Every child deserves a chance to live their dream and shape their future. But for at-risk girls and women of color, opportunities for play, education and self expression are often hard to find. That’s where Skateistan comes in, as it unites some of skateboarding’s most iconic women in the name of global social change.

‍

‍She Leads. We Follow. 

Skateistan’s new campaign, ‘She Leads. We Follow.’ is a global call-to-action. Its mission: to raise $731,000 for skateboarding and creative learning programs that push for gender and racial equality all over the world. From Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, to South Sudan, Kenya and South Africa, Skateistan aims to reach 50 locations by 2027 with the help of its supporters. 

“Skateboarding knows no boundaries, and neither should our commitment to people and planet. With the support of legends like Sky Brown, Peggy Oki, Tony Hawk, and many more, Skateistan is rolling towards a future guided by tchildren and youth, determined to grasp the opportunities they find. We are committed to programs that focus on migrant, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion, and girls are one of our primary focuses.”

– Hala Khalaf – Co-Executive Director, Skateistan

As illustrated by the ‘She Leads. We Follow.’ campaign film, Skateistan’s latest focus is all about platforming the lives and stories of at-risk girls and women of color, weaving student testimonials, staff accomplishments and celebrity endorsements (Sky Brown, Briana King, Peggy Oki, Vanessa Torres, Alex White, Helena Long, and many more)  together into a single unified call for change. 

‍

How change happens.

Skateistan was founded in 2007 in a derelict fountain in Kabul, Afghanistan. Since then, the charity has prided itself on giving extra time and resources to girls, so as to address the gender imbalance in skateboarding and society more broadly.

“I have always taken pride in the fact that, despite the ongoing challenges women face in my country, I was never afraid to take steps toward change. I believe that what makes me a role model, at least in the community I am engaged in, is this patience and persistence, no matter how long the journey may be.”

– Zainab Hussaini – Director, Skateistan Afghanistan

Nearly two decades later, Skateistan operates Skate Schools in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa, as well as funding programs and initiatives in 40+ locations worldwide. With over 220,000 annual attendances, 52% of participants across-the-board are girls. 

‍

Skateboarding for Good.

Moving into 2025, Skateistan will partner with ten more organizations which put gender and racial equity front and center, driving the funds raised by ‘She Leads. We Follow.’ to where its beneficiaries need it most. By offering safe-spaces, education and skateboarding programs, resources and more, by 2027 Skateistan aims to be in 50 locations, with over 10,000 participants weekly.  

“Since Skateistan began more than 15 years ago, the number and diversity of skateboarding-based social projects has exploded. Through our partnerships, we want to help these projects to leapfrog over some of the challenges we faced in the early days, and to help them grow through funding and training – with a focus on women-led initiatives."

– Rhianon Bader – Program Manager, Goodpush

This push for change would not be possible without Goodpush, an incubator for the social skateboarding sector launched by Skateistan in 2018. Goodpush provides grants, resources and events for grassroots organizations and activists to grow within social skateboarding, as well as community-led spaces for collaboration. There are currently over 1,000 skateboarding-for-good initiatives worldwide, some of whom have graduated to becoming official Skateistan partners. This model functions as a driver for social skateboarding globally, and allows for truly impactful initiatives to rise to the top and access funding from Skateistan.

By giving to Skateistan, you are supporting at-risk girls all over the world through skateboarding and creative learning. 

‍

‍

‍