Can you imagine finding joy and community during a global pandemic? Learn about the Melanated Jump Squad, a heartwarming initiative that brought people together through the art of double dutch jump rope. Born from a serendipitous meeting at a Black Girls Jump event in Compton, this inspiring group was founded on the desire to escape the confines of pandemic life and rediscover joy and movement. Meet key members Courtney and Serena as they share their personal motivations and the pivotal moment that ignited their passion for this beloved activity. Discover how this dynamic duo turned a simple idea into a movement that empowers children and adults in inner cities.
Host KC Carnage (@iamkccarnage), Courtney (@justcourtneyt) and Serena (@queen_serena)
Daz It Daz All is written by KC Carnage (@iamkccarnage) and Produced by KC Carnage and Rick Barrio Dill (@rickbarriodill). Associate producer Bri Coorey (@bri_beats), Audio and Video Engineering and Studio facilities provided by S.L.A.P. Studios LA (@SLAPStudiosLA) with distribution through our collective for social progress and cultural expression, SLAP the Network. (@SLAPtheNetwork.com)
If you have any ideas for a show you want to see or hear, email us at info@SLAPtheNetwork.com and as always, you can go to dazitdazall.com and sign up there to make sure you never miss a thing...
Can you imagine finding joy and community during a global pandemic? Learn about the Melanated Jump Squad, a heartwarming initiative that brought people together through the art of double dutch jump rope. Born from a serendipitous meeting at a Black Girls Jump event in Compton, this inspiring group was founded on the desire to escape the confines of pandemic life and rediscover joy and movement. Meet key members Courtney and Serena as they share their personal motivations and the pivotal moment that ignited their passion for this beloved activity. Discover how this dynamic duo turned a simple idea into a movement that empowers children and adults in inner cities.
Host KC Carnage (@iamkccarnage), Courtney (@justcourtneyt) and Serena (@queen_serena)
Daz It Daz All is written by KC Carnage (@iamkccarnage) and Produced by KC Carnage and Rick Barrio Dill (@rickbarriodill). Associate producer Bri Coorey (@bri_beats), Audio and Video Engineering and Studio facilities provided by S.L.A.P. Studios LA (@SLAPStudiosLA) with distribution through our collective for social progress and cultural expression, SLAP the Network. (@SLAPtheNetwork.com)
If you have any ideas for a show you want to see or hear, email us at info@SLAPtheNetwork.com and as always, you can go to dazitdazall.com and sign up there to make sure you never miss a thing...
See you next show!
Speaker 1:
I had to learn how to bunny hop. Right, I had to learn how to bunny hop and then you got the what was it?
Speaker 2:
the typewriter.
Speaker 3:
That's what they call it.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, my mom used to call it that, the typewriter, and then I remember when I first learned how to jump in from inside. Already, that's it, that's all. That's it, that's all. Black excellence at its finest. How that skin glows. She's a true diamond, with the world right out back. She's still smiling, never left that crown till she stays thriving. That's it, that's all. That's it. That's all. That's it. That's all, that's it, that's all. Is that really it, though? What up, what up, what up? Welcome to. That's it. That's it, that's all. That's it, that's all. Is that really it, though?
Speaker 2:
I guess came upon on Facebook and ended up getting to do something with them. We have the Melanated Jump Squad. Hey, tell them your names, ladies. I know you. They don't know you. I'm Courtney, I'm Serena. Okay, hey y'all. So let me give you guys a little bit about the organization. They started in January of 2021. Melanated Jump Squad is an outlet for communities that they serve. They want to empower movement combined with fun and allows us to be mentally, emotionally and physically well. They strive to provide fun and memorable double dutch jumping rope. You know atmosphere, so double dutch is one of my favorite things to do as even a young kid, and I was going over the information that you guys sent me and I thought it was a very funny story that you guys used to grab the cables from the cable course.
Speaker 1:
That's all we jump with, so give us a little background.
Speaker 2:
What made you guys start the organization? I know a little bit that you guys started after pandemic, but yes, yeah, dive into it.
Speaker 3:
Okay. So it all kind of snowballed from an event that was held in Compton at the Compton airport by an organization called Black Girls Jump, and so I was on I think it was meetup or one of those random sites where you just kind of look for something to do in the city and I found it, and I didn't have anybody to go with me, except for my son at the time who was about who. He had to be at least three, four at that time, and so I said you know what you're going, I don't care. Mommy got to jump, and because that was the first time I saw Double Dutch and over a decade for sure, that was the first time I saw Double Dutch in over a decade for sure and so it was a great, great experience.
Speaker 3:
Black Girls Jump, I think they held from Chicago, and so at that event I got my first pair of ropes, the founder. I didn't know she was the founder at that time, but I was complimenting her on the ropes that we were using during they had like a contest towards the end of the event, and that's when Sherelle and I teamed up.
Speaker 3:
It was myself, sherelle, and who I found out to be a rapper. I think her name is Dynasty.
Speaker 2:
Okay.
Speaker 3:
Don't quote me on that. I believe it's Dynasty. And so we kind of rocked out for that day and I complimented the founder on the ropes and she was like, oh, you like them? You can have them and I'm like what mind you? They're selling ropes at the event and these were like not the same type of ropes. What kind of rope was it? It was like a telephone cord. It kind of resembled that. Okay, there wasn't much so that was.
Speaker 3:
I was like, oh, I like these, you know. I'm like, where did you get them? I'm like inquiring about them. And so she just handed them to me and so so I sat on them for a few years. I ended up having a baby during the pandemic and I watched Sherelle from a distance and about the end of 2020, I said, you know what girl I got to get outside. I have to get outside after being pregnant, going through a pandemic, homeschooling my toddler. I was going stir crazy, and so I just reached out to her because I said two thirds, you know, it shouldn't be hard to find a third. And so I proposed the idea that maybe we can go to Leimert Park, because I'm from LA and that's the mecca for Afrocentric art and expression, and so I just figured that if we go there, you know it's already a village atmosphere There- might be people that might want to join Exactly.
Speaker 3:
So I'm like we'll just go out there and start turning, you know, and see what we attract. And lo and behold, here we are.
Speaker 2:
You know what I mean.
Speaker 3:
Years later.
Speaker 2:
So, Serena, are you a member of the squad? I'm a member of the squad. I'm a member of the squad now.
Speaker 1:
Thankfully somebody connected us.
Speaker 3:
Shout out to her.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I came in contact with her through someone else, a mutual friend of ours, who knew that she needed an extra person for an event, and she also knew that I like to jump double dutch. I used to jump with another crew in the Merc Park years ago. So she connected us and I came to that event and I've just been connected ever since we clicked right off the bat.
Speaker 2:
I mean, how can you not click? I'm just saying that's right, that's true, you'd be surprised. Yes. Other than the love of jumping rope. One of the other things that I think I found very admirable is that you guys do a lot of community events especially in the inner cities and stuff like that. Let's talk about that. What is the goal behind that? Are you reaching younger children as an adult thing, or how does that work?
Speaker 3:
we go ahead go ahead.
Speaker 1:
I was gonna say, um, as far as like community work, yes, we do like to reach the younger children, but then also bring adults into it too, because we like to have fun right.
Speaker 3:
Let's not forget that we like to play too.
Speaker 1:
It's good to have that nostalgic memory. Like Double Dutch. Everybody comes up like, oh, I haven't done that in forever.
Speaker 2:
They get in the ropes. Didn't it disappear for a second? Was it just me? I feel like it was everywhere.
Speaker 1:
You couldn't go and walk down a corner and people wasn't Double.
Speaker 2:
Dutch, all of a sudden I looked up, nobody was Double dutching.
Speaker 3:
You know what it was.
Speaker 2:
Now you got some single rope jumpers.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, performative. That's cool, but yeah, so yeah, I actually correlate that with, like the dawn of the internet, If you think of. I can remember very distinctly from, you know, my homegirls kind of coming up.
Speaker 3:
I had a few homegirls that I grew up with on my block and that's actually where I learned to jump, and one family in particular had, like that, computer had AOL had the whole setup and so we were inside exploring the new you know what I mean, the newness of the Internet and nobody was playing outside anymore, and that's kind of like my distinct memory. No, I remember that.
Speaker 2:
I kind of remember that too. So my niece, she was born in 2000, right, 2000. It got to a point I was just like don't you go outside? And play Like because like I mean I grew up in. I was like I remember the internet coming out. I remember, you know, having to be home to call somebody.
Speaker 2:
There was no phone and a beeper came out and you would hope you had a quarter or a dime to make that call. And then so, like I do, I think that like playing outside and like instilling that motion Because kids were fit, like racing.
Speaker 1:
You remember running over racing.
Speaker 2:
You'd be running up and down the street all day long Down the street Playing tag or racing down the street playing tag on your bike, jumping rope on your bike and then, all of a sudden, there was no kids on the streets, all the things, all the things. So I think, that's a beautiful thing and I think that, like instilling, like motion and, you know, exercising, but also what I noticed, that it was a lot of beautiful things that came out of the pandemic people just started creating all kind of things.
Speaker 1:
For sure, people got really creative really creative.
Speaker 2:
You have all these uh, these videos cooking people starting a lot of cooking, yeah, um, so how? Many events have you guys done so far?
Speaker 3:
oh, that's a good question. I haven't really kept count, to be honest. Um, what would you say?
Speaker 1:
I have no idea. I would have to like look at a list.
Speaker 3:
I would say anywhere between like 75 to 100 oh nice, do you guys do any competitions? Not yet. I can't word yet, so next time I pop through.
Speaker 2:
I'm gonna pop through.
Speaker 3:
I just made some connections on the west coast and that's all I'm going to say. Okay, so you know we're going to be cooking. So is it going to be like?
Speaker 2:
Okay. So okay, so we're cooking right, so like is it going to be like in your idea? It's for boys and girls, men and women.
Speaker 3:
You know, I'm a mother of two boys, and that's very important to me because when you think about it you know boxers jump and a lot of other athletes jump, and so I just want to kind of encompass all of that. So, all genders, you know what I mean, all ages, and even I like to potentially include, like people with disabilities, or quote unquote, disabilities.
Speaker 2:
So yeah, I want to make it all inclusive as much as possible, that's what's up. That's what's up. Okay, so give me your favorite moments.
Speaker 3:
Oh man In the Melanated.
Speaker 2:
Jump.
Speaker 1:
Squad. My favorite moment is always personally with the children that can't jump. And then they learn how to jump and then they can't stop jumping. But at first they were like I can't do it, I can't do it. And then they get it, and then they love it and then they don't want to stop.
Speaker 2:
I'm going to finish what I was about to say.
Speaker 1:
But they love it and that's my favorite moment just to see the joy in their faces when they've learned and experienced that they can do double judge. And then you know that I'll stay with them forever because that's how we learned and now we can pick it up as adults, anywhere you know, like riding a bike. For sure, it's a good moment, for sure.
Speaker 3:
I will say moment for sure. I would say I have a few. Okay, tell us. Okay. Here I would have to say I think the event where we met yeah, that was a pretty dope experience.
Speaker 3:
Um, it was a large event put on by the getty center and they had like pop-up uh museum exhibitions throughout la county and so we were included in the one that was, uh, hosted at crenshaw or for the Crenshaw area, and so that was a pretty big big deal for me. You know what I mean, so that was really cool. I would have to say Private School Village.
Speaker 3:
That's a pretty big organization and they have shown a light on us that, I feel like, has just like kept getting brighter, has just like kept getting brighter, and so every time that we kind of encountered their village, it's really dope to kind of like see the kids that we've mentored or just you know we're. We're getting to see them grow you know what I mean as we grow. So that's pretty cool. And then I think this is pretty dope Like this is my first experience at a podcast or whatever, and so this is just like making history.
Speaker 3:
You know podcast or whatever, and so this is just like making history.
