ANANSI the SPIDER is a West African mythological figure dubbed the ‘Owner of all Stories’. Through resourcefulness and creativity, he overcomes many obstacles outsmarting the “superior” characters he encounters on his journeys. At ASL, we celebrate Anansi’s spirit of creativity and independence by empowering students to have faith in their abilities and courage to forge their own paths.
LEARN SKATEBOARDING
There’s only one activity we put above skateboarding and that is the process of learning. At ASL, we support not simply your growth as a skateboarder, but the development of your learning process. Failing and falling is celebrated as an essential component of elevating skillsets. We’re here to guide and encourage you on your path to success!
Instructor
Mame Fremah Bonsu
Founder & Instructor
Born in Queens, NY and raised in Lewiston, ME, Mame first began skateboarding at the age of 7. Raised by an African immigrant and single mother, she found in skateboarding a sanctuary from the challenges and loneliness of being the only minority in school, extracurriculars and summer camp. She is the Community Impact Manager at The Skatepark Project (formerly Tony Hawk Foundation), and a graduate of Swarthmore College where she received her Bachelor's in English Literature and a French Studies minor. She has taught skateboarding for the better part of a decade, and has raised funds to support the growing skate scene in Ghana. Through trials and tribulations ranging from career to relationships, skateboarding has remained her most devoted companion. She hopes to share her love for sport, culture, and lifestyle with YOU! <3
When I was young, my mother would say, “play with Anansi” when she was too busy for a game, meaning I had to play as myself and as an imaginary opponent. Similarly, in skateboarding, there’s no outside competition. Anansi represents self-discovery, wisdom, and skill. Growing up as a minority, I once distanced myself from my roots, but have since grown to embrace them. You don’t need superhuman abilities like Anansi to feel empowered. We can all access our excellence by recognizing our vulnerabilities. Skateboarding embodies risk, reward, and self-discovery, and ASL exists to share this journey with the next generation.