Mission

The mission of Concrete Queenz is to bring skateboarding to underserved girls in South LA. Through skateboarding we build community, independence, and lifelong learning, preparing our participants to be strong, independent, female athletes.

About the Founder: Audrey Faison

Audrey Faison was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Maryland, College Park. She went on to receive her Master’s in Urban Education: Administration and Policy at Loyola Marymount University.

Audrey moved to Los Angeles in 2016 and has been an Education Specialist for 7 years with Green Dot Public Schools. Audrey is passionate about working with underserved kids and has had the privilege to teach in the communities of West Athens, Compton, and Watts. Audrey currently teaches at Animo Mae Jemison in Compton.

Audrey has always been passionate about athletics and loves skateboarding and surfing. She is an ambassador for YOW Surf and is the Founder, President, and Program Director of Concrete Queenz.

Audrey is excited to continue to build Concrete Queenz into a successful non-profit with the goal of operating the program at numerous schools in South Los Angeles.

The Problem

Girls are not provided with the same athletic opportunities as boys.
There is a lack of Black, Indigenous, females of color represented in skateboarding.
Underserved girls often do not have access to safe spaces to build community, learn, and grow.
Underserved communities often do not have access to travel opportunities or the resources to learn about future career and educational opportunities.

Our Solution

Weekly skateboarding programming
Academic consultancy
1 field trip per semester (Venice Skatepark, Compton Skatepark, The Berrics etc.)
Community events with pro skater demos and advice from successful pro skater business owners
Summer Scholarships at Woodward West Skate Camp
Opportunities to participate in skate contests
Opportunities to collaborate with organizations that provide social emotional learning, yoga, surfing, etc.
Free merch from our sponsors and brand donors
*Every participant receives a skateboard, helmet, pads, and shoes (if needed)

Our Participants

We are currently operating at Animo Mae Jemison in Compton, CA. The chart represents our current and projected participants.

99% minority enrollment and 95% economically disadvantaged students

Our Growth Model

Option 1: There has been an overwhelming amount of interest in Concrete Queenz from students at AMJ. We currently have 25 girls in the program and have denied between 25-30 students due to capacity issues. Opening up 2 programming days would allow us to serve more students.

Option 2: Continue with 1 day at AMJ (About 25 participants) and add 1 day at Watts. This would allow for us to start with students in 6th grade at AMJ and continue with them through 12th grade. This would allow for a mentorship program between the middle school and high school program. We would also be able to have access to the ramps that are currently stationed at AMJ.

Option 3: In addition to Option 2, we would add additional programming at Animo Legacy. Our founder was a teacher there for 4 years and has a great relationship with the staff and a deep connection to the community. Legacy is a large campus and has ample space to store additional ramps. Expanding to another Green Dot School would allow for collaboration between groups and would connect the student community across schools in the district.

Our Sponsors and Brand Donors

Arbor Skateboards
Cariuma
Impala Skate
Triple8NYC
GrlSwirl
Indigo Garden
Pura Vida
Keen Ramps
Fat Sal’s
Mamaskate
Sean Davis and Grind Theory
Venice Skateboarding Stuff
Havalina Skate
Gold Coast Skateboards
Yowsurf
Jart Skateboards
Inner Black Yoga
Venice Surfing Association
Downhill Dogs
Explore Thousand
Area F Clothing
Day Watch

Fundraising Goals

$175,000 for staff salaries
$10,000 for insurance to keep our participats safe
$10,000 for program equipment and supplies
$5,000 for marketing and advertising materials

Website: www.concretequeenz.org

Instagram: @concretequeenz