Speaker 2:
You know what I mean For our organization. I think it cause I had a, so I I'm gonna show y'all the video. People in YouTube, I have ran into them, or I'm in Leimert park you know, their, their hub.
Speaker 3:
Um I was shopping.
Speaker 2:
I had like I was shopping.
Speaker 3:
I was shopping.
Speaker 2:
I was like ooh, black on business, black on business you know, whatever. And I remember before I saw you guys there. I remember seeing y'all online because I like double dutch.
Speaker 1:
Like. I like double dutch, I like skating, so I follow mostly all the jump pages, all the skating pages right.
Speaker 3:
So I saw you guys and I'm going to post it y'all I'm going to post the video of me jumping and I did good, and that was the first time I jumped and you were wearing a dress, yeah, and I hadn't jumped, I would have said what am I 35?
Speaker 2:
I want to say, I don't think I've jumped in 20 years before that day, not like double dutch not. I mean, I don't know for exercise, but like double dutch so I was just like I felt like a kid.
Speaker 2:
I felt like a kid, it was so much fun. So, like, how, um, is your organization typically funded? Like, do you I felt like a kid, it was so much fun. So, like, how is your organization typically funded? Like, do you guys, like, do like community service events? I mean fundraising events. Or like, do you guys have sponsors? Because, look, let me tell you, we're going to talk to the people.
Speaker 3:
We working on that, we got to fund our community. Whoever will want to sponsor us or donate. You know we're very much open to that. It's very much grassroots. At this point we're kind of self-funded. I am working on getting all my paperwork in order. I have established this as a 501c3 nonprofit but there's some fine tuning I need to do. I kind of was doing most of the legwork on my own, so it's a learning process for me at this point. But she's actually my treasurer, so you know what I mean and we're just trying to like go for the gusto.
Speaker 2:
Talk to them. They looking for people you got to support each other, all donations, all assistance Melanated Jump Squad on pretty much all platforms Cash App.
Speaker 3:
you know what I mean Instagram, facebook however you want to reach out so, alright, so what we were talking about.
Speaker 2:
So you talked about how you guys double dutched as kids, right?
Speaker 1:
oh, let me tell you what I was going to tell you about the kids before I forget you said, my kids are scared.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, we scared. You remember getting popped with?
Speaker 1:
the ropes, yeah, yeah. I will never forget, though, getting your first lit with the cable is probably worse than your mama beating your butt. It is because you get that whip on you but see, that's how you learn how to pick up your feet, right?
Speaker 2:
True, and it was a thing, it was a cultural thing, right? You wait for the cable man and wait for the cable man.
Speaker 1:
And I'm just a cable man. Can I get some rope?
Speaker 2:
And they would be so quick to cut us this rope, oh wow.
Speaker 1:
I didn't even know what a rope came from.
Speaker 2:
Did you ever go to?
Speaker 3:
the cable man. No, we used the actual telephone cords. You know how you plug them in the wall, oh yeah, in the house. So the long ones, yeah, and cut them.
Speaker 2:
It was the cable guys, the P-S-E-N-G, that's jerseys, oh wow, p-s-e-n-g. And when they would come around in the trucks they would be fixing the wire and they'd have it on the truck.
Speaker 1:
And it'd be like this, that's love.
Speaker 2:
I don't think they would do it now, but back in the 90s they was cutting rope for us. I think about it. That's how none of them got fired For missing inventory or supporting a local double dutch crew.
Speaker 3:
Keeping the kids off the streets.
Speaker 2:
So what is your approach To teaching one how to double dutch If they do not know how?
Speaker 3:
I think First is just kind of like to teaching one how to double dutch if they do not know how. I think first is just kind of like instilling the confidence because, like you said, there is like a natural fear. There's two ropes turning simultaneously and you're kind of like whoa, like what's going on? How do I even start?
