We Raised $6,500 for African Youth through our inaugural"Shape In Motion" Art Benefit
October 2, 2026 at 6:00:04 PM
SHAPE Skate Foundation’s recent "Shape In Motion" Art Benefit and silent auction, which took place last weekend at the French Embassy to support our Youth Empowerment program was a huge success, raising over $6,500 in donations.
Thanks to our community and supporters, the event was a resounding success. We brought together over 140 guests and featured 9 vendors showcasing and selling their own arts and crafts. Through generous donations, silent auction sales, and proceeds from our new fashion line, we raised a total of $6,500.
These funds will go directly toward our mission to send African skateboarding youth from four countries to Dakar for the 2026 Youth Olympics.
The event featured three anchoring highlights:
Silent Auction & Art Market: 25 unique items were donated to the silent auction, with 9 successfully sold.
Fashion Show: Debuted our West African clothing line in collaboration with Nigerian designer Xtiantus Official. Significant portion of these sales went towards the Dakar Mentorship.
Keynote & Special Guest Speakers: Featured keynote remarks from Rama Yade, former French Minister of Sports, and a special guest appearance by Zambian Olympic skater Mukuka Chambe.
The profound impact of the evening was highlighted through powerful dialogue with Imoh and Mukuka, alongside Rama Yade's remarks emphasizing the crucial role of sports in international diplomacy and economic growth.
We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible sponsors who made this event possible: Framebridge, Tunlaw Industries, The Skate Room, New Balance Numeric, and Chris Fortune.
We are still looking to secure further donations to reach our goal of $10,000 in order to ensure that all of the selected youth make it to Dakar for our mentorship program.
Photography by Brandon Payne.
Additional Photos by Sean Eckenfels.
