After surviving two near-fatal car accidents and spending decades watching skateboarders pushed out of public spaces, Skate AC founder Jason Klotz says his mission has never felt more urgent.
Now, with the help of newly appointed president Rohan Marley, the Atlantic City-based nonprofit is preparing to expand far beyond the Jersey Shore — bringing skate parks, youth programming and safe community spaces to underserved neighborhoods across the country and, eventually, around the globe.
Marley played a major role in the development of a skatepark in his homeland of Jamaica.
“Being named president of Skate AC means a lot to me because anything involving giving back to youth, creating opportunities and building safe spaces for kids to go is something I deeply believe in,” Marley told Shore Local.
Klotz shared that the organization’s mission has shifted from focusing solely on Atlantic City to a broader effort to bring skate parks and youth recreation spaces to underserved communities across the country and eventually, around the globe.
“Skate AC is now expanding as ‘Skate All Communities,’” Klotz told Shore Local News. “The long-term vision is to build parks all over the globe.”
Klotz said he met Marley at a business convention last August, where the two discovered they shared a passion for creating skate parks and safe spaces for young people.
Rohan Marley is the son of legendary reggae icon Bob Marley and has built a name for himself as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and former collegiate athlete. Born in Jamaica and raised in Miami, Marley played linebacker for the University of Miami football team during the early 1990s, where he was teammates with future actor and wrestler Dwayne Johnson.
Following his football career, Marley became involved in several business ventures, including Marley Coffee, a sustainable coffee company inspired by his family’s Jamaican roots and environmental values.
As the son of one of the most influential musicians in history, Marley has long been connected to humanitarian and community-focused work tied to the Marley family legacy. Klotz said Marley’s interest in youth empowerment and skate park development aligns naturally with Skate AC’s mission of creating safe spaces for young people to gather, express themselves and stay active.
“It felt like destiny,” Klotz said. “We’ve become really close friends since we first met.”
In addition to their work with Skate AC, Marley shared that Klotz and himself founded Lion Order – a merch label that produces skateboards, clothing and other products. Proceeds from the company will directly support Skate AC and related projects.
The partnership comes during a period of major transition for the organization. Klotz recently left his corporate marketing career to focus on the nonprofit full-time. “I really wanted to make sure I was giving the organization the focus it deserves,” he said. “We have such an incredible team behind us now.”
Marley told Shore Local that he plans on providing Rastafari leadership – emphasizing unity, community, and giving hope through opportunity.
One of the organization’s first major expansion projects is potentially underway in Hollywood, Florida, where Skate AC has been meeting with city officials about upgrading an aging skate park in a lower-income neighborhood.
“The meeting with Mayor Levy went amazing,” said Marley. “People can expect a top of the line park that truly represents youth culture and skate culture through the vision of Skate AC and Lion Order.”
According to Klotz and Marley, the city will provide dimensions and specifications for the park before Skate AC begins collaborating with architects and launching fundraising campaigns. “We’re super excited to be expanding Skate AC to another part of the country,” he said.
Closer to home, Skate AC is also continuing efforts to bring a new skate park to Egg Harbor City.
Klotz said the city previously had a skate park that was dismantled after being built without official approval years ago. Since then, Skate AC supporters have attended city council meetings to advocate for a new facility. Negotiations are ongoing for the organization to build a new skate park on city-owned property.
The expansion reflects a deeply personal mission for Klotz, who said he spent much of his youth being harassed or removed from public spaces while skateboarding in places like Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Margate City.
“Since I was 12 or 13 years old, I was constantly having police interact with me just for being a youth outside with my friends,” he said. “We were treated like criminals and trespassers.”
Klotz said those experiences shaped his belief that communities need designated spaces where young people can gather safely without fear of punishment or harassment.
He pointed to the growing popularity of pickleball courts as an example of how municipalities can rally around recreational infrastructure, while skateboarding has historically struggled to receive similar support.
“These younger kids want skate parks so they can legally congregate and ride their skateboards, scooters or bikes,” he said. “We need to provide them with outlets for their energy.”
Klotz believes skate parks can play an important role in addressing youth mental health concerns, including depression, isolation and screen addiction.“They need spaces to move their bodies, get off devices and be in the community,” he said.
The organization is also preparing for a busy summer season in Atlantic City. Klotz said Skate AC will once again offer free skateboard lessons beginning in late June, running weekly through the summer. The nonprofit is also planning a one-year anniversary celebration for the Uptown Skate Park in Atlantic City later this summer.
Additional announcements, including newsletters, events and updates on future projects, will be shared through the organization’s social media channels and website.
Klotz said he hopes the organization’s growth ultimately changes how communities view skateboarding and young people in public spaces.“Why are all these kids outside together, people may ask,” he said. “Because they want to be outdoors and be with each other. We shouldn’t be repressing that — we should be encouraging it.”
“This is much bigger than building ramps,” said Marley. It’s about creating a destination and a positive community space for the next generation.”
Although a date has not been finalized, Klotz confirmed that Marley will visit the original parks created by Skate AC. Follow Skate AC’s social media for updates on their expansion and upcoming events.
Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.