Speaker 3:
And so even if we have to break it down to maybe just a single rope, just to kind of get them in the groove and get that beat going, you know what I mean? It's all Really. So I think that's the first step is like just building the confidence, kind of giving them a tutorial outside of the ropes, or maybe just giving them an example of what it actually looks like in real time and then breaking it down slowly from there. So there's different methodologies that I feel like we use.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, and then once they get in the rope, like once they get the rhythm and get in the rope, then I think it's best to start with like two feet, like bunny hopping double time so.
Speaker 2:
But you know what's funny? When I was learning bunny hopping was hardest yeah, it was harder for me, you think so it was harder for me. I don't know why it was harder for me, but it was something about, maybe, the way my brain worked. It was like if I'm jumping single rope, then I can do one. But if I'm doing I it's just I don't know. I mean, I know how to do it now.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I don't think I learned bunny hopping either, though, because I had to learn how to bunny hop. Right, I had to learn how to bunny hop, yeah, and then you got the right there, and then I remember when I first learned how to jump in from inside already. Like in front of the person that's turning around. Oh yeah.
Speaker 3:
I didn't learn that until I got grown. No, I learned that it took a while.
Speaker 2:
It was definitely one of those tricks. You took a couple tries and once you got it, but that was very distinctive.
Speaker 1:
On a good turner yes, Because, let me tell you something, turning is not created equally and it's like spades right If you can't play.
Speaker 2:
You can't turn Because it's lazy turners Like I can't jump properly. If you're not turning properly, it don't even work.
Speaker 1:
Or people that turn it off.
Speaker 3:
beat that was the one Listen, turn and double. No shade, you know what I'm saying. But yeah, that's I mean, it's everything.
Speaker 2:
Well, I mean that's something to think about when you, in these competitions, who the strongest turn is, who got the arms and who can turn good together, because some people can turn, but then maybe they don't turn good with another person Right. See, I couldn't do. You know, like the lopsided one, like the short one, it was a tall person Like y'all can't turn to it.
Speaker 1:
It don't work. It don't work.
Speaker 2:
It don't work. Look at the arch Like we fly over here. We're over there. No, it's aerodynamics. For real Like if that have you guys? Have you all seen like a difference in how, like the squad has affected people, especially in your community? Like that's a big thing being able to give back to your community and you know something different? Like just to say, hey, come exercise, come play.
Speaker 1:
You use the word play yeah, and I think that's important.
Speaker 2:
So like how has that been for you? Like being being that, you're like I guess you said you were grassroots like up and coming in the community as becoming a staple, because I see people post you guys all the time. That's love.
Speaker 3:
I love that because there's so much going on that I'm like I don't even know how people find us these days. But I love that they're. You know we're popping up everywhere, but I guess I would just say it's really humbling and it's a beautiful thing to see, like mothers and their children being able to jump, like women that are usually within our age range, that have the same memories that we had or experiences, and their kids know nothing about it, and so it's a way for, you know, to kind of bridge that gap. You know it brings joy it just brings them closer.
Speaker 3:
So I think that's been the biggest thing that I've seen in terms of like community, um, and let me not forget to shout out queen amina, because she was the one that gave us our first space to actually jump right in front of her shop that's in lemur park. So that was during the pandemic, when the streets were kind of closed off and everything was just very, you know, um space down yeah, like a ghost town and she, without any hesitation, like showed us so much love, didn't like charge us, you know what I mean, did she?
Speaker 3:
jump, she jumped, she jumped. So just when you say community, that's like evident, of like we probably would never have even gotten this far had it not been for that seed that was planted. You know what I mean. So just those things kind of come to mind.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, Well, that's amazing. I mean, I feel it with this show. For me, it was very important to highlight the things that are going around, not only in the world for black women, black people, black communities. It's so nice to see that people are going out their way for the betterment of our people. Whatever form whatever shape that they decide to choose. I think Double Dutch is amazing to even have been brought to the table, because for a while it's almost a forgotten art.
Speaker 1:
It is right, but it really is an art.
Speaker 2:
It is, it's an art form, and it's not the easiest thing to do, but once you get it it's very addicting.
Speaker 1:
You got it and it's fun, you don't?
Speaker 3:
want to's fun. It's intense, it's a workout, but I also kind of like to highlight that it's a sport and I don't know if many people know, but it's actually going to be in the Olympics.
Speaker 2:
So get your feet ready get your feet ready.
Speaker 3:
But yeah, it's serious.
Speaker 2:
But it also reminds me. It also brings me back to a memory like drill teams, oh, man oh competition. Like where did they go Diamond?
Speaker 1:
Oh, I was so bad, I couldn't do it.
Speaker 2:
They wouldn't let me on. I tried so bad. It was two. It was the hollow cadets, and there't let me on. I tried so bad, there was two. There was two. It was what was in my job, it was the hollow cadets. And there was what was the other one, and it was a big one. The other one was a big one too.
Speaker 2:
Anyway, people by Jersey, don't get me, I forgot Put it in the comments, but like it's back and realize, like because it does bring you back, because you forget about them yeah, like you don't see it, if you don't see it, you forget about it, and I think that also, too, is a cultural tradition, most definitely, like people have to understand, like for those that don't know what double dutch is or what double dutch means to the culture, it is a big cultural thing. Um, that we would go outside, we would our friends got your rope behind your back.
Speaker 1:
We at the park.
Speaker 2:
We on the basketball court.
Speaker 3:
Yes, yes, it's a real cultural thing To the streetlights came on To.
Speaker 2:
The streetlights came on, and sometimes after and sometimes after.
Speaker 1:
Yes, First, it was summertime, and the summer it was hot outside.
Speaker 2:
Yes, we out there till nine o'clock. Yes, it was that, and the pool pool Be out there too long Water fights. Is there anything? You guys want to say or a message you guys want to send. I love to end my shows with a message to either the viewers, to your younger self, or just people out in general. If you had a message to give about your organization and how you want to bring it to the world, what would you say to them?
Speaker 3:
I think our mission kind of states, you know, the majority of what I I try to convey through the art, Um, and it's just really highlighting, like, the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing you know what I mean we go through so much in our day-to-day lives. It's actually interesting so much in our day-to-day lives. It's actually interesting, Um, when we first were supposed to shoot um, between the time from then till now I had some mental health issues that I was dealing with and so it gave me that time to kind of get that mental clarity, um, and kind of refocus on my purpose, Um. So I think that's like the biggest thing for me and just remembering what brings you joy, you know whatever that is, you know whatever form of expression that you feel is necessary for you Do that. You know what I mean and, yeah, I think that's that's pretty much it for me.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, and I would say, like the message would be to have fun and enjoy your time here. We only have this life, and so, yeah, yeah, enjoy that.
Speaker 2:
Well, I want to say thank you, ladies, for coming on the show.
Speaker 1:
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2:
Thank you for having us Of course, of course, and y'all, and if y'all have any questions, you guys want to get in contact with the Melanated Jump Squad.
Speaker 3:
I truly truly suggest go follow them. Please tell them where they can find you guys. We're pretty popular on Instagram these days.
Speaker 1:
So I hear, and our.
Speaker 3:
Instagram handle would be Melanated Jump Squad, that's M-E-L-A N-A-T-E-D Jump Squad. We're also on Facebook. We have a website which is MelanatedJScom, and, yeah, that's pretty much it okay.
Speaker 2:
Well, there you have it, guys. Please like, subscribe, share. If you have any questions for these ladies or you want to know how to find these ladies, you can come to Desert, that's All. Or you can go to Melanated Jump Squad and you know, we'll get the connections alright and that's it, that's all. Desert, that's All, is written by me, casey Carnage, and produced by myself and Rick Barrio-Dill. Associate producer, brie Corey. Assistant producer Larissa Donahoe, audio and video engineering and studio facilities provided by Slap Studios LA, with distribution through our collective for social progress and cultural expression, slap the Network. If you have any ideas for a show you want to hear or see, please email us at info at slapthepowercom and, as always, go to dazitdassallcom and sign up there to make sure you will never miss a thing. See you next show.
