In the heart of West Oakland, a vibrant community of roller skaters is transforming a local park into a powerful symbol of Black joy and resilience. The Panther Prowl skaters are leading an inspiring effort to create the Panther Skate Plaza, an outdoor rink that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of roller skating in the Black community.

What started as a pandemic gathering has blossomed into a weekly Thursday night tradition at DeFremery Park, now an official Oakland Parks and Recreation program. Dozens of residents gather to skate, connect, and build community on the basketball court, accompanied by a Black Panther Party-inspired farmers market.

The proposed permanent skate plaza will be strategically located between the park’s basketball and skateboard courts, in an area locally known as Bobby Hutton Park - named after the first recruit of the Black Panther Party. This location is deeply significant, as the park historically served as a crucial hub for community organizing and political action.

Project organizer Donna Norcom Milich emphasizes that this isn’t just about creating recreational space - it’s about preserving and celebrating Black culture. “It’s about Black joy. It is access to recreational space,” she explains. “It’s about making space for the people that already live here to do the things that enhance their lives”.

The need for such a space is clear: there are no indoor rinks within 25 miles of Oakland, and outdoor skating spaces are scarce in the East Bay. By creating the Panther Skate Plaza, the community is not just building an rink, but reclaiming public space and creating a lasting testament to Black creativity and community resilience.

Skater Rody Jointer captures the project’s broader vision, noting that in these divisive times, community initiatives like these are more important than ever. “We just need to really come together and keep doing things like this,” he says - a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of community-driven projects.

As the Panther Skate Plaza moves closer to becoming a reality, it stands as a vibrant example of how grassroots efforts can reimagine public spaces and celebrate cultural heritage.