Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Tajahnae is making waves in the world of roller skating, thanks to her passion, determination, and commitment to sharing the joy of skating with others. Her story is a newer one to the skate world. Tajahnae started skating March 3, 2022, a date that she has committed to memory because it reflects a journey that has had such an influential impact on her. After attending a skate session with some friends who were adamant about getting Tajahnae to break free from her routine and explore the world outside her home, she entered the skating rink and never looked back. From the moment she laced up her rental skates, and two hours later of rolling around, she was hooked. Soon after she invested in her very own pair of skates and returned to the rink. What started as an escape from the mundane soon evolved into a deep-seated passion for skating and building community.

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Ohio is known for its diverse skating styles, and Tajahnae eagerly embraced the opportunity to learn and combine different techniques, like the local style called, striding, and she is currently trying to perfect Cleveland’s famous skate style. Her journey to mastery was marked by her self-driven determination, as she taught herself various skating skills. Tajahnae says, “Once I put my mind to something, I’m stuck on it, and I will make sure I’m good at it until I’m satisfied with where I want to be.” Some of Tajahnae’s favorite things about the skate culture in Ohio is the intoxicating energy and everyone’s willingness to help you learn. She absorbed valuable insights about the history of the skate culture from fellow skaters, specifically “The OG’s” as she describes them, because they were most willing to show her the ropes and teach her the intricate Ohio skate moves. Stemming from the community she experiences with fellow skaters at the rinks, Tajahnae was inspired to keep building.

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In June, Tajahnae took a significant step in her skating journey by establishing her very own skating crew, the Outlaws. Her aim was to unite and strengthen the Columbus skating community, a city that, in comparison to Cleveland and Cincinnati, had fewer skating crews. Her crew quickly became a tight-knit group where skaters could come together to honor their love for skating, inspire one another, and learn alongside each other. As she was creating the Outlaw Crew, Tajahnae says she had the mindset of, “let’s be together and let’s grow together.” This really speaks to the heart of the skate community, where it is most common to look out for others around you, take them in, and build like a family. Tajahnae is most proud that she gets to travel with her crew, with their t-shirts embellished with a lion on the front through a clothing brand that she also created. Tajahnae fiercely glides across the wood with her signature, “CEO Taj” across her back.

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Skating has played a transformative role in Tajahnae's life, not only as a means of recreation but as a vehicle for her own self-preservation. Before Tajahnae started skating, she spent most of her time at home with family or at work. She believes that skating really forced her to “come out of her shell, to overcome some personal insecurities, get connected with people, and start to trust again.” As a naturally social person, Tajahnae also really enjoys being around people, and so the rinks give her another place to feel electric and in community. Tajahnae’s skate journey had not been for her alone. She is inspiring and encouraging her 4-year-old daughter, Truth, who watches her awe-inspiring skating performances on platforms like TikTok and Instagram and becomes so excited to watch her mommy shine. Tajahnae has also created space for Truth in the skate world as she excitedly refers to her as, “Baby Outlaw” and they often skate together on the weekends. Traveling has become a huge part of Tajahnae’s skate journey as she goes to various skate events across the country. When Tajahnae travels, she wears “The Truth” on the back of her t-shirt because she says, “I want to carry my daughter with me everywhere I go.”

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Tajahnae's aspiration is simple yet profound: she wants to be known for her remarkable skating skills and share the excitement of skating with as many people as possible. She is also very committed to learning as many skate styles as she can, and JB style skating is high on her priority list. Her infectious enthusiasm for skating has already started to influence her family members, sparking their interest in roller skating after witnessing the various places she has traveled to and her journey on social media.

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Tajahnae's story is a testament to the remarkable power of pursuing one's passions and sharing that passion with others. Her skate journey showcases the profound impact that roller skating can have on building a supportive community and individual growth and fulfillment. Almost two years into her skate journey Tajahnae is not only skating her way to new heights but also creating space to inspire others to do the same, proving that our deepest sources of joy are critical to honoring our whole selves as Black women and girls.