We recently connected with Johnny Brasley and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Johnny , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
my organization and I were recognized for our social impact thru our skateboard education scholarship that we offered at Parisite DIY skatepark. our non-profit organization (Transitional Spaces) is responsible for operating maintaining and managing the space
Transitional Spaces: Best of Social Impact Through Skateboarding in New Orleans of 2025
New Orleans is a city defined by resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of community. Leading the charge in youth empowerment through skateboarding, Transitional Spaces has been recognized with the Best of Social Impact Through Skateboarding in New Orleans of 2025 award. This honor highlights their unwavering commitment to fostering growth, education, and connection among local youth through the transformative power of skateboarding.
A Vision for Change Through Skateboarding
Founded on the principles of inclusion and opportunity, Transitional Spaces has redefined what it means to use skateboarding as a vehicle for social change. By launching the Parisite DIY – Skateboarding Lessons & Education Scholarships Program, the organization has created a dynamic space where young people can build confidence, learn essential life skills, and find a supportive community.
With strong partnerships from Essence Communications, Pearl Jam’s non-profit Vitalogy Foundation, artist Stone Gossard, AFROPUNK, Gnarly Barley, and Humidity Skate Shop, the organization has made significant strides in ensuring that skateboarding is accessible to all children, regardless of background or ability.
Transforming Lives One Skateboard at a Time
Many neighborhoods in New Orleans face challenges that limit opportunities for young people. Transitional Spaces recognizes the untapped potential within these communities and uses skateboarding as a catalyst for empowerment. Their free six-month skateboarding education program, in partnership with the United States Skateboarding Education Association (USSEA), provides young skaters with:
Certified instruction from experienced educators.
Free access to skateboards, with the opportunity to earn ownership.
A curriculum that incorporates safety, etiquette, and skill development.
A welcoming environment that fosters creativity and self-expression.
More than just a sport, skateboarding becomes a tool for youth to express themselves, develop resilience, and build meaningful friendships. By creating a positive, structured space, Transitional Spaces is helping shape a new generation of confident, engaged, and empowered individuals.
Beyond the Board: A Holistic Approach
The impact of Transitional Spaces extends beyond skateboarding tricks and techniques. Their programs emphasize:
Confidence: Encouraging perseverance and personal growth.
Healthy Habits: Promoting physical activity in a fun and engaging way.
Community Engagement: Connecting youth with mentors, peers, and positive role models.
Arts Advocacy: Integrating music, visual arts, performing arts, and culinary arts into the program.
Cultural Awareness: Teaching the rich history and values of skateboarding culture.
For many participants, the program represents far more than just recreation—it is a lifeline. It offers structure, support, and a clear pathway for personal growth and success.
Recognizing a Commitment to Social Impact
The Best of Social Impact Through Skateboarding in New Orleans of 2025 award is a testament to the life-changing work of Transitional Spaces. By combining education, mentorship, and community-building through skateboarding, the organization is creating lasting change in New Orleans.
As more children discover the power of skateboarding through this initiative, the ripple effect will be felt throughout the city and beyond. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters and the dedication of its educators, Transitional Spaces is proving that a skateboard can be more than just a piece of wood—it can be a key to a brighter future.
To learn more about their programs or to support their mission, visit Transitional Spaces.org
This is very meaningful to me because it was something i wish was offered to me when i was younger to hopefully get into skateboarding early and rid a lot of the stereo types around the culture of skateboarding.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Wegot the chance to talk with Johnny Brasley, director of Parisite DIY Skatepark off Paris Avenue, about the importance of having public spaces that people of color can easily access. Public greenspace and recreational space is less about the land it sits on and more about the community that gathers there and uses it.
Brasley points to Parisite DIY Skatepark as an example. Brasley, who was born and raised in New Orleans, fell in love with skateboarding and skate culture as a young person playing video games, specifically “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” on PlayStation. He picked up a skateboard at 17 years old and started practicing. Brasley said being able to land tricks after failing and failing tested his mental fortitude and his will. His passion for skateboarding grew.
That passion led to his work with Parisite DIY Skatepark. In 2008, Brasley and other skaters got together to build their own skatepark after years of unsuccessful attempts to get the city to invest in a public skatepark. When the city bulldozed the original DIY park in 2012, the group was determined to rebuild and started advocating at City Hall for support of the project.
“As I got older and had kids, I realized this was something that helped me out as a child,” Brasley said. “I thought, why not give back to the space when the opportunity was presented to me?”
After a long battle at City Hall, Parisite was granted permits and space to build a city-sanctioned skatepark in 2015. Its current spot off Paris Avenue in Gentilly is now a destination for local skaters and artists.
Brasley now serves as “Head-Skater-in-Charge” at the park. His larger mission? Transform blighted areas into safe and accessible recreational spaces. Parisite is designed to build a sense of community, Brasely said. People who attend the park might feel “different” within the larger community, but they create a bond through their love of skateboarding, he added.
Skateboarding “is a unique individual interaction, but you’re able to do it together and cheer each other on in your individuality,” Brasley said.
Shared space, in turn, connects people to the community at a deeper level. For Brasley, that’s the power of well-maintained and cared for public spaces–they can support a community and give people the freedom to be themselves.
“It’s a love-hate relationship at times, but the impact and instant gratification from working with the kids and seeing them grow and develop makes it all worth it,” Brasley said.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
We leverage skateboarding as a dynamic platform to foster lifestyle athletics, promote physical and mental well-being, and cultivate a vibrant engagement with the arts, encompassing music, visual arts, and culinary arts.
Johnny Brasley is an African American community development organizer and non-profit manager from New Orleans. A former competitive swimmer, Johnny discovered skateboarding at 15 and found solace in its creative freedom. As President and CEO of Parisite DIY and Transitional Spaces, he fosters community growth through skateboarding, food, and music. Johnny transformed Parasite DIY into a vibrant community hub, hosting skate jams, family dinners, and music events. He now seeks to replicate this model nationwide.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
To me the most rewarding aspect of it all is the creation aspect of it all. Having a goal or vision in your head. then constantly pushing and refining it into something that has a positive impact on yourself and the people that benefit from the efforts and resources. Something going from idea to something tangible is so rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: transitionalspaces.org / parisitediy.com
- Instagram: kingxcloudxkicker /TS_nola / parisite_diy
- Youtube: parisite diy
Image Credits
Irvin washington