Say it loud

I’m late and I’m proud. We missed Black History month, but this board is a good excuse to wrap up some loose links I was trying to figure out what to do with. It’s a limited edition skateboard collaboration between WRG Magazine and Series Skateboards. The crossword answers are all black skaters. I can say “black” because it’s not African American History month. Only 100 decks were produced, and some still appear to be available. You can try out the crossword online in a slick presentation with clickable video cheats. Nice touch. They are giving a board away with a raffle donation. Although the deadline has passed, the links are still active. I can’t seem to find a picture of the deck anywhere besides my original source, Josh Spear.

I’ve been sitting on this Washington City Paper article about Darren Harper for a year. I couldn’t figure out what to say about it immediately so it got lost in the shuffle. I had forgotten about it until I got an email from his publicist saying “We are very interested in having Darren featured in your publication.” Err.. Ok. have you read our “publication?” Part of the press kit contained the Washington City Paper article above and an intervie in Scheme Magazine. I couldn’t find the interview online, but I did find two Stevie Williams pieces. There’s a Darren Harper video after the jump.

Darren Harper

So Travis Barker has a clothing comapny called Famous Stars and Straps, and Darren is on the team.

More from the publicist:

On a career leave Darren has been skating for over 15 years and has proven that is not your average skater. With his hip hop flare and rebellious attitude and swag. He has paved the way for African-American skaters and has still found time in his busy schedule to give back to the community as well. Darren is hands on with the ” Make-A-Wish” foundation and ROOT (Reaching Out to Other Together) a non-profit organization that launched “Guns Aside” a campaign to reduce gun violence and homicides in the District of Columbia.

The publicist (Trendsetter PR) doesn’t appear to have a web site (get one!) or I’d link to more info like the missing online versions of the interviews in the press kit. I couldn’t find anything online for ROOT either, until I realized they (Trendsetter) had misspelled it. Darren, I think you need to reconsider your publicist. But then again, she did manage to get you some coveted (?) coverage on Skate and Annoy, which takes a lot of savvy.

Famous Stars and Straps video

And wrapping up Late Black History Month, an interview with Karl Watson in San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper.