it was like, yeah, those are so good. And but like I was at the dentist with them on because I was like, let me put them on. You know, I can't wear them on the episode, but I'll put them on. Like put them on. I'm like, I'm like at the dentist and the dentist. He's like working on my teeth. It's like, those are cool. What are those? And I'm like, oh, you know. I'm about to interview them. A little bronze girl skate. And so, and I'm like, yeah, the piping is all the different lines of the train. And he's like, that's crazy. And I'm like, yeah. And then he starts going like, this is the red line. Two and three. We started going through the entire map of the NCAA. It's such a weird dentist. I think he might be listening to this. Hello, sir. What's good? Let us know, you know. But how did it come about? Like, where how did you get him on their radar?
00:32:31
Speaker
Is it DM? Is it Let's Collab? No, that'll be true. We did a collab with them in 2022. Right, yeah. Like, that's when I think they kind of initially started reaching out to us. It was Be True collab. It was the white ones and then you scrape them into these colors. That was a cool shoot. June 2022, I think that was.
00:32:49
Speaker
Yo, what happened this year? We need to be true this year. I know, right? We didn't get one last month. Yeah. And then we had went to Portland for Skate Like a Girl training.
00:33:01
Speaker
And then we had met the whole entire, like, everybody from Nike in Portland. It was so cool to see, like, the different campuses they have. And then... What's your favorite?
00:33:11
Speaker
and My favorite? I mean, we only went to one. Which Which one was the... P-Rods? No, it was... a What's that? Tennis player? Serena Williams? Yes, Serena Williams. Oh my God, I'm sorry. I don't remember the name of it, but basically... like So we applied for a grant with this non-profit called Skate Like a Girl. They've been around for over 25 years over on the West Coast. Yeah.
00:33:33
Speaker
um I think Portland, the Bay, Seattle, and like promoting like, you know, equity and opportunity to skateboarding for yeah women, queer folks and gender diverse peoples. They offered, they had a program called the Skateboarding Inclusivity Cooperative sponsored by Nike, if I'm not mistaken. It was like a made to play grant. And, yeah, we were one of the collectives that were selected for a funded fellowship. And we spent like six months. um what You know, we and like Mel said, we ended up going to the Nike campus out in, um I think it's Beaverton or Portland, in portland Oregon, yeah um getting to connect with the team. And they would train us and we would go there and just do like a bunch of was it like...
00:34:13
Speaker
The workshops. Some talks. But it was like the workshops were to help with the program, with your program? So that was the initial one, right? And then over the course of the six months, we didn't do it at it at Nike's headquarters in Portland. We did it like remotely through the Skate Like a Girl. But like we each got like individual or especially and as well as like collective mentors to help. just like improve our organizational structure yeah like really plan for our next step so we do see that like you know this is a passion project but we definitely do consider ourselves community organizers and are constantly trying to like develop our skills and grow as leaders through opportunities like skateboard the sic program that's i mean that's so dope because it's like you don't we don't hear how people get to that like it seems like a mystery and it's like people be like yeah just apply for grants and stuff like that you know yeah but nobody else like here's like how to do it you know so like here in this process is like yeah i mean s ski like a girl always like supported us even before the grant like they just knew who we were because of our friend sema and i remember going there and was crippled We both went to surgery in in December 2023. What Like right before the fellowship. I had ripped my ligaments and then she had. I had ah i had to get a hemothyroidectomy to get a tumor. Thankfully, no cancer. Let's go. Yeah. So i was still I was still healing at the time. So I just remember at the airport struggling so bad.
00:35:41
Speaker
And you're like, I gotta go. I was like, you gotta go. was like, I gotta go. And even before then, like, so Skate Like a Girl has this festival called Wheels of Fortune where they invite women and queer folks from all over the world for like a three, four day festival of sorts.
00:35:55
Speaker
they We have our own king of the world called The Witch Hunt. Oh my God. And like, it's like, pat there's like academic panels and talks and parties and people go pro. And it's just like the biggest skateboarding for like, ah biggest weekend in skateboarding for like the quote unquote non-traditional skate community. I went to my first WAF in 2019.
00:36:13
Speaker
And this was, I think, like the third, I think this was the fourth one. And this was our second one that we just went to this past May. So we go, Rostrosky is like, I a girl go to Heather real bad. And, you know, bringing it back to like Nike, like, you know, we had, we had had a relationship with them from the Be True campaign. yeah but And built on it through the fellowship when we went in January, 2024 to their headquarters.
00:36:36
Speaker
And then from there, I think Kelly Bird DM'd us. Yeah. I mean, we knew him like before I was following him. I remember I was telling Cabo, was like, yo, we got to say hi to him. This is the guy. yeah Like, this is the guy we have to speak to. Yeah, for sure. I remember that day. Yeah, we were, I feel like, And also before, like, I guess concurrently with Bronx Girls Skate, I used to be the program manager and director at like the Harold Hunter Foundation, which is another skateboarding organization. And I think just like the community of skateboarding, like each of us, like between Bronx Girls Skate, but also just like the work and the relationships we had built over the years in our like respective spaces too, I think.
00:37:14
Speaker
By the time like Bronx Girls Skate had built up in prominence in 2024, Nike was like, hey, like we have one spot available for a community organization organization-based collaborative dunk. like We want Bronx Girls Skate to have it. And like hit us up individually. They contacted us on Bronx Girls Skate. They emailed us to Nike. Nike really wanted to honor the work that we had been doing. That's so fire.
00:37:37
Speaker
and Before y'all released, there was another... pair. It was like a blazer. It was like a blazer and something. it i think it was like a blazer and something else. Another model.
00:37:48
Speaker
And it was another women's organization also. there was So it was Fro Skate? I think it was Fro Skate. I'm thinking about the the high the high. Those are also great too. yeah Shout out Cardi Lowe. But I was loving this. I was just loving that like buildup of just, you know, inspiring women and yeah like doing it through organizations that also inspire other women. yeah And then it was like, like during that one, it was like in the preparation to the Olympics, I think it was too. Right. Or it was before it was like a little bit after. i know there was like talks earlier. I think there's, I remember they started, Rose Skate started in 2019 and I think their dunk came out in 2022. Okay. And then after that, I believe Skate Like a Girl. KCDC. That's the one I'm feeling. KCDC got their dunk yeah and then Skate Like a Girl got a dunk and then their skateboard. So these are all people we're friends with, yeah that we're in community with, that we've come up with. So it's been so cool to be part of like,
00:38:46
Speaker
I feel like it feels like a cherry on top kind of moment. Yeah, it feels unreal. It still hasn't hit guy I to God. It doesn't hit you. you know I mean, you be doing like, you're over here modeling. you doing it It's hard for you to be like, yo,
00:39:02
Speaker
Like you can't sit down and be like, yeah, now I can take it all in. yeah I mean, in certain times it does hit, but sometimes I'm just like, with the what the hell? Yeah, it's it's cool. Cause it's like, I think that's part of it is that like, I think what this dunk came, you know, we got invited in 2024, took about a little less than two years to like,
00:39:23
Speaker
but to go from conception to delivery. um If you want to hear about the process. Yes, please. that that The first version of our shoe does not look like the version we have on it. You've seen it? Yeah. How?
00:39:35
Speaker
ah My friend FaceTimed me and showed me. Oh. What color was it? Purple? What you think? Fire. y the Fire. He showed me and he was like, we're going to keep this here for when they when y'all go visit. Oh my God. So it's going be there. Wow.
00:39:51
Speaker
I'm tapped in. I don't even know where that sample is at. It's in the crib. It's HQ1. We have two HQs. Oh, excuse me. Nah, but that is fire. I mean, I don't know if anybody, if y'all ever leak a picture of it. We should one day.
00:40:11
Speaker
Yeah, maybe. I think that could be fun as like when we talk about, maybe even for, we're planning ah an event to celebrate the six year anniversary. Stay tuned. August 13th. Save the date. I came with an idea.
00:40:22
Speaker
Y'all should have it like in the middle of a like the skate park where it's like, it's like, like you can't take it, but like everybody can skate around it. oh Oh, as a video content. Yeah. just like as an event We actually did do a display. Our friends at AM PM gallery recently did a subway inspired um art exhibition. So we got a shadow box and put the shoe As part of it. and Because as you know, like or as you may know, that just that the the the colors of the piping of the satin line, braided satin piping represent the train lines that serve the Bronx. The BD, the 1-2, and the 456. I mean, and it's, again, that's too fire. Too fire. it is I love the bottom.
00:41:09
Speaker
I love the the hidden Easter egg. What's the Easter egg? It's a chopped cheese.
