Where We Glide & Grow
We are F.L.Y. Skates Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Lanham, Maryland, serving the DMV area, Orlando, Atlanta, and growing communities nationwide. Our team brings healing and growth through roller skating programs including FLY Skates Academy™ Workshops, Wellness on Wheels™, Mentorship Through Movement, Legacy Awards, and intergenerational community events. Each program centers BIPOC experiences while creating spaces where everyone belongs, grows, and gives back. Ready to bring skating-powered healing to your community? Connect with us at [email protected] or call (240) 206 -1007 to discuss how we can skate forward together.
Traditions in Motion
We grew from recognizing that roller skating—deeply rooted in Black cultural traditions—offers more than recreation; it provides a powerful tool for physical wellness, mental health, and community building. Our foundation brings together skaters of all ages and backgrounds while honoring the cultural significance and history of skating in BIPOC communities. We value the wisdom of elder skaters who paved the way while creating new opportunities for youth to discover strength through movement. Our approach bridges generations, creating spaces where knowledge flows between seasoned skaters and newcomers, forming connections that extend beyond the rink into lasting community bonds.
Balance Through Belonging
We believe in skating as medicine—a practice that heals both individuals and communities through rhythm, balance, and shared joy. Our approach stands apart because we combine trauma-informed wellness practices with the cultural richness of roller skating traditions. We honor our elders through the MMOM (Master Mentor of Movement) model, creating spaces where their wisdom guides the next generation. Our programs reach beyond typical recreation to address real community needs: mental health support for youth, physical wellness for seniors, and meaningful connection across generations. We make these services accessible regardless of financial means, ensuring that healing movement reaches those who need it most.
First love yourself, share knowledge, and together everyone serves
The Path to F.L.Y.
The foundation we know today grew from decades of service, skating passion, and community building. This timeline highlights key moments that transformed one veteran's vision into a movement that continues to gather momentum and create lasting impact across generations.
Dr. Laurant "Drelġé" Jolly
Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Laurant "Drelġé" Jolly (he/him) founded F.L.Y. Skates Foundation Inc. after a distinguished career as a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and federal executive. With over 30 years of service, Dr. Jolly combines his military leadership experience with his lifelong passion for roller skating to create programs that heal communities through movement. As author, educator, and skater, Dr. Jolly developed the foundation's guiding principle: F.L.Y. Skates (First Love Yourself – Share Knowledge and Together Everyone Serves). His academic credentials include a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership and multiple master's degrees spanning psychology, leadership, and technology. Dr. Jolly brings a unique perspective as a proud Black, gay veteran dedicated to empowering BIPOC youth and honoring skating culture. Beyond the foundation, Dr. Jolly co-founded the JiveBiscuit Skate Family Reunion and authored works on roller skating history and culture. His creation of the Drelġé Podcast™ and broader Drelġé Legacy Universe™ connects skating to education, storytelling, and community transformation, turning wheels into tools for lasting social change.
Master Mentor of Movement
Honoring Skating's Guiding Lights
The Master Mentor of Movement (MMOM) recognition celebrates elder skaters and community leaders who have shaped skating culture through decades of dedication and wisdom. These honored mentors receive public recognition and commemorative items, but their greatest contribution comes through the knowledge they share with younger generations. By highlighting these living legends, we preserve vital skating history while creating meaningful connections between youth and elders. The MMOM program transforms individual achievements into community inheritance, ensuring skating traditions and cultural wisdom continue to flow between generations, strengthening our foundation's mission of healing through movement.