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Curating A Community
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Curating A Community
One of the most talked about from X Games Forum was our panel of inspiring individuals who are actively working to expand the landscape of what our action sports community looks like, including our host, Selema Masekela, with Ashley Laporte, Eliette Singleton, and Briana King, who discuss the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the action sports community.
“In the history of X Games, there’s never been a stage that looked like this. So I just want to sit and bask in the moment and the energy of us. I have been with X Games, I started in 1999. I think over the course of those years, there would be two or three of us in total that were working these games, let alone in the industry or competing. “
Ashley Laporte, the VP of Impact and Purpose at Burton Snowboards, emphasizes the need for genuine inclusion and community building within the industry. She highlighted the need for brands to build relationships with community leaders and pour into existing community organizers to foster a more diverse and welcoming space.
Briana King, a skateboarder, model and community leader, shared her personal journey into skateboarding and the importance of finding a supportive community where individuals can feel accepted and celebrated for who they are. She emphasized the significance of representation and inclusivity in action sports.
Eliette Singleton, a photographer and content creator, shares her experience of creating a welcoming community through GRLSWIRL, where skaters of all levels are encouraged to participate and have fun. She emphasizes the importance of creating a space where individuals don't have to explain themselves.
Selema Masekela, X Games Chief of Sports Culture and host, discusses the global impact of action sports and the joy it brings to diverse communities worldwide. He emphasizes the transformative power of these sports, especially for marginalized groups, and the need for the industry to support and uplift those doing the work to create inclusive spaces.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The thought-provoking discussion highlighted the passion and dedication of individuals who envision a future where the action sports community is inclusive, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and providing a space for joy, play, and self-expression. They emphasized the global reach and impact of action sports in diverse communities worldwide. Their insights underscore the ongoing work needed to create a more diverse and equitable industry.
QUOTES FROM PANEL
 | “Even though there are spaces that are built for us, we’re still really odd … But I really just love the community that I have specifically have, and I’m still trying to find my space within others.” Briana King |
 | “The next generation of people, Gen X and Gen Alpha, who are entering into this space, it’s the most diverse generations of our nation, of our societal global history. Diverse across race and ethnicity, diverse across really open ideas of gender and sexual identity. And so this is a pragmatic question of are we ready to coexist? Are we ready to collaborate and build together?” Ashley Laporte |
 | “Building communities where people are so thoughtful and intentional that when anybody shows up, they don’t have to explain themselves.” Eliette Singleton |
 | “If we as an industry can figure out better ways to support the people that are doing the work and really lean into that, we have a future of an industry that will defy logic 10, 15, 20 years from now.” Selema Masekela |
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