We had the good fortune of connecting with Eileen Pagan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eileen, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
We started Trans Sk8 Club because we recognized there was a need for inclusion and representation in the skate community for trans skaters. We wanted to create a brave space for trans people to meet, create community, and fall in love with skating. My hope is that we create more representation in the skate community at large of what a skater is. We want to focus on trans joy, and what it means to find that in movement on skates. Centering our collective joy, and creating an intentional space to hold that together as a skate community has been a life changing force.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of the community and reach we have! We started as a club for Atlanta trans skaters but have members and friends in other states who want to skate with us and follow our journey. I also am really proud of the progress that all the members in our group have made and how we have been a part of that growth for them.

We have had some difficulty, mostly transphobia from other communities, but we are grateful and are lucky to have such strong and supportive community who believe in us and our vision. We’ve learned to lean into our community when in need, and that we are all stronger together.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If we had to build an itinerary for a skate trip in Atlanta here is what it would be:

Would probably start off the day by strapping on our skates by the Piedmont Park beltline entrance and skating towards Ponce City Market in search for the best cup of coffee, then stopping for lunch at any of the great restaurants on the beltline. Make our way to the O4W skatepark on the beltline and do some park skating or just watch. Then later in the night head to any on of our many rinks for a adult night skate.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I have to mention the other moderators of Trans Sk8 Club, AJ, Adrianna, and Ten. Without their support, our club would not be where it is today. They help me plan and scheme of a more beautiful future for Trans Sk8 Club and I am so grateful. I would not be where I am as a rollerskater and member of this community without my friend Josh (@therollergay). Josh has always pushed and supported me through every step of creating and hosting Trans Sk8 Club events.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trans_sk8_club/

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