BLACK HISTORY MONTH: A CONVERSATION WITH GABRIEL FARAND
Community /
February 2022
?fmt=jpeg&qlt=70&resMode=bisharp&fit=crop,1&op_usm=0.6,0.6,8&wid=2000&hei=2500)
?fmt=jpeg&qlt=70&resMode=bisharp&fit=crop,1&op_usm=0.6,0.6,8&wid=2000&hei=1125)
This Black History Month, Levi’s® is shining a spotlight on Canadian changemakers who are making their mark on history. They prove that there is inherent power in being your authentic self.
In part one, we spoke with Elladj Baldé, a professional figure skater and social media sensation whose choreography captured the hearts of people around the world. As part of this multi-blog series, we asked Elladj to nominate someone who inspires him. Elladj nominated 20-year-old competitive figure skater, Gabriel Farand.
Elladj met Gabriel when he was only 12 years old. At the time, Gabriel was recovering from an injury and began working with Elladj and the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance. It was through this program that Gabriel found a community to inspire and motivate him to work harder and dream bigger. Now, Gabriel is following in the footsteps of some of Canada’s best figure skaters, with a dream of one day making it to the Olympics.
Dive in to learn more about Gabriel’s story and how he hopes to change the future of figure skating for generations to come.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO FIGURE SKATING?
I learned to skate at age three and began playing hockey when I was six years old. In the 7th grade, I started at a new school and didn’t know anyone. I didn’t want to spend my lunches alone so started joining my sister for skating practice at our local rink.
I didn’t enjoy it at first. My mom was hesitant to get me a pair of figure skates because she didn’t think I would stick with it, so instead, I would practice in my hockey skates. The more I practiced and learned about the sport, the more I fell in love with it. Now, almost 15 years later, I can say that figure skating is one of my biggest passions and I don’t know where I would be without it.
?fmt=jpeg&qlt=70&resMode=bisharp&fit=crop,1&op_usm=0.6,0.6,8&wid=1680&hei=2100)
YOU MENTIONED COMPETING AT THE OLYMPICS IS A DREAM OF YOURS. WITH THE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES UNDERWAY, CAN YOU TELL US WHY THIS DREAM IS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?
The competitive nature and day-to-day grind of figure skating have always excited me. The more competitions I do, the bigger my dreams get. Making it to the Olympics is a dream of mine and something I’m working towards every day. Becoming an Olympic athlete would not only be a reward to myself but to all the people that have helped me along the way. My teammates, coaches, family, mentors…they are the ones who keep me motivated and inspire me to keep going.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED AS A COMPETITIVE SKATER THAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU BOTH ON AND OFF THE ICE?
I think the biggest lesson that I’ve learned as a skater is that nothing worth having comes easy. I’ve faced setbacks over the last 15 years, but I never let anything get in the way of me achieving my goals. I’ve been injured, lost partners and competitions (lived through a pandemic!) - it hasn’t always been easy, but I've learned how important it is to persevere.
SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO PUSH THROUGH THE HARD TIMES AND YOU’LL COME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE, BETTER AND STRONGER THAN YOU WERE BEFORE.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS A TIME TO HONOUR THE MANY ACHIEVEMENTS OF BLACK CANADIANS AND THE LEGACIES OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CULTURE AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WHAT DOES THIS MONTH MEAN TO YOU?
It's a time to remember the people in our community that made it possible for us to be where we are today. As a Black skater, having role models to look up to has helped me in so many ways and I think it’s important for younger generations to have the same. Black skaters in the generations before me helped pave the way, and that’s something that should be recognized all year long.
?fmt=jpeg&qlt=70&resMode=bisharp&fit=crop,1&op_usm=0.6,0.6,8&wid=1680&hei=2100)
REPRESENTATION IN FIGURE SKATING IS SO IMPORTANT AND ALLOWS YOUNG SKATERS TO SEE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. HOW HAS SEEING DIVERSITY ON THE ICE AND IN THE FIGURE SKATING COMMUNITY IMPACTED YOU?
When I first started skating I didn’t see many people that looked like me. Elladj was one of the first Black skaters I ever saw. Seeing him for the first time changed the way I saw myself. It was important for me as a young athlete to see him perform because it showed me what I was capable of achieving.
There are other great examples of Black athletes dominating the sport like Vanessa James (a Canadian figure skater currently competing at the Winter Olympics), who is an inspiration for kids across the country. I think there is still room to improve and make the sport even more inclusive, but we’re on the right track. It’s amazing to be part of that change!
GEN Z IS RECOGNIZED FOR BREAKING BARRIERS AND SPEAKING UP TO CREATE CHANGE. AS A FELLOW GEN Z, WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE TO HAVE IN THE SPORT OF FIGURE SKATING? WHAT WILL BE YOUR LEGACY?
I want to be someone that other young, Black skaters can look up to. Similar to how Elladj mentors me, I hope to do the same for others. I want to not only be an inspiration for them, but also a resource to help them succeed. I’ve had so many people help me get to where I am, and I would love to be able to give back to my community.
?fmt=jpeg&qlt=70&resMode=bisharp&fit=crop,1&op_usm=0.6,0.6,8&wid=1680&hei=2100)
WHAT ADVICE OR WISDOM WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER ASPIRING ATHLETES?
Take everything step by step. Have a goal, and take actionable steps every day to achieve it - even if the steps are small! For example, my goal is to go to the Olympics, but I set smaller goals in between to help me get there. And have passion for whatever you do. If you’re not passionate about it, you’re not going to put your all into it.