00:41:18
Speaker
No, it's not. What is it? It's a bacon, egg and cheese. It is a bacon, egg and cheese. I've been saying that. This a great debate. That's what everybody said. And then I said, when I first got it, I said bacon, egg and cheese. And then people were like, no, it's a chopped cheese. I fought hard for that Easter egg. It had to be in the shoe.
00:41:35
Speaker
Bacon, egg and cheese, y'all. I want to talk a little bit about like some of the ideas that we each put into the shoe. I think for me, like one thing that I've always found really interesting, really funny is that Mel and I are the same shoe size, but we skate opposite stances. She's goofy. I'm regular.
00:41:50
Speaker
Are you left-handed too? No, right you know right-handed. Oh, I'm not going to say that. I'd be a too good to be true. You know, I was really like one, you know, we had the first mod, the first version. So might've put my feet on the table. No, go ahead.
00:42:02
Speaker
But, you know, the first model, as you know, was like purple and gold. And both of us were really inspired by the idea of like royalty. yeah We actually had a conversation with our team and had people think through some of the color ways that they would like to see that represent our story and our aesthetics.
00:42:17
Speaker
um but And then when they were like, oh, like there was too many purple and gold, you know too much like the Crown Royale, they were coming out with a lot of purple colorways. And then they were talking about like maybe it looks like Barney or like it looked like something else. It just wasn't going to work. We was destroyed when they said we couldn't use the purple. And they warned us. They were like, you know, this is an art piece, right? And like, it's an iterative process of just like doing doing it as you go. And I think what that like that idea of royalty really stuck with us. And it's like, how can we find other ways to express this concept? So then it's like Mel's like, oh, I kind of like something like luxury. And then I was like, you know, for me, it was really important that that this shoe wasn't just about the Bronx, but the world.
00:43:00
Speaker
For years, when I was doing my, like, Watson Fellowship and, like, skating around the world, studying how women are personally and politically empowered through it, I thought a lot about that tag. I was like, from the Bronx to the world with love. A lot of people have very particular ideas about the Bronx. And I think a lot of people from the Bronx sometimes, like, we, like, internalize this idea that we're not allowed to, like,
00:43:21
Speaker
be in the world or that we can only be in the Bronx or something. And so it's like from the Bronx to the world, like we have two people coming together but who like from different walks in life, but somehow like share so many values, yeah come together as one to create something bigger. And definitely like it was also like to bring like our family, our skate family means so much to us and they're always supporting us. So like definitely like adding the hints of like family messages in there and just making it feel like royalty and concrete, you know? That's, I mean, what are the, I don't know, i don't know the family messages. Oh, so inside the insole of each shoe, yeah um so Mel wrote, so like I mentioned like from the Bronx to the world. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Even though we're from both from the Bronx, I felt like personally like my, a lot of how I came up in skateboarding was through my involvement in the global skate scene. Yeah. South Africa, Sweden, Mexico, Spain, what have you.
00:44:11
Speaker
And I think India, love. yeah I didn't mention it. That was my favorite. Yeah. but Indian Brazil and South Africa were just amazing. But this idea of like maps, right? Like making sure that our personal stories were woven into the kind of like the bigger story. So it's like from the Bronx, like Mel really representing that local. then she wrote... Yeah, I wrote... What did i write?
00:44:32
Speaker
Something about family. Something about family, guys. I'm sorry. that But... Yeah, I agree. Definitely. Like it was just a message from my coming up because I came from not much resources, like I was saying earlier. So like I had to bring my family, my skateboarding family that like made me feel who will like safe in this space, you know.
00:44:54
Speaker
Yeah. And then my message was, soy porque somos. I am because we are. I think that's like really reflecting that we're not just like skaters or even just, and we're cultural producers, and but like ultimately like community organizers and trying to distribute resources and provide opportunity to our people, so you know? And I think- Yeah, I love the idea of like the back of the shoe has this embossed of like the side that Mel pushes with says the Bronx.
00:45:19
Speaker
And then the side I push with says the world. And each one of our individual shoes has a written message. And then hers has like the Bronx map. And then mine has the world map. That's fire. So it's like, get in the shoe.
00:45:33
Speaker
I was looking through everything. But obviously, you would you need you definitely I wish it was like, yo, we got a book for you. Check this out. you know But i'll be obviously, i'll be too much. I love the i love that the hints of that. Definitely. Because it's not like, I don't think anybody who who anybody who's bought the shoe won't have the chance to meet y'all. Because, you know, if you come into an event, you know, yeah you know you become part of the community. i think the shoe invites people to come and be part of the community as well. Part of the family. Yeah, exactly. Because that's all they ever been. Yeah. And so it's like then I can you can be like, yo, what does this mean?
