Dream Detroit Skating Academy (DDSA) is the first Black owned ice skating academy based in Detroit, Michigan.
DDSA was founded by Angela Blocker-Loyd and Candice Tamakloe, two of only a few competitive African American skaters in the metropolitan Detroit area.
Angela started figure skating at 9 years old and was one of the youngest skaters at the Berkley Ice Arena and Recreation Center at the time. Candice, who was 14 years old at the time took Angela on as a little sister.
As their skating careers progressed, both ladies noticed that there was a lack of representation and opportunity for Detroit youth in the figure skating world.
With hopes of being the change they wanted to see, Candice and Angela launched Dream Detroit Skating Academy at the Jack Adams Memorial Ice Arena in Detroit.
DDSA is also run by Crystal Stewart, who began ice skating at age 6, through the Berkley Recreation Department, alongside the co-founders.
“There has never been a skater at the national or international level to come out of the city of Detroit,” Candice told the Detroit Free Press. “We want to bring that quality back into the city.”
DDSA offers a rigorous figure skating program with the goal of preparing Detroit’s youth for a variety of figure skating disciplines.
It also offers both group and private figure skating lessons to youth ages 4 and up with skill-building opportunities starting from Learn to Skate classes to competitive and ice show performances.
Subscribe and Follow SHOPPE BLACK on Facebook, Instagram &Twitter
The post First Black Owned Ice Skating Academy Opens in Detroit appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
