Oakland’s streets are about to get a whole lot cooler, and we’re here for it. A vibrant community of Black roller skaters is turning DeFremery Park into a radical space of joy, resistance, and pure kinetic energy with their ambitious Panther Skate Plaza project.

These aren’t just your average weekend warriors - this is a movement that emerged during the pandemic, transforming a basketball court into a weekly celebration of Black culture and community connection. Every Thursday, dozens of skaters converge for the Panther Prowl Skate, creating a living, breathing testament to resilience and collective creativity.

Skating Beyond Boundaries

What makes this project revolutionary isn’t just the physical space they’re creating, but the powerful statement behind it. Organizer Donna Norcom Milich puts it perfectly: “It’s about Black joy. It is access to recreational space”. In a city rapidly transforming through gentrification, this skate plaza represents more than just a place to roll - it’s a declaration of community ownership.

A Historical Heartbeat

Located in what locals call Bobby Hutton Park (named after the first Black Panther Party recruit), the project carries deep historical significance. This isn’t just about skating; it’s about reclaiming and reimagining public spaces with intention and pride.

Community in Motion

With no indoor rinks within 25 miles and limited outdoor skating spaces, the Panther Skate Plaza isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s a necessary intervention. As skater Rody Jointer poignantly noted, in these divisive times, projects like these are about bringing people together and celebrating our shared humanity.

Get ready, Oakland - a new era of community connection is rolling in, one skate at a time.