00:46:13
Speaker
You know, and I think that like that idea. Like when the Knicks was popping off, I remember like people would look at the shoe and they see the orange and oh shit, those are hard. And they'll see and they're yo, that reminds me basketball. Someone else will be yo, that reminds me of grip tape. Yeah, I thought grip tape. I wish I said that part got on the campaign. But it's like the grip tape, the concrete when it glistens, like the handbag, like there's all these motifs. And the idea was like we wanted to make a shoe that really like felt like, yo, Like this feels like Kyle, this feels like Belle, this feels like us, this feels like that and like Bronx girls game. feels very dead ass. It feels very, what was that? Dead ass. It feels dead ass. It feels dead ass. But then also even like the gold details, you know, Bronx aesthetics. Those things jingle jangle like crazy. They do. They're supposed to be like hoops, like, you know, back in the 90s. Yes. yes people was complaining about the hoop but it's like y'all needed to have a feminine touch somewhere they're not pink at least let us have thing when people skate them when people skate them the the hoop do they come off or no they have they actually skate with them unless somebody somebody cuts them off no i mean yeah but i feel like well what part of the board would scrape against the back i don't know unless you're like the coping you're just there like yeah i love watching it dangle yeah i just i love seeing random strangers wearing it i just be like oh yo nice kicks
00:47:42
Speaker
You don't even go, you know that's me. I would be like, yo, I got shirt. They know they know. So that's how I just be like, oh, nice kicks. did a video. You got to go to like. I have video of somebody walking by with the shoes. And then he was yo, I remember you. Nah, we need one where just go up to people and be like, yo, those are fire. I will. Or you get that eye. Yeah, yeah. Where'd you get those? And just walk by. What are those? I got you next time. You're like, nah, you got my handwriting in your insults. Nah, honestly, I think that's the trippiest part.
00:48:18
Speaker
That's when it became real to me. Like when we got the final sample and we took out the insoles and we each held our handwriting and our signatures next to Nike SB Bronx Girl Skate. We were like, holy shit. Like we're the first women of, I think we might be the first women from the Bronx to make a Nike SB. I know I'm, I think I'm one of the first, if not the first Dominican to make an SB shoe. Yeah. I'm not the first Mexican. Not the first Mexican girl. You're the first Mexican girl. So we're the first women. It's you and P.R.R.P. Yeah, but you know, there's lot firsts. Like I think it's just something that I think it'll always, it's like, it's something that we carry with us forever. It's like, we got to give something back, not only to skateboarding and to the Bronx, but to New York. Like that part blows my mind every day. Yeah. And just giving it to our friends and watching their reactions. Yeah. Watching like, yeah. I was just like, was so mad. I wasn't there. I remember putting the shoes in my father's hands. Because my, you know, like going back to what you were saying earlier, like I've had countless people be like, oh, girl, black girls don't scale or did it. Like I liked punk music and this and played guitar and skateboarded. And it was like so many people like, like making fun of me because I was on some white girl shit. And then now it's like,
00:49:32
Speaker
you know, staying true. yeah And then like, I remember my dad being like, when are you going to get a real job? Like I'm working half a decade already. yeah Like I'm working five years already ah is like respected in this industry. And then my dad's still like, Oh, what are you going to get a real job? And I'm like, dad, like this is my passion. And I found a way to like make a living, like giving back to my community and leveraging my skills. Like, let me put this in your hands. So you understand that this is like a physical reality that now millions of people know who your daughter is and have watched her make dreams come true with like yeah what did he well locally What did he say? this?
00:50:05
Speaker
he didn't really know what to say like you know he was just like wow like that's you like you made like you did this like doitto ammi that yeah And like, I think he just, I think it just, he's still processing the fact that his daughter, despite like, you know, our parents, they want what's best for us, but they're all, they can only do so much. And our job is to take the bloodline and and build a legacy, and move the needle forward. And so they may not always understand, but they definitely love and support us regardless. And that's something I'm grateful for. Yeah, I feel like my parents, they understood, but I feel like they just want the best for what's for us.
00:50:46
Speaker
And I remember when I gave them the shoe, my dad, I like never see my dad cry and I saw him cry back for the first time. i was just like, My mom cried for it. Yeah, I was just like, oh my God. One parent at least has to cry. Yeah. I'm obligatory of tears. Thanks, mama. yeah because my dad wasn't really also as supportive for anything that I used to do.
00:51:06
Speaker
Like, he does support me, but he just wants me to do better and like wants me to have a real career. Yeah. So like when he finally saw like everything working and like like me following my dreams, it's like, oh, maybe like I should support her. Yeah. Immigrant parents, yo. Yeah. It's every Hispanic parent. Yeah.
00:51:25
Speaker
Because they're just like, what is my daughter doing? Like, you're like jumping. We're jumping off of stuff. yeah Doing this like, and it's like, they don't understand. Like these dreams, especially for the women in our family, like they did not have the opportunity, the landscape of opportunity that we do. Right. Yeah. And it's because of their sacrifices that I feel like we're able to dream big and send it so hard. I also feel like I am the black sheep too. because Same. Because I would not settle for I would i don't want an actual 9 to 5 because I feel like I'm meant to be like who I'm meant to be today. you know And I'm going keep following my dreams whether you like it or not. yeah where did Where did y'all both get this like drive from? Because y'all take... you you Both of y'all, I could sense it off. take no You don't take no for an answer. You're just like, I'll just figure it out. like
00:52:14
Speaker
So where did where did y'all both get that? I mean, we're both workaholic, but this one is workaholic. She taught me so much. Like, like this girl.
00:52:26
Speaker
I mean, honestly, I feel like we both, I think we naturally are both really ambitious women and people. Like, we both had, big like, came up without that many resources, but always, like, I don't have big dreams and like, I think just always took steps towards realizing those. Like, I'm sure we were, we was both on Tumblr, like making our little mood boards and I was writing my poetry and just like, I think always feeling like we couldn't, so we had to express ourselves like,
00:52:52
Speaker
There wasn't an option not to. I also don't settle for less. Like, yeah I need to be creative. I need to, like, be me. Like, you know how many times guys would tell me, like, oh, why you look like this? Why are you doing this? Oh, like, oh, it's never going to work. It's going to work.
00:53:08
Speaker
And I've been told, like, by many people, like, oh, your dreams are so stupid. That's crazy. Yeah. And honestly, or even being judged for, I remember I went away to like a private school. like I got a scholarship to go to boarding school in Connecticut. I left home him at 13.
00:53:21
Speaker
And a lot of people were like telling shitting on my parents. Like, yo, like, to what knowna malriria but kego whatever because like you should have your children at home. Like, why she going to school? Like, they didn't understand. And I think, thank goodness for my mom, because my mom's the type of person who doesn't have to understand you to fight for you. like Yeah.
00:53:38
Speaker
I feel like that's what solidarity is. with That might be a conversation for another day. But, you know, I think like pursuing my education was like a really big thing for me. And my mom, you know, she was the time she was one of those immigrant parents who was like, yeah, you know, I walked five miles to and from school every day at the crack of dawn. And then I had to go work from the time I was 10 years old. like You know, but that's Deh, her story. And I think that both my parents just worked really hard and they didn't get the opportunity to really pursue the dreams to the extent. And so when they see me, it's almost like you're your ancestors. Wow, those dreams come true. and like And I think us pursuing our path. At first, they were like, my my parents at first were like, oh, no, like they just want me to be stable. And they have their own perception of what stability looks like, what wealth looks like, what happiness looks like. right But giving me the space and skill set to be able to define
00:54:27
Speaker
and shape my destiny for myself I think it is like something I came up with from a young age yeah and like that shaped so much of how I treat other people how I approach organizing how approach friendships how approach skating definitely just yeah definitely follow your dreams I'm telling you no matter what what your parents have to say and yeah just don't take no for an answer yeah that's the worst thing that can happen is that they say no like you might as well try just keep trying to there's always going to be a yes somewhere Look, that, that or you can turn nos into yes yes. You know, like I think persistence and perseverance is like the biggest like thing that I've learned through all my conversations in here. Cause like,
00:55:09
Speaker
When you when you hear no the first time it does seem deflating because it's like you you think you're you think you have like the greatest idea and you're just like maybe it's not the right time. Maybe like a lot of these factors you don't think about are also around it as well. But it's like as long as you keep putting yourself in a position to be ready when that no becomes a yes. Yes.
00:55:30
Speaker
that like that's when it changes. So it's like exposure like yo like i think both of us have gotten countless no's but the yeses that we did get feels so good made the difference like I remember like graduating from college and like applying to everything under the sun I didn't really know what I wanted to do but I i realized through why my Watson and Davis Peace Prize applications I was like damn like I haven't gotten an opportunity to really pursue my passion for skateboarding because I've been doing what I've needed to do. I've got, I went to school, I got the degree, yeah I got the job, I did the thing, but like my spirit is like screaming at me like that there's more for me.
00:56:03
Speaker
And I think like, i don't know, just that that courage is really scary because you put yourself in uncomfortable situations. You're alone a lot. Like you have to really become your own best friend. And I think that going through those experiences really, that's why it's so cool to like build a relationship through also like building this community, building up brands.
00:56:23
Speaker
and a movement you know because i feel like it's i don't know i love like i feel bronze girl skate has not only been like an outward thing but it's changed me it's changed us as people i think it's made us better people better women and like i think that's the part that people don't always talk about like when you do the work so much of the accolades is about how you affect other people but you have to give yourself permission to be transformed by the work that you do Yes. That impact has to you impact others and then those others impact you as well. Everybody when it comes to impact, everybody always looks at the output more than they do about what is being received as well. And so.
00:57:02
Speaker
They measure themselves by how much people they're impacting versus how much people are impactful towards them. Or even like the depth, like there's breadth and there's depth. And like, I think that's part of it, too, that it's like we do. We've done over 40 events, given out over ten thousand dollars to put hands in the money and food in the mouths of people in our community. Y'all doing amazing work. But like, you know, we also... They don't know what goes behind the scenes. But they don't have... They don't need... They don't have a... I hope they know that it's... It's a labor of love. Yeah, it's with love. But can get really crazy behind the scenes. It can get tough. But yeah. Yeah, we have very healthy relationships. Thank the Lord Jesus. I will say, just because like, a lot of... Sometimes with the haters or naysayers, it's like, oh, like, they're this, they're that, they're that. And it's like...
00:57:54
Speaker
Like, you don't understand. Like, we're both, like, we know that we're both powerful individuals. And, like, sometimes you butt heads. And, like, I don't think we've ever been shy about, like, naming, like, those tougher moments that we've experienced. But I feel like we always come together to just, like, talk shit through. Like, if you need a second, you need a second. If you need get things off your chest, off your chest. But the end the It's very healthy relationship.
00:58:17
Speaker
It's, like, I feel like, I don't know, especially as an only, I grew up as an only child.
Cultural Heritage and Personal Ambition
00:58:21
Speaker
Same. And like also like I think we have this shared experience of feeling like black sheep and my parents are also both the black sheep and I'm the only child for both of them, which in the Hispanic culture is not as common. It's very rare. they're your And so it's like, I think also like just this perspective of like you know that idea that you're your ancestors wildest dreams and like,
00:58:39
Speaker
that like you have to let life live, you know? And like, let it, like, I think this sounds like a little bit like philosophical maybe going to, but it's like, me there I don't know. I think everyone's like every spirit, I think that we're born in like our souls enter this body. We have this like finite existence in this borrowed body. And like, we get the, we get to sit here and talk about our dunks and like how it's so much more than just a shoe. right We get to like,
00:59:06
Speaker
jump and fall and falter and make mistakes and have friends that we know will have our back and love us through even our toughest moments, you know, and that you can still build something with each other, for each other, through each other. And like that, I think is like such a revolutionary experience. And so it's like at this point, it's like you could, people could really just say what they want. Like,
00:59:24
Speaker
They don't know how much we've put into our our own growth and to our relationship. And hopefully that displays in the work that we do. And and hopefully like as it continues to evolve into the next generation, that they carry that with them too.
00:59:37
Speaker
I will say it does show. I don't think you need to think that people need to see that or like, you know, like that you hope that they see that. Just know it does show. Because if it's like, if y'all putting together, you know, 40 events, that's huge. the it's a de thing you know It's a lot of work. But I think what is always prevalent and even just talking with y'all just right now is just the passion. Like, this is something that y'all want to do. It's not on some like, I got to do this because I feel like I have to do this. And it's like, it's like, no, we should do this. Like you're treating it more like when you use a word like we, and you're including everybody and you know, you're doing this out of you know, just passion to see, you know, this thing move forward.
01:00:21
Speaker
That's going to be so more, more rewarding that you don't need any naysayer, any whatever, a ah hundred naysayers is that one person that you impact is still going to mean way more than those hundred naysayers you know so i think you know y'all just y'all crushing it y'all doing amazing things so i i got one last question gotta ask before we jump out here i'm so mad because you've made me want to ask you like 40 other questions so um i'm definitely gonna have to have y'all back because we got it we got into some really good shit and i was like damn i went i look at the clock i was like damn it but i got one last question um
01:00:56
Speaker
And that deals a little visualization. i want you all to think back to younger y'all. And y'all about to get your first, y'all, y'all first kicks, right? Mel's about to get these Jordan 8s. Well, Kyle, you want to do- Oh, Chuck Taylor. Yeah, was going to say, want to Chuck Taylor? Hi, I'm a- Yeah, they gonna flame me in the comments, but it's cool though. I was never really a sneakerhead. My cousin, the first like real proper proper sneakers I think I got was like the Buzz Lightyear ones that came out in 2007. They're like, them shits inspired. Comment below if you cop those too. But ah younger y'all, now you're older y'all, behind y'all younger selves. This is so much y'alls. But she what what would you say to your younger self as they open that box?
01:01:41
Speaker
It's going to be up from here. No, like, oh, God. infinity and beyond. It's definitely from here. And it's going to get better. kick game is going be fire. Yeah, your kick game is going to crazy. It's going to be crazy. One of these days, you're going to unbox your own shoe, baby girl. Yes.
01:02:03
Speaker
That's crazy. That's powerful. And in your size. your size. No small shoes. In your size. I felt that, yeah. That's crazy. But let everybody know where to find y'all.
01:02:14
Speaker
You can find us at bronzegirlskate. On the Instagram. Instagram. Dot net. On the internet. Yes, everywhere. Bronzegirlskate, you heard. You can find me at uncouthyouth. And you can find me holymelwitha0. You already know the vibes. Yes, sir. You know where to find me. Who is Hass on all social medias. Follow the podcast on My First Kicks pod. Hit the Patreon. Patreon.com slash My First Kicks. You get the episode a day early and it's only $5. Hook your boy up. I need money. I got five on it. Please. Everybody got five on it. Let's go. Let's do it. If you have a My First Kicks story, hit me up. Info at MyFirstKicks.com. And if you want to cop a shirt, info at MyFirstKicks.com. And going kick it to myself and the outro. Peace.
01:02:59
Speaker
Thank you for checking out this week's episode with Kava Mel from Bronze Girl Skate. Man, this episode was intense in terms of just like I wanted to talk about more things before time ran out. And like you could see me looking to the camera, to the so well, towards the camera, because that's where the clock is. And I didn't get to touch on a lot of things much.
01:03:25
Speaker
After the episode, we did have a conversation and I'm hoping that they will come back again. um Really love their message. Really love what they do in the Bronx and ah us I mean around New York. ah ah By the time of this ah by the time of this recording, i ah they were doing their next event. the i think it was called like the Summer Jam, maybe.
01:03:51
Speaker
Uh, sorry, I messed that up, but we did talk about it in the beginning of the episode and it took place at Rockaway beach. Um, and I wish I was there. It sounded like a great time.
01:04:02
Speaker
i I was in Toronto at my best friend's bachelor party and that was a time. um so I, I had to miss that, but,
01:04:16
Speaker
Really love what they're doing. And the conversation that we had this week was really insightful. I know I'm recording this early throughout the week. This is a Tuesday because i will be going to Warped Tour um this weekend with Dee and the Oxymorons. We're going to be out there.
01:04:37
Speaker
They're going to be performing and I'm going to be getting some crazy interviews. So I'm very excited for that, and i am very excited to see what comes of this. um It's a very interesting thing because i think sneakers were are for everybody, right? I don't think there should be this huge gap in between um who collects sneakers and who doesn't. And...
01:05:06
Speaker
I think that one of the greatest gifts that were given to me was a pair of sneakers. So whenever I receive them or whenever I'm able to connect with somebody over a pair of sneakers, it does mean a ah a
Representation in Women's Sports
01:05:23
Speaker
whole ton to me. and so I am extremely grateful for everybody who taps in each week and is able to kind of experience that and see how much I get from each conversation. And much like this conversation this week and hearing how they've been able to build community, community,
01:05:43
Speaker
especially in such a specific niche where there's not a lot of coverage there's not a lot of conversations around women's skating or women's skateboarding to be very specific uh and women ah women is extreme sports as well like it's something that there needs to be more eyes on because representation is important and i think What Mel and Kava are doing are is some of the great, like the best type of work that you should be. People should be imp employing themselves on. Right. Representation and representing and being open and talking to people and being insightful and a source of help and a source of knowledge is something that we all should take pride in, especially in the current state where, i you know, I touched on it slightly, um where now we're facing so much adversity, even at like, you know,
01:06:52
Speaker
Just like a person of color standpoint to being a woman within, you know, specific states like I say this and I said this on the episode, i I'd say it's not fair. It's not. It's definitely not fair that we are.
01:07:07
Speaker
taking a ton of steps backwards on the progression that we were hoping we can see grow. But with the current administration and the way the world has become so brazenly against a lot of this progression, it's it's kind of daunting. So.
Supporting Local Initiatives and Community Engagement
01:07:32
Speaker
please get behind bronze girls skate and any other the any other uh organizations that we listed um during this episode because look they try to get rid of or they have getting gotten rid of dei at a lot of corporate companies so it's like Who else is going to be able to to get some sort of funding, whether it would be big or small, when there is no funding for these programs?
01:08:05
Speaker
And it's very important that we need to speak truth to power, especially when it comes to things like this, because, like I said, it's just not fair. And.
01:08:16
Speaker
the only way we can do this is we speak up and and we keep pushing forward because once these things like don't exist anymore, it's going to be so hard to get back. Right. Uh, Bima was on and he talked about how the I was, was, you know, taken out of sort of the projects that he was working on. So he lost funding. And ever since then, he always had to kind of pivot into what he's doing now. And so we don't know how many people that's actually really been happening to.
01:08:58
Speaker
And we only hear a microcosm of that. So whenever you see a program much like this, you um you have to just jump right in and support it as much as you can, especially if you're at a brand, especially if you are someone that's local that can actually just like they can show up and support, bring some waters, bring some, you know, help these kids because they're A lot like we their their parents are also working as hard as you. Their parents are our our age, um of course, in my demographic. And so, you know, it's it's definitely not easy for them. And it's definitely not easy for their kids because we know that we know what we went through. We know.
01:09:43
Speaker
how underprivileged where and some people are or most people are. and the only thing we can do is, you know, be the change that we we want to be. Right. So if you work in a corporate capacity and say and are able to volunteer or help anybody or you want to just like, you know, find an organization that you really want to jump in, it could be. Fro Skate or Bronze Girl Skate or wherever you're located at, definitely try to find something.
01:10:11
Speaker
You don't have to spend every single moment and second or go to every single event, but show up a couple times, show your support. It goes a long way. Support means everything and community means a whole ton, especially within You know, if you look like me or if you look like Mel and Kava or if you look like, you know, any of my previous guests, it is very important to be there, show your support and help usher this thing forward. So. I hope you all y'all learned a lot. i
01:10:47
Speaker
You know, these past couple episodes that I was telling people online, like, you know, this is just going to be gems after gems after gems. Started off with AD. Then we got Sim last week. If you haven't checked out my episode with Sim from the Hill, definitely tap into that, especially if you're a newer content creator or you're somebody that, like, you know, works in a creative capacity. That is a banger. It will either put a battery in your back or start, you know, making, start like, you know, being a lot more creative and thinking of it's inside the box. So I think that would, that will help anybody who needs that. Right. And if you are looking to community ah build and advocate for others, this is the episode for you. And I'm really, really glad that you tapped into this episode and I hope you made it to the end of this episode, but
01:11:44
Speaker
Let's jump in to the Patreon shout outs. And you too can get shouted out at the end of an episode, much like these patrons here by signing up for Patreon.com slash my first kicks. I have one tier, $5 tier. You get the episode a day early and you get to get shouted out much like these people here. So let's do it. We got Ross Adams. We got Adam Neustadter.
01:12:07
Speaker
We've had... Derek Lipkin. We have Adam Butler. We have Jesse, Jesse G. We have Plox. We have Derek Hawkins. We have Jordan Kaiser.
01:12:18
Speaker
We have Samia Grandpierre, who got a shout out in this episode. We have Sean Hates you We have Brett. We have AD Sneaks. We have MDOT and That is all for today or this episode because we need more patrons. I would love to have a new patron subscriber by the end of this episode. So please sign up patreon.com slash my first kicks. And if you are interested in checking out more of this podcast, if you're first time here or you've been a longtime listener, check out one of these two episodes here
01:12:53
Speaker
or Hit that subscribe button so you'll never miss an episode. And of course, you know what we say each week, wear your kicks. Peace.