Derby Without Borders

We’ve had something we’ve been meaning to tell you all for a while now…The Pandemic world pushed us into new and different ways of supporting the community through skating. It also pushed us to different limits within developing a nonprofit organization and learning how to navigate all kinds of obstacles. We’ve been so fortunate to expand our programming to include a much more diverse array of skating. And what we’ve realized is that as an organization who supports roller skating of all kinds there is something didn’t quite fit us anymore. Our NAME!

After much deliberation, community planning and organizing we realized that what we do and who we are is bigger than just roller derby. We are so STOKED to announce to you all that we are now Skaters Without Borders!!!! You can check out all the amazing work we’ve been doing on our new page not to worry, this page will still be here and will have a derby focus too. Go check it out and let your friends know about this new and exciting chapter!

We are so excited to continue growing and expanding who and what we are while still committing to anti-racist radically inclusive and accessible programming. We have BIG things ahead of us and we are so excited to share our continuous journey with you!

It’s “Giving Tuesday” and we have a lot to say. This year has been difficult for so many of us and given us a lot of time to reflect on the things that give us hope, joy, and feelings of freedom.

As an organization, it feels very difficult right now to ask for financial support as we know this year has hit so many in different ways.

We do know that skating has given us a sense of hope, joy, and freedom and we hope to spread this joy to others during these times.

In order for us to continue to expand and create sustainable access to skates, equipment and programming we are asking that those who have the means to donate, consider helping us reach our final fundraising goal of $5,000 by the end of 2020.

We are looking forward to achieving our goals together to help continue the work of accessible skating in 2021 and beyond!

To donate visit the link in our bio or go to derbywithoutborders.org/donate

We believe deeply in community support and mutual aid. Our accomplice, community partner and friend (founder of ) is in need of community support. If you have felt supported, loved, seen because of their work or their friendship we ask you to consider donating at PayPal http://paypal.me/helpingaletamarie or sharing.

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If you know Olive, then you know that they will do just about anything to support those who need it. Mutual aid and community are some of the most integral parts of their being. They created Q***r Skate Alliance to support others, to build community, to lift up others. This sudden and surreal grief that’s hit their family is devastating. If you can support by donating to their PayPal or share and signal boost it will be supporting the heart of a community leader, of a kind, generous and steadfast human and a loving and supportive friend.

We love this community so much, and we hear you.

The past few months have brought a lot to light, and now you might have a more complicated relationship with your skates. We know that for most, skates are a luxury item and an investment, and the finances just aren’t there for a new pair.

We want to help.

Which is why we created a trade-in program!

Inventory is limited, so BIPOC skaters wanting to participate will be prioritized.
Check out the link for the application here: https://maedae.typeform.com/to/HX0bgQAa , or message us for more information!

In a perfect world, we’d have the funding to replace skates for everyone and we’re working hard to make that a reality. Stay tuned for some exciting updates on this soon.

Until then… keep wearing your mask and remember Black Lives Still Matter.

Amamos esta comunidad muchisimo, y les escuchamos.
Estos últimos meses trajeron a la luz algunos hechos, y sabemos que en este momento puede que estén en una relación complicada con sus patines. También sabemos que para la mayoría los patines son no solo una inversion, si no casi un articulo de lujo y que la situación económica actual a veces no permite comprar un par nuevo.
Queremos ayudarles.

¡Creamos un programa de cambios y trueques! Nuestro inventario es limitado, así que les patinadores afro-negre-racializades-indigenas (BIPOC) tendrán prioridad a la hora de inscribirse.

Aplicar al program aqui: https://maedae.typeform.com/to/EstAw3Dw, también pueden escribirnos por DM para mas información.

En un mundo ideal nos encantaría financiar cambios de patines para todes y estamos trabajando mucho para volver esa idea una realidad.
Esten al tanto, porque próximamente habrá novedades.
Mientras tanto... usen tapabocas y recuerden que las vidas negras importan.

Still riding Motas and struggling with it?
Stuck rocking gear from any brand that’s let you down lately?
We want to help.

Finding out that you’ve financially, personally, and publicly supported something that doesn’t align with your values is hard. Really hard. Especially in the roller skating community where cost and country/location can often limit or exclude you from alternatives.

We do not believe that finances should trap you into supporting businesses that don’t support your rights, your personhood, or skaters like you.

We’re all passionate about skating, and while there are some skate businesses holding themselves accountable, we need to remember that skate businesses are also passionate about selling and growing.

How many of the # challenges inspire, but also drive sales? How many sponsored skaters were promoting prior to being compensated? Prioritizing clout, power, and sales is normal in the business world, and it also perpetuates the harm inherent in capitalism.

We believe deeply in wealth distribution and mutual aid, in roller skating and society, and that it is our drive as a community to build the systems and structures that we want to see in the world. Dismantling capitalism is not easy, or even popular, but it is anti-racist, pro-Black, and possible.

In order to empower this possibility we have created a skate trade in program. Stay tuned for our next post for details on how to be involved in this important work.

We’d like to take some time to acknowledge the roots of the current black and white challenge and amplify the voices of this global issue.

Thank you to and many others taking the time and energy to educate us.

In cased you missed it we are so excited about our new merch campaign! We have 3 new designs in our Bonfire merch shop. The amazingly talented artist Taylor Ruffin will be receiving 90% of sales and 10% will go to help fund Derby Without Borders projects!

Check out the bonfire link: https://www.bonfire.com/store/derbywithoutborders/ and be sure to follow Taylor's page for more incredible art genius!

Derby Without Borders | Bonfire Check out Derby Without Borders on Bonfire and shop official merchandise today! Featuring limited edition custom apparel, printed with care in the USA just for you.

Thank you to for the consistent and persistent emotional labor you have done for the derby community for years.

This letter to the derby community is an asset to us all. We’ve added it to our link tree in our bio.

Please read, digest, reflect and then create action around these steps. Change must be both internal and external to be impactful and concrete.

Thank you for this work and for the space that you hold in this sport.


・・・
We think that WFTDA can do more to support Black skaters. In this open letter, we share our ideas for where to start. , we want you to get into the weeds with us. Help us fight for racial justice in roller derby (link to full letter in bio).

We are so grateful for the continued support of our community. Removing barriers to accessibility within the skateosphere just simply wouldn’t be possible without our collection points and more importantly YOU, our generous donors.

Here is our patiently anticipated list of updated collection points for 2020. Our new Covid-19 protocol asks that all donations be sanitized with 99% alcohol spray to ensure risk of contamination.

A BIG thank you to our incredible partners at

If you have any questions you can send us a message or email us at [email protected]

Though more than two years had passed since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and months since the Civil War had ended, many southern slave owners refused to free the people they illegally held captive. On this day in 1865, Union Soldiers descended on Texas to inform still-enslaved people that they were free. Juneteenth honors that event, and in the years following has become a celebration of Black pride, history, and resilience.

While Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in our country, there is no doubt that Black oppression has taken new and insidious forms. In recent weeks, police violence in Black communities has reminded us of the pervasive and systematic racism that plagues our country. Yet still, many people refuse to acknowledge or act on the injustice.

Juneteenth of 2020 arrives amid mass protests to ensure the rights and the safety of Black people and a wide-spread demand for equity and justice.

The activism we’ve seen in the last few weeks, which is primarily Black-led, is not new. It is part of a long tradition of Black resistance and it speaks to the very strength and power that Juneteenth celebrates.

With this in mind and in honor of Juneteenth, we urge you to add your name to the petition to make this day a national holiday. We urge you to donate to a local Black-run social justice organization and to show up to one of the many events held in honor of Juneteenth, virtually or in person.

We wish everyone in the roller derby community and beyond a very happy Juneteenth.


@ Oakland, California

As an organization dedicated to supporting skaters of marginalized identities, we would like to offer an exchange program to any skaters of color who want to donate their Mota Skates to us. If you are a POC who would otherwise be without skates we will do our best to get you a pair of skates in your size from our donation inventory. We may not have skates that are comparable to Motas but we will do our best to get you something to skate.

We also encourage those who can to donate to the gofundme to created by F YEAH Printing and Department of Skate to help skaters of color replace their skates. https://www.gofundme.com/f/skate-replacement-fund-for-skaters-of-color?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR35eUKjgLZf_ylCl-18oUmSAAbXqOww1dMi_-poBINBi7U5RdwCV66Wiq0

Please contact us if you have any questions. Remember to wash your hands and follow the lead of Black activists.

Skate Replacement fund for Skaters of Color organized by Luan Evans we’ve heard you Mota. We’ve heard your silence and complacency. We’ve heard yo… Luan Evans needs your support for Skate Replacement fund for Skaters of Color

We must stay vigilant. We must tear down white fragility and white complacency wherever we see it. In ourselves and in our communities.

We continue to focus our energies and efforts on lifting up the marginalized voices in society. The fight will continue.

We are centering the voices, experiences and emotions of BIPOC, of those marginalized by a system that commits murder. It is not enough to acknowledge this, we must create action.

We have seen
reveal their true beliefs, time and time again, and the community has answered. The white fragility on display from this business and their owners is contributing to death and violence daily.

We appreciate those who wish to donate their skates to us so we can pass them on to teams who face many systemic challenges that contribute to a lack of access to resources.

If you are interested in donating your skates to Derby Without Borders we ask that you sanitize your donations before sending to us or one of the collection points listed on our website (please check to see if they are able to receive donations at this time). We suggest a deep cleaning, and the removal of any offensive and fascist logos from the skates, if you are having a hard time removing logos we suggest a simple sharpie or paint cover up with phrases such as Black Lives Matter, ACAB, Defund 12 or other friendly words of encouragement at this time.

Please reach out to us if you have any further questions, we are happy to do what we can at this time.

Artist cred: please go buy her work. $taylorruffi