‘It’s Freedom’: East St. Louis skating rink serves as safe place, bringing Black families together for decades

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - It’s served as a sanctuary that stretches across generations, serving as a source of entertainment, community and empowerment in the Black community.

You’ll hear many say when you put your skates to the floor - it’s freedom.

“Skating is just fun. Not only is it fun, it’s fitness. Not only is it fitness and fun, it’s fellowship, and when you talk about the fellowship, we have generations of skaters that have skated here,” said Mathew Foggy Jr., President and CEO of Skate King Corporation.

It was in 1970 that he decided to purchase and open the doors of what is now Skate City in East St. Louis.

“I had skated here as a youngster, and the name of the skating center was Starlight Skating Rink. It closed during the racial tension of the 60′s,” said Foggy.

That left a void for Black people in this East St. Louis community, forcing them to go to other communities to skate. It was a reflection of that time when the Civil Rights Movement was in full bloom.

“Dr. King was having sit ins, and calling for more rights for African American communities. It was during that time we were trying to skate, and rink owners would have one night set aside for the African American community to come to their community to skate. Incidentally, it was probably the most profitable night they would have, but show up any other night, it was quite obvious that you would not be welcomed,” Foggy said.

So, Foggy the 19 -year-old St. Louis University student, put together a business plan, and at 20 was able to open what would be called “Martin Luther King Memorial Skating Rink”.

Today, it’s one of the oldest black-owned skating centers in the country.

“We wanted to hold the same values that Dr. King had talked about of love, and embracing our community,” he said.

Those principals are ones that current owner, Lawrence Wise, continues to uphold today. He grew up working at the rink at 11 years old.

“I was a skater. I was one of them, they called “rink rats”, that skated around every day, every night, sweeping floors, and blowing the whistle,” said Wise.

He’s also seen the transformation of skate culture over the years.

“We went from disco skating at the time, and wearing outfits with platform shoes, and bell bottoms up until what people are now doing. All skating now is entertainment,” Wise added.

It’s a place filled with memories and milestones. Jerome Sanlin has seen it all. He started skating at the rink in 1956.

“I’ve seen people get engaged at the skating rink. Friendships have been made, and lifelong friendships,” said Sanlin.

Today, he’s one of the oldest skaters at the rink.

“How does it make you feel to get out on the floor? To a T most of them will say, I feel free from all the cares, problems and troubles of the day. The floor and the music, I am free,” Sanlin said.

The rink also served as an opportunity for artists and entertainers on their stop to fame.

“This was the mecca back then, when it was radio station WESL on the AM dial. You had Rod King AKA DJ Jockenstien. He used to do live remotes from here, and all the entertainers who came in town who went to the radio station, he brought them down here,” said Wise. “And the kids were so excited to see one of the rappers from Rapper’s Delight.”

In 1979, the radio station played a big role in hip hop’s national rise becoming the first station in the country to play the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.”

“And one of the rappers from Kool Mo Dee at that time. Those were the cool groups at the time,” said Wise.

The rink also made its mark after the Civil Rights Movement with an appearance from Coretta Scott King on their 20th anniversary.

“It was one of the highlights of my business career. it really was,” said Foggy.

Today, it continues to serve as a safe space, and saving grace.

“You would be surprised how many people that I don’t know that have walked up to me, and said that the skating center saved their lives,” said Foggy.

Renee Scott started coming to Skate City with her family at 5.

“Every year, when Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday came, the skating rink was opened to the public and we skated all night,” said Scott.

Over the years, she entered skating contests and racked up awards, and she hasn’t hung up the skates just yet. Foggy says it’s one of the beautiful things about skating.

“I think that roller skating has an appeal that is timeless,” he said.

Over the years, they’ve opened five skating rinks including in St. louis, New Jersey, to Shreveport. Skate King in St. Louis and Skate City are the two that remain today.

But, he’s confident roller skating is not going out of style anytime soon.

“I think it has filled a tremendous void in the community. It’s a place that people can come feel safe and feel loved,” said Foggy.

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