First invented in the 1950s in California skateboarding now can be found anywhere around the world. Skateboarding is a youth subculture that emphasizes the importance of self-expression and taking risks. Considered one of the top 10 sports today, this unique sport is increasingly popular, despite its reputation as an outcast or rejected sport. Skateboard culture values individuality, creativity, and freedom. Skaters are known for their unrelenting dedication to progressing the sport holistically. The community is built on mutual respect; instead of one-upping each other, skaters often encourage their peers and embrace their differences.

We invite you to find out about the history and current state of skateboarding, about international skateboarding cultures and their manifestations in big cities and small villages. Join the American Center Moscow’s Street Culture: The Power of Skate Series of live conversations and don’t miss a unique opportunity to share your thoughts on the development of not only skateboarding but also the entire street culture and movement. We’ll talk about skateboarding, about old-school and new styles, and approaches, to understand what was then and what is happening now.

Going live every Tuesday evening in June 2023, this online series features Russian musician and DJ Sergey Ivanov in deep and engaging conversations with members of the international community of skateboarders, who compare skateboarding in their communities and cultures and discuss the effect of it on youth empowerment and sports. Tune in live on the American Center in Moscow’s YouTube channel, VK group, and Telegram channel to enjoy the conversations and to ask the artists questions!

The guest speakers on June 6th at 7:30 p.m. MSK are Rene John Sandy (United States), George Gachagua Karugu (Kenya), Kamau (Brazil), Andrew Rogov, Saveliy Kalinin, Viltaliy Isayev and Marianna Osipova from Russia.

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About the guest speakers:

Rene John Sandy II is an entertainment executive, life coach and nonprofit activist residing in Harlem, New York. As the CEO of RJSII Enterprises, Rene brings over twenty years of experience in talent management, entertainment marketing and brand management across the sports, music, food and beverage industries. Some of Rene’s clients include Top Chef Master Marcus Samuelsson, Fox Business correspondent and political strategist Tara Dowdell, WBLS MixMaster DJ Jon Quick, boxer and artist Vanessa Chakour and underground hip hop artist, Punchline. Some of that granted services companies are Nike, Cohiba Cigars, Red Rooster Restaurant, and Complete QB Quarterback Camp just to name a few.  In 2009, Rene merged his entertainment experience, love of music and unique power to inspire youth by founding the Hip Hop Loves Foundation, a nonprofit foundation which produces educational seminars grounded in hip hop culture. Rene has spearheaded Hip Hop Loves workshops in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ottawa, Canada, Russia, Haiti, Iraq, and Harlem, New York, has lectured on the powers of motivating youth through sports and hip hop at The United Nations Brown University, Muhammad Ali Center and has been featured in Black Enterprise Magazine.
Rene received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Syracuse University. In addition, Rene has a life coach certification from the Coaching from Transformation Program in New York City and is a Certified Chinese Herbalist Consultant.

George Gachagua Karugu is a Kenyan skateboarder, Chairman of the Skateboarding Society of Kenya and Founding member of Kickstart Skateboarding Initiative (NGO). He also creates skateboarding content for Fanta. George Gachagua Karugu studied architecture and is really keen on creating artistic and cultural skate parks.

Kamau is the MC, producer and street skater from São Paulo, Brazil. He has been skateboarding since 1988 and rapping since 1997. He can be considered a pinnacle for both cultures in Brazil. Working in the limelight or behind the scenes, Kamau is one of the main connections between both street cultures.

Russian Speakers:

Marianna Osipova is a social and hip hop activist from Zhukovsky, Russia, currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. She started her journey in hip hop with the street dance element in 2010’s and since then has been involved in a number of cultural, sports and research projects around hip hop and street culture as a whole in different geographical contexts, such as Russia, Brazil, Spain and Kenya. She is a co-founder of a community project started in her hometown in 2013 that brings hip hop artistic elements (street dance, music production, graffiti) and extreme sports together to drive social cohesion and youth development through arts and sports.

Bobisch (Interpreting)

Local Pro Skaters from Izhevsk city:

Andrew Rogov

About the moderator:

Sergey Ivanov is a Chief executive of Noosphere NGO, musician, DJ, poet, independent researcher. Participant and winner of the numerous music festivals and challenges (from Jazz to poetry and hip hop). Organizer of the events related to street culture and Hip Hop: festivals, conferences, jams, masterclasses, theater plays, and social activities. In 2012 Sergey got Ph.D. in Cultural studies at the State Pedagogical University, with the dissertation about Russian Hip Hop culture. He was also a Moscow skate rider in 2000-2009.

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ALL AMERICAN CENTER IN MOSCOW EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE / ВСЕ МЕРОПРИЯТИЯ АМЕРИКАНСКОГО ЦЕНТРА В МОСКВЕ БЕСПЛАТНЫ

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This event will be livestreamed on the American Center in Moscow’s YouTube channel, VK group, and Telegram channel.

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To join other AMC Online programs, please check the American Center’s website and TimePad calendars.