How Black roller skaters put St. Louis skate style on the map

St. Louis' skate style is known across the country. Young skaters and OGs — a term of endearment for someone who’s been rolling for more than 20 years — agree that St. Louis’ style is smooth.

“Every city has their own flavor and their own style, but St. Louis has this style that out of everybody, you stick out like a sore thumb because we're more intricate in our moves and more on a laid back-pace,” said Chris Sims, an OG skater, on a recent Saturday at Coachlite Skate Center in Bridgeton.

Coachlite and Skate King in Pine Lawn are two popular places to skate. In business for more than 50 years, Skate King is the oldest Black-owned rink in the region.

Skating is particularly popular for Black St. Louisans. It first gained hold during the Civil Rights Movement. At the rink, many Black people felt that they could more freely express themselves without facing discrimination.

Skate King is where Easha Griffin, 17, was skating on a recent weekend. She said she’s been skating all her life but started taking it seriously two years